San Tomà – A Dessert for Saint Thomas

A dessert for the patron saint of Priverno

San Tomà – A Dessert for Saint Thomas is the food and wine event that, every early March, accompanies the celebrations for Saint Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of the town of Priverno, located in the heart of the Lepini Mountains in the province of Latina (Lazio). The initiative was launched in 2022 by the local branch of Confcommercio Lazio Sud with a simple yet successful idea: to ask local pastry chefs and restaurateurs to invent a dessert dedicated to the Saint and share it with the city.

From tasting to pastry competition

For its first few editions, the event served as a tasting showcase held in the historic center of Priverno. With the fifth edition in 2026, the format evolved: the tasting became a structured pastry competition, complete with a technical jury, award categories, and the support of industry partners such as Molino Grassi. "We transformed a tasting into a structured competition," explained president Anna Rita Fantozzi, highlighting the desire to provide professionals with a more recognizable stage.

The creations are evaluated based on three criteria: originality, taste, and use of local ingredients. It is this last point that gives the event its identity: the desserts in the competition regularly feature buffalo ricotta from the Pontine plains, sour cherries, honey, and flour from local mills.

Who participates

The pool of participants has gradually expanded beyond municipal boundaries to the entire area stretching from the Lepini Mountains to the Pontine coast. In the 2026 edition, businesses from Priverno, Pontinia, Sabaudia, and Roccasecca dei Volsci competed, including pastry shops, bakeries, ice cream parlors, and bistros. This is not a competition reserved for big names: the format rewards artisan shops, including those specializing in gluten-free products.

• 2026 First Prize: "Dolce Ragazzì" by Navì Pasticceria Gelateria (Pontinia)
• Jury Special Prize: "Il Dolce di San Tomà – Primula Bianca" (Sabaudia)
• Aesthetic Prize: "Torta Tomassina" by Dolceria La Fornace (Roccasecca dei Volsci)
• Territory Prize (ex aequo): "Torta Adelasia" by Glutinò and "La Golosa di San Tommaso" by Panificio Bilancia (both from Priverno)

Beyond tastings: masterclasses and dessert culture

Alongside the competition, the program includes in-depth sessions open to the public and industry professionals. In 2026, pastry chef Davide Marazza led the masterclass "A Sensory Journey: History of Local Ingredients," while biomedical laboratory technician Annassunta Marazza addressed the topic of functional pastry in contemporary nutrition. This approach goes beyond simple tasting, bringing the public closer to raw materials and artisanal craftsmanship.

Inside the Saint Thomas Aquinas festivities

San Tomà is not an isolated event: it is part of the calendar of Priverno's patronal celebrations, which in the following days include a solemn mass in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, a procession with the Saint's relic through the historic center, and the traditional Saint Thomas Fair, featuring a market, stalls with local products, and cultural initiatives. For those visiting the town of Priverno, it is the perfect opportunity to discover the Fossanova Abbey, a Cistercian jewel just a few kilometers from the center, where Saint Thomas Aquinas died in 1274.

Why it is worth visiting

It is a small, local event, but one with a precise soul: in just a few hours, it showcases the very best of what Southern Lazio can do with sugar, ricotta, and fruit. Visitors from outside the region will find a rare opportunity to taste desserts that do not exist elsewhere, created specifically for the event and often not replicated throughout the rest of the year, while speaking directly with the creators.