Primi dei Primi
The pasta festival in the birthplace of Buitoni
About Primi dei Primi
Sansepolcro, the pasta capital of Tuscany
Primi dei Primi is a gastronomic festival entirely dedicated to first courses and pasta culture, animating the historic center of Sansepolcro, an elegant village in the Valtiberina area of the Arezzo province, in eastern Tuscany. The event celebrates the city's deepest identity: it was here in 1827 that the Buitoni factory was founded, marking the world's first industrial pasta production. A historical milestone that the festival brings back to the forefront, weaving together corporate history, haute cuisine, and popular tradition.
Three days across squares, workshops, and Michelin-starred chefs
The heart of the festival is Piazza Torre di Berta, transformed for the occasion into an evocative green wheat field where dozens of chefs offer tastings of first courses to enjoy while strolling. Alongside the widespread tastings, the program unfolds across some of the village's most beautiful locations: the Cloister of San Francesco hosts the starred Gala Dinner, Palazzo Alberti welcomes the exhibition dedicated to Buitoni history, while Palazzo delle Laudi, the Cathedral, and Porta Romana provide the backdrop for conferences, bell concerts, and open-air painting sessions.
Great Italian cuisine
The core of the event is the presence of around thirty cooks, including numerous Michelin-starred chefs, joined by master pastry chefs and local artisanal producers. The festival offers experiences designed for every type of audience:
- Gala Dinner in the Cloister of San Francesco, a signature menu entirely dedicated to pasta;
- Pasta Street Chef Experience, gourmet street food featuring the great classics of Italian cuisine;
- Masterclasses with chefs, including sessions on gluten-free cooking and fresh pasta;
- Sunday Lunch and the famous Midnight Spaghetti Party;
- Competitions such as Pasta Chef for enthusiasts and the award for the best artisanal Vin Santo of the Valtiberina.
A festival for the whole family
Beyond haute cuisine, Primi dei Primi reserves ample space for families and culture: workshops for children featuring "grandma's pasta," visits to the Buitoni exhibition, flag-waver performances, and musical moments throughout the town. An opportunity to discover Sansepolcro, the hometown of Piero della Francesca, and the authentic flavors of the Valtiberina, where the pasta tradition is a living part of the Tuscan identity.
Primi dei Primi — edition 2026
The second edition of the festival took place from May 1st to 3rd, 2026, across the squares and historic palaces of Sansepolcro, involving thirty chefs and seven Michelin stars. Guest of honor Iginio Massari was awarded during the event.
The program kicked off on Friday, May 1st, with a conference dedicated to women in the history of the Buitoni family, the inauguration of the exhibition at Palazzo Alberti, and the starred Gala Dinner in the Cloister of San Francesco. Saturday and Sunday featured widespread tastings in Piazza Torre di Berta, the Pasta Street Chef Experience, masterclasses (including gluten-free), the Pasta Chef competition, the Midnight Spaghetti Party, and the Sunday Lunch.
Programme Primi dei Primi 2026
Friday, May 1
- 17:00 - Conference "Women in the history of the Buitoni Family" (Town Hall)
- 18:30 - Inauguration of the Buitoni exhibition (Palazzo Alberti)
- 19:00 - Opening with aperitif and flag-wavers (Piazza Torre di Berta)
- 20:00 - Starred Gala Dinner (Cloister of San Francesco)
Saturday, May 2
- 11:00-15:00 - Pasta in the Window, Workshops and Buitoni Exhibition
- 11:30-23:00 - Pasta Street Chef Experience
- 12:00-16:30 - Masterclasses with chefs (by reservation)
- 17:30 - "Pasta Chef" Competition
- 23:59 - Midnight Spaghetti Party
Sunday, May 3
- 11:00-15:30 - Pasta in the Window, Workshops and Buitoni Exhibition
- 12:30-16:00 - Gluten-free and traditional masterclasses
- 13:00 - Sunday Lunch
- 15:00 - "Grandma's Pasta" workshop for children
- 17:00 - "Best artisanal Vin Santo" competition of the Valtiberina
Highlights Primi dei Primi 2026
- Thirty chefs, including seven Michelin-starred
- Iginio Massari guest of honor, awarded by the festival
- Gala Dinner in the Cloister of San Francesco
- Piazza Torre di Berta transformed into a green wheat field
- Exhibition dedicated to women in Buitoni history at Palazzo Alberti
Prices Primi dei Primi 2026
Practical information — Primi dei Primi
How to get there
Sansepolcro is located in the Valtiberina, in the far east of Tuscany. By car, it is reachable via the E45 highway (Sansepolcro exit). The train station is served by the Terni-Sansepolcro line; alternatively, you can arrive in Arezzo (national trains) and continue by bus or car along the E45.
Tickets and reservations
Many events (Buitoni exhibition, workshops, conferences, bell concerts, children's activities) are free to enter. Gastronomic events require payment and reservation: Gala Dinner, Sunday Lunch, and Pasta Street Chef Experience. Information and pre-sales via Terretrusche (tel. +39 0575 606887) and the online box office.
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Where does it take place — Primi dei Primi
Centro storico di Sansepolcro
Piazza Torre di Berta, 52037 Sansepolcro