#InTheLoop | Queens Hosts the First-Ever Panettone Festival
BY QEDC It's In Queens

Queens is poised to become the worldwide hub for Italian bread with dried fruit, nuts, and rum.
The New York Panettone Festival will take place at The Piazza in Long Island City from Friday, Dec. 11, at 1 pm to Sunday, Dec. 12, and again from Saturday, Dec. 18 to Sunday, Dec. 19.
This first-ever event aims to redefine the culinary and cultural experience of panettone and offer attendees the opportunity to taste and learn about the famous Christmas bread’s history and ingredients. Attendance is free.
Think about it. The Piazza is near the waterfront at 52-41 Center Blvd. in Hunters Point South. That means panettone, chocolate, and Lavazza coffee with the Midtown Manhattan skyline in the background.
Plus, the festival has a delicious follow up. Cristiano Rossi will open an Italian gelateria, Santa Chiara Café, on the ground floor of 52-41 Center Blvd. in early 2022.
Back to the New York Panettone Festival. Many of the world’s most famous Maestri Pasticcieri Italiani will be on hand. A list follows.
Iginio Massari: Born in Brescia with a specialty in Classic Milanese.
Gennaro Esposito: Born in Naples with a specialty in apricot pellecchiella from Vesuvio.
Roberto Rinaldini: Born in Rimini with a specialty in marinated dried figs in Zibibbo wine.
Gabriele Ciacci: Born in Florence with a specialty in saffron from San Gimigniano with whiskey and chamomile.
Giuseppe Zippo: Born in Lecce with a specialty in dark chocolate and pears.
Joseph Settepani: Based in New York with a specialty in cranberry walnut.
Alessandro Slama: Based in Ischia with a specialty in caramel and pistachios.
Giovanni and Alessandro Marigliano: Based in San Giuseppe Vesuviano with a specialty in white figs and chocolate.
Alfonso Petrosino: Based in Pagalini with·a specialty in Amaretto di Saronno and dark chocolate and amaretto crumble.
Gary Rulli: Based in San Francisco with a specialty in classic Milanese almond glazed.
Susana and Isabell Nevett: Based in Miami with a specialty in handmade chocolate.
Editor’s note: The sponsors are TF Cornerstone, Lavazza, Santa Chiara Cafe, Caffè Santa Cruz, and Pasticceria Internazionale.
Images: Joseph Settepani/New York Panettone Festival