If you're a pesto-lover, then you might want to head to Genoa this March to witness Italian culinary masters and foodie fans alike battle it out to win the Pesto World Championships.

The world-renowned pesto sauce was invented in the Italian city of Genoa in the late 19th century, making it an apt location for the Championships.

On March 29th, 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 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.

The less culinary-inclined can watch the spectacle for free and tie in the contest with a Genoa city break. 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 March 21st-30th. 

Genoa is Italy’s sixth largest city and boasts a UNESCO World Heritage historic centre, over 40 palaces, and a regenerated port area designed by Shard architect, Renzo Piano.