the essential
The Audoise commune of Castelnaudary is hosting the 35th edition of its traditional Foire au gras, this Sunday September 1st. The event will be held at the Pierre de Coubertin gymnasium. At the same time, a gourmet and craft market will be organized, as well as a solidarity market to raise funds for the Telethon.
An unmissable event for gourmands, the famous Foire au gras in the Aude commune of Castelnaudary returns with a new edition, this Sunday September 1st. Thus, the 35th edition, organized jointly by the municipality and the community of communes Castelnaudary Lauragais Audois, will be held at the Pierre de Coubertin gymnasium, from 8:30 a.m. “This fair is a tradition”, explains Philippe Greffier, president of the community of communities.
“It is one of the few fairs in the Aude department, since, little by little, the number of these fairs is decreasing,” adds Evelyne Guilhem, deputy mayor in charge of sustainable development and agriculture and vice-president of the Aude Chamber of Agriculture, partner of the event. She also recalls that the previous edition had been delayed because of the various diseases which had affected the farms, and that the fat market previously represented “a complement. Today, this market helps young people to settle down”.
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Promoting culinary heritage
Furthermore, this fair is part of the territorial food project of the community of communes and the municipality. This project is built around several axes, namely support for local subsidiaries of producers, the fight against food waste and raising awareness, particularly among young people, of a healthy and balanced diet. “We want to bring consumers and producers as close as possible,” explains Evelyne Guilhem. This fair also allows us to promote the local culinary heritage, with an emphasis on the cassoulet which will be served during the meal – and which is already sold out. “We are strengthening and asserting our gastronomic character,” declares Philippe Greffier.
The Foire au gras also represents a great showcase for Castelnaudary, and has significant economic benefits for the town. Tourists from the south of France arrive in large numbers every year, aboard coaches. “There is an economic dimension that is both direct – the fair attracts people to the city center – and indirect. In fact, it allows consumers to contact producers to order goods later,” explains the president of the community of communes.
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Gourmet, artisanal and solidarity markets
Thus, around thirty producers and resellers will be present inside the Pierre-de-Coubertin gymnasium, as well as on its square. A competition encompassing six categories – duck liver, goose liver, goose carcass, duck carcass, capon and one reserved for young farmers – will be organized, and several prizes will be awarded at 11 a.m.
In addition, visitors will be able to benefit from the advice of local chef Jean-Jacques Paraire, as part of culinary workshops which will begin from 9:30 a.m. He will offer, for example, a recipe for soup using duck carcasses. .
The Fat Fair will also be accompanied by the holding of a gourmet and craft market, which will be set up on the Cour de la République. Around forty exhibitors will welcome the curious, from 8:30 a.m. Jewelry, honey, cakes, cheeses, garlic and even cold meats… Something to delight everyone’s hearts. At the same time, a solidarity market will be held by several Chaurian solidarity associations. Passers-by will be able to purchase various items for the benefit of the area’s precarious populations. These associations will also mobilize for the Telethon.
The fat fair will end with the traditional meal, during which gourmets will appreciate the local products that make up the menu, from starter to dessert, including bread and drinks. This meal will be served by the students of La Rouatière. “This agreement with La Raoutière makes it possible to be part of an educational project to train students,” underlines Philippe Greffier.
