Cortina celebrates this time of the year with four events dedicated to food and to discovering the best the town and its surroundings have to offer, from locally-grown ingredients to the creations of skilled chefs.

In September, as summer comes to an end, it is time to collect and harvest all the good things ripened during the warmer months. Some of these are used to cook and prepare delicacies in view of autumn and winter: marmelades, vegetables in oil, dried fruit...not to mention that September is the main period of grape harvest! In other words, it is a month many Italians associate with food and wine.

Cortina celebrates this time of the year with four events dedicated to food and to discovering the best the town and its surroundings have to offer, from locally-grown ingredients to the creations of skilled chefs. Starting from a common topic, each of them stands out for its approach, philosophy and atmosphere.

SCOOP is organised by the regional network of cooperative societies for guests to discover – and taste – some of the products of the area. In particular, the products presented  include different types of cheese, honeys from the Dolomites and excellent wines. The public can take part in tastings, show cookings and events that highlight the characteristics of each ingredient and some aspects of its production. It is an interesting way to learn more about the products of the area, what makes them unique, how they are produced and...what they taste like!

The Queen of Taste is a two-day food festival organised by Cortina for Us, the association of Cortina’s shopkeepers and restaurateurs. With the involvement of the Chef Team Cortina and of several other internationally renowned chefs from the region, The Queen of Taste promotes the tradition and the excellence of the local cuisine. One evening is dedicated to the event StrEat Chef, which takes the participants to explore some of Cortina’s restaurants for a dinner in stages, tasting different creations at every stop. This way, you can see some of the coziest and chicest restaurants of the Dolomites and taste unique dishes by local and guest chefs. Another event, usually on the second day, is an al fresco lunch in pedestrian Corso Italia on a table set for over 100 guests. The menu is crafted by the participating chefs in order to present some traditional dishes with a creative twist.

2021 new gourmet event is Genesis, organised by Michelin-starred SanBrite. It is an ancestral sensorial journey to the origin and essence of food, from the ingredients to the dish. For three days, participants are taken through several sensorial experiences linking the environment, food and activities such as yoga, e-biking and workshops. The event is in line with the cooking philosophy of SanBrite, based on simple, local, own-grown ingredients used to prepare dishes that represent a journey through the natural taste of the Dolomites.

Last but not leats, the Delicious Festival Dolomiti brings together great cuisine and sport events in a uniquely spectacular setting. The focal place is the Pala Delicious, the “base camp” of the event, serving dishes, desserts and drinks prepared by the restaurants and mountain huts of the area. On the following day, the Delicious Trail running competition  takes place. Participating runners can stop for a tasty break with snacks and dishes specifically conceived to have the right balance of nutrients and prepared by the chefs of local restaurants and mountain huts. On the same weekend, the competition Delicious Climbing Dolomiti takes place on the legendary Cinque Torri climbing area.

The unique food culture in which Italian, Tyrolean and local traditions intertwine is one of Cortina's highlights. And September, when the town becomes calmer and there's more time to enjoy every meal, might be the best time to explore it, also thanks to these four gourmet events.
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