Maspalomas will host one of the qualifying rounds of the Campionato Mondiale del Pesto Genovese al Mortaio (World Championship of Genoese Pesto with Onion) on Sunday, October 4th. This international competition is organized by the Associazione Palatifini with the support of the Genoa Chamber of Commerce. The competition, which will bring together professionals and amateurs under the watchful eyes of judges from Liguria, will award the winner direct entry to the grand world final in 2028.
The event will take place under the slogan 'Pesto and Mojos: Two Peoples, One Mortar,' proposing a gastronomic partnership between two geographically separated cultures—the Mediterranean and the Atlantic—united by a common tool: the mortar and pestle. In contrast to the industrialization of sauces and the widespread use of electric blades, the event champions the value of manual preparation, a shared artisanal practice that finds its greatest expression in the traditional mojos of the Canary Islands and in Liguria in the emblematic basil sauce.
The competition will subject participants to a highly demanding technical test where the human arm acts as the sole engine. The official regulations prohibit the use of creative liberties and mandate the strict use of seven specific ingredients: between 60 and 70 grams of Basilico Genovese DOP, 30 grams of pine nuts, aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Fiore Sardo cheese, one or two cloves of garlic, coarse sea salt, and Riviera Ligure DOP extra virgin olive oil.
For a maximum of forty minutes, contestants must coordinate the pressure and circular motion of the mortar to prevent premature oxidation of the basil, ensuring the creamy texture, bright color, and characteristic aroma of the recipe, which has been documented since the 19th century. The jury will rigorously evaluate technical skill, cleanliness of the work area, consistency, and final flavor harmony.
The competition is open to both hospitality professionals and local and Italian enthusiasts who have mastered the traditional mortar and pestle technique. Those interested in applying and competing for a place in the Gran Canaria qualifying round can submit their applications via the email address provided by the organizers (ligurinelmondocanarias@gmail.com), where details regarding schedules, the exact location of the event and the logistical conditions of the competition will be specified.
