2026 Program | 11th edition

Genoa | Sala Trasparenza (Liguria Region, Piazza De Ferrari)

• 3:00 p.m. “Pesto Last Minute,” final public demonstrations of pesto and “4 Ligurian Sauces made with a mortar and pestle” interpreted by four Genoese chefs.
• 4:00 p.m. “Pesto Comics,” presentation of the public drawing event “Fumetti al pesto” in collaboration with the Genoa Comics Academy (presented by Andrea Piccardo).
• 4:45 p.m. “Pietro Cheli Literary Prize,” presentation of the prize and announcement of the five titles on the shortlist (presented by Ornella D’Alessio)
• 5:30 p.m. Giuseppe “Peppone” Calabrese presents his book “L’Italia che ho visto” (published by Rai Libri)

11th Edition of The Pesto World Championship

Genoa | Sala del Maggior Consiglio and Sala del Minor Consiglio

Hosted by Peppone Calabrese (RAI presenter) and Roberto Panizza (President of A.C. Palatifini)

• 8:30 a.m. arrival of the 100 competitors, delivery of materials, assignment of places
• 9:00 a.m. arrival of the children and young judges for the competition dedicated to the little ones
• 9:30 a.m. arrival of the 30 competition judges, delivery of materials and evaluation forms
• 10:15 a.m. START OF THE 2026 WORLD CHILDREN’S CHAMPIONSHIP coordinated by Consorzio del Basilico Genovese DOP – Salone del Minor Consiglio of Palazzo Ducale
• 10:30 a.m. Arrival of authorities, guests of honor, and press
• 10:45 a.m. Award ceremony for the Children’s Championship
• 11:50 a.m. Opening of information corners on PDO products by Ligurian agri-food associations and consortia – Sala del Minor Consiglio
• 10:55 a.m. Lollipop choir, anthem of the World Championship of Genovese Pesto
• 11:00 a.m. Welcome address by the authorities and guests of honor, and opening of the 11th World Pesto Championship
• 11:30 a.m. Start of the competition
• 12:10 p.m. End of the competition and jury meeting
• 2:30 p.m. Announcement of the “Fumetti al Pesto” tables that will be auctioned off.
• 2:35 p.m. Award ceremony for the “Pesto da Leggere” competition (Pietro Cheli award)
• 2:40 p.m. Award ceremony for the competitor who has traveled the furthest (organized by “A Compagna”)
• 2:45 p.m. Announcement of the 10 finalists
• 2:50 p.m. START OF THE COMPETITION FOR THE 10 FINALISTS
• 3:20 p.m. End of the final and jury meeting
• 4:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WORLD CHAMPION OF THE 11TH CHAMPIONSHIP 2026
• 8:00 p.m. PESTO PARTY organized by Genova Gourmet, quality Ligurian catering by the Chamber of Commerce, presentation and auction of “Fumetti al Pesto” (the proceeds of which will be donated to the association Libera, Associazioni, nomi e numeri CONTRO LE MAFIE), award ceremony for the “Pesto in vetrina” competition and other awards

In addition…

• 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Information corners on PDO products organized by Ligurian agri-food associations and consortia – Sala del Minor Consiglio
• 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. “Fumetti al Pesto” (Comics with Pesto) drawn in the square by comics illustrators organized by Genoa Comics Academy
• 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. “I pesti diversi” exhibition of imitations and different pestos from around the world
• 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Exhibition of antique mortars from Genoese families
• 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. “Odissea del Pesto”, making pesto in the space with the help of the IIT

• Il pesto in vetrina. Competition for the best-decorated showcase on Pesto and the Championship