World Championship of Genoese Pesto in Mortar
One hundred pestatori from around the world compete at Palazzo Ducale
About World Championship of Pesto in Mortar
Pesto as it used to be made
The World Championship of Genoese Pesto in Mortar was created to defend and celebrate the traditional method of preparing pesto: no blenders, only marble mortar and wooden pestle. It is in this ancient, slow, and patient gesture that the soul of Genoese pesto, one of the symbolic dishes of Liguria and Italian cuisine worldwide, is captured.
One hundred competitors, one crown
The competition brings together one hundred competitors selected through preliminary rounds held in Italy and abroad. In the Hall of the Great Council of Palazzo Ducale, in Genoa, the pestatori - of all ages and origins - compete before a jury that evaluates technique, gesture, and, above all, the final flavor. The ten best advance to the decisive challenge that crowns the new World Champion.
A celebration for the city
A rich program of side events unfolds around the competition: information corners for Ligurian DOP products, an exhibition of ancient mortars from Genoese families, the "shelf of wrong pestos," and guided tours of the historic center. The event, organized by the Palatifini Association, concludes with the traditional Pesto Party.
A heritage to protect
The Championship is also a cultural action: defending pesto made in a mortar means protecting artisanal knowledge and gastronomic identity. The event has helped to revive attention on Genoese basil DOP and the value of tradition, making Genoa the world capital of pesto.
World Championship of Pesto in Mortar — edition 2026
The XI edition of the World Championship of Genoese Pesto in Mortar culminates in the final on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in the Hall of the Great Council of Palazzo Ducale, in Genoa. One hundred competitors from around the world are in the running.
The event opens on Friday, March 20, with readings, meetings, and pesto-making lessons at the Liguria Region, and concludes on the evening of the 21st with the traditional Pesto Party after the proclamation of the new World Champion.
Programme World Championship of Pesto in Mortar 2026
Friday, March 20 - Liguria Region
- Readings, meetings, and pesto-making lessons
Saturday, March 21 - Palazzo Ducale, Hall of the Great Council
- 10:55 AM - Coro Lollipop and institutional greetings; the sprint to the competition is given by actor Tullio Solenghi
- Around 11:30 AM - Start of the competition with preliminary rounds (until around 12:10 PM)
- 2:40 PM - Decisive challenge among the ten finalists
- 4:00 PM - Proclamation of the new World Champion
- 5:15 PM - "An Hour in the Historic Center, among curiosities and shops," a free itinerary through the alleyways
- In the evening - Pesto Party
Side events
- Information corners for Ligurian DOP products, "shelf of wrong pestos," and exhibition of ancient mortars from Genoese families
Highlights World Championship of Pesto in Mortar 2026
Prices World Championship of Pesto in Mortar 2026
Practical information — World Championship of Pesto in Mortar
How to get there
Palazzo Ducale is located in Piazza Matteotti, in the historic center of Genoa, a short walk from Piazza De Ferrari. Reachable by metro (De Ferrari stop) and AMT buses.
Admission
Access to Palazzo Ducale to watch the competition is free and open to the public until seats are full.
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Where does it take place — World Championship of Pesto in Mortar
Palazzo Ducale, Salone del Gran Consiglio
Piazza Matteotti 9, 16123 Genova