Festival of Pestith and Fermented Foods
Slow Food, fermentations and world cuisines on Lake Barcis
About Festival of Pestith
Pestith, the fermented treasure of Valcellina
In Barcis, on the shores of the famous turquoise lake in the heart of Valcellina, one of Friuli's most original gastronomic events takes place: the Festival of Pestith and Fermented Foods. The star is pestith, the ancient fermented turnip typical of Valcellina, a symbol of a food culture born from the need to preserve food, now rediscovered as an identity delicacy of the territory.
Fermentations from around the world
Organized by Slow Food Pordenone, the festival broadens its scope from pestith to all the world's fermentations. The Earth Market features producers, chefs, researchers, and enthusiasts exploring koji, miso, shoyu, kimchi, and other techniques, with live demonstrations bringing the fermented cuisines of Korea, Austria, and Japan to Barcis.
Workshops, talks, and themed dinners
The program combines practical workshops (from mushroom cultivation to fermented vegetables with koji), talks on the history of pestith, activities for children, bike excursions, and themed dinners by exceptional chefs. The workshops, with limited places, require mandatory booking and include materials and products to take home.
A Slow Food festival by the lake
Between one tasting and another, the landscape plays its part: the emerald lake of Barcis and the forests of Valcellina offer a unique setting. The Festival of Pestith is a low-environmental-impact event that combines taste, culture, sustainability, and the discovery of an authentic area of the Friulian Dolomites.
Festival of Pestith — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Festival of Pestith and Fermented Foods, the third, will be held on April 11 and 12 on the shores of Lake Barcis, organized by Slow Food Pordenone. Two days dedicated to world fermentations, featuring the Earth Market, practical workshops, international demonstrations, talks, and a signature dinner.
Free admission to the market and food area; workshops and themed dinners have limited places and require mandatory booking via Eventbrite. Each workshop includes materials and products to take home.
Programme Festival of Pestith 2026
2026 Program:
Saturday, April 11
- 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM - Slow Food Earth Market with local and international producers (demonstrations from Korea, Austria, Japan)
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Workshop "Grow Your Own Mushrooms" with Carlo Marin
- 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Readings and creative workshops for children
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Workshop "The Secrets of Koji" with Nicola Coppe
- 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Disco Soup, an initiative on sustainability
- 7:30 PM - Dinner "Barcis Overture", a four-hands concert by chefs Michele Valotti and Mariasole Cuomo (€50)
Sunday, April 12
- 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Guided bike ride
- 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM - Slow Food Earth Market
- 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Workshop "Fermented Vegetables with Koji"
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Talk "The History of Pestith"
- 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Workshops for children
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Workshop "Miso and Shoyu Production"
Workshops and dinner require mandatory booking via Eventbrite, limited places.
Highlights Festival of Pestith 2026
Prices Festival of Pestith 2026
Practical information — Festival of Pestith
How to get there: Barcis is reached via the Valcellina road, coming up from Montereale Valcellina. The event is on the shores of the lake.
Admission: market and food area are free to enter; workshops and themed dinners require booking (limited places) via Eventbrite.
Accommodation: accommodation facilities in Barcis and Valcellina.
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Where does it take place — Festival of Pestith
Rive del Lago di Barcis