The now world renowned pesto sauce was invented in the Italian city of Genoa in the late 19th century, making it an apt location for the Pesto World Championships. On 29th March, both amateurs and budding chefs can join the 5th World Championships, competing to make the most authentic tasting pesto alla Genovese using only traditional methods and ingredients.

The less culinary inclined can watch the spectacle for free and tie in the contest with a Genoa city break. Genoa is Italy's sixth largest city and boasts a UNESCO World Heritage historic centre, over 40 palaces, a regenerated port area designed by Shard architect, Renzo Piano and stunning cathedrals and churches.

The competition will be held in Palazzo Ducale in Genoa's historic centre, where each of the 100 participants will be given 40 minutes to produce their pesto. The sauce must be made according to the traditional methods of grinding with a wooden pestle and marble mortar using the original Genoese recipe; fresh PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Genoese basil, garlic, olive oil, salt, pine nuts, pecorino and parmesan cheese. The prize, aside from the glory, is an olive wood pestle with a gold plated handle worth nearly £2,000.

Visitors wishing to sample pesto in local dishes can visit a number of restaurants throughout Genoa and the surrounding area that will be offering special pesto inspired menus from 21st-30th March. Examples of participating restaurants include: 

I Tre Merli Porto Antico, Genoa- a three course 'pesto' dinner costs from £32 per person including a starter of cheese focaccia with pesto, an authentic main of pesto trofie pasta with green beans and potatoes and a dessert of basil panacotta with raspberry sauce. www.itremerli.it

Ristorante Benita, Cogoleto (a small fishing village a 30 minute drive from Genoa)- a three course 'pesto' dinner costs from £25 per person including a starter of pesto pizza bread, a main of pesto lasagne or fish fillet with a pesto crust and dessert of fruit salad and basil ice cream. www.ristorantebenita.com

For further details on the championship and restaurants with pesto inspired menus: www.pestochampionship.it

Getting there

A three night break in Genoa from 27th -30th March costs from £495 per person with Cox & Kings (www.coxandkings.co.uk / 0207 873 5000). Price includes three nights accommodation at the NH Plaza Hotel, return flights from Gatwick to Genoa with British Airways, breakfast and airport transfers. The hotel is ideally located just a ten minute walk from the Palazzo Ducale, historic centre and Porto Antico.

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For further information on "in Liguria" please visit www.turismoinliguria.it

For press enquiries contact Jules Ugo or Amelia Astley Birtwistle at Lotus UK on firstname@lotus-uk.co.uk / 020 7953 7561