Pizza Fest

Pizza Fest: Celebrating pizza in Gaeta

Pizza Fest is a food and wine event hosted by the Municipality of Gaeta, in partnership with the Lazio Region and ARSIAL (the Regional Agency for the Development and Innovation of Agriculture in Lazio), dedicated to the world's most famous Italian dish. The heart of the festival is Piazza XIX Maggio, overlooking the gulf, where for three days, ovens, tasting stalls, stages, and performance areas come to life. The theme of the inaugural edition, "A slice of history," perfectly captures the event's spirit: it is more than just street food; it is a journey through the evolution of pizza and its deep connection to the agri-food products of the Pontine territory.

Gaeta, the tiella, and the flavors of the Gulf

The city of Gaeta, in the province of Latina, is one of the most picturesque seaside towns in southern Lazio, nestled between Monte Orlando, the Montagna Spaccata, and the Sanctuary of the Santissima Trinità. Its culinary tradition revolves around a signature product: the tiella di Gaeta, a double-crust savory pie filled with octopus, escarole, anchovies, or zucchini, officially recognized as a local specialty. Alongside the tiella, Pizza Fest highlights the Gaeta olive, extra virgin olive oil, and other Lazio-based DOP and IGP excellences, which are featured in the creations of the guest pizza chefs.

Masterclasses, debates, and master pizza chefs

The festival's format balances education with entertainment. The first edition featured some of the most prominent names in contemporary Italian pizza—including Marco Quintili, Errico Porzio, and Salvatore Lionello—who led public masterclasses, while chef Carlo Avallone guided sessions dedicated to the tiella. Gastronomic critics like Luciano Pignataro, representatives of protection consortia, and television personalities participated in panel discussions, with editorial coordination by Renato Rocco.

• Tastings: Signature pizzas, tiella di Gaeta, local Lazio products, and craft beers
• Masterclasses: Dough, leavening, and oven techniques with guest pizza masters
• Debates: Promotion of DOP and IGP products, food and wine tourism, and the evolution of pizza
• Evening shows: Comedy, one-man shows, and musical tributes in the square

A free event for the whole family

Admission to the Pizza Fest area is free of charge: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls. The schedule, concentrated in the late afternoon and evening, makes the event family-friendly and perfect for combining with a visit to Gaeta's historic center and the seafront. Collaboration with the local catering school also gave students an active role in service and hospitality.

Why it's worth a visit

In the Lazio autumn calendar, Pizza Fest occupies a unique space: it arrives once the beach season has ended and the city returns to a more relaxed pace, with mild temperatures and more accessible prices. It is the perfect opportunity to discover Gaeta outside of peak season, understand why pizza has become an UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage, and sample a seafood-based cuisine that has a distinct identity in the Gulf. Supported by the Lazio Region, the event aims to become a fixed fixture every October.