The 21st National Chestnut and Chestnut Flour Competition: Sweets will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in Marciana, on the island of Elba.
The now famous gastronomic competition returns this year to the ancient Elban village, renowned for its chestnut groves, thanks to the collaboration between the Municipality of Marciana, the National Association Città del Castagno, the Pedalta Association, and the Pro Loco Marciana. The competition is part of “Chestnut Week,” an event that will enliven Marciana, Poggio, and the surrounding area from October 18th to 25th with numerous gastronomic, environmental, and cultural initiatives.
The competition aims to publicize the unique characteristics of local products, sparking interest among consumers, restaurateurs, food experts, pastry chefs, and other industry professionals, thus raising the level of gastronomic knowledge and awareness of the potential of local products. It also aims to showcase the recipes submitted and promote their dissemination.
A further objective of the day is to create an opportunity for dialogue and cultural exchange, connecting the local community with experiences from places similar to that of Marcianese.
The entire population is invited to participate by submitting their “homemade” products to the judgement of a jury of experts.
The competition will be held in the Marciana school gymnasium. There are two categories—Professionals (pastries, restaurants, bakeries, etc., from all over Italy) and Non-Professionals—and two sections: “Spoon Desserts” and “Cakes, Cookies, and Leavened Desserts.”
Registration is open until October 21, 2026. The sweets will be delivered on October 24, from 9:30 to 11:30, at the school building.
Two juries, composed of food experts, industry journalists, representatives of the National Association of Chestnut Cities, and representatives of the organization, will select the winners of each category and section. The awards ceremony will be held this afternoon, starting at 4:30 PM, in Piazza For di Porta a Marciana.
The event is organized by the Municipality of Marciana in collaboration with the National Association of Chestnut Cities and the Pro Loco Marciana-Elba, with the support of the Pedalta Association and the Il Rifugio Association, and under the patronage of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
Marciana 21st National Chestnut Sweets Competition
On Saturday, October 24, the 21st National Chestnut, Marroni, and Chestnut Flour Sweets Competition will take place at the Comune di Marciana on Elba Island. There are two categories: Professional, with pastry chefs, bakeries, restaurants, and hotel management students from all over Italy, and Non-Professional. We invite everyone to get involved and participate by submitting their “homemade” products to a dedicated jury.
The competition aims to help publicize the unique characteristics of local products, sparking interest among consumers, restaurateurs, food experts, pastry chefs, and others, and thus raising awareness of the potential of local products. The competition also aims to showcase the recipes submitted and promote their dissemination.
Rules for the National Chestnut Gastronomic Competition
Marroni, Chestnuts, and Chestnut Flour in the Kitchen: Desserts
Art.1 Theme
The theme of the gastronomic competition for the 2026 edition is: “DESSERTS” made with marroni, chestnuts and chestnut flour.
Art. 2 Participation
Participation is free. Individuals, associations, or other organizations, restaurants, chefs, pastry shops, etc. may participate. A maximum of three desserts may be submitted, using traditional recipes or personal creations.
It is mandatory to provide: the name, surname, address, and cell phone number of the dessert submitter, the complete list of ingredients, and the recipe, which must be provided at the time of registration along with the dessert submitted.
Art. 3 Categories
The categories in which participants can register are the following:
- PROFESSIONAL category
- NON-PROFESSIONAL category
The desserts presented will be divided into two sections: - SPOON DESSERTS (e.g. Semifreddo, Mousse, Ice Cream, Cream, Mont Blanc, Zuccotto, Chestnut Cake, Log Cake, Pudding, Meringue Cake, Pralines…)
YEASTED AND BAKED DESSERTS (e.g. Cakes, Tarts, Soft Cakes, Mantovana, Castagnaccio, Fritters, Chiacchiere, Pastries, Strudel, Biscuits.)
Art. 4 Sending the desserts
The desserts must arrive between 9:30 am and 11:30 am on October 24th at the Marciana school gymnasium in Via dei Monti 3.
The Jury tastings will begin at 12:00 pm immediately after the deadline for dessert deliveries.
Art. 5 Jury and Judging Criteria
The preparations and recipes will be evaluated by two special juries (professionals and non-professionals), each consisting of 3 members (gastronomic experts, sector journalists, representatives of the National Association of Chestnut Cities and representatives of the Organization).
The Jury, at its sole discretion, will evaluate the presentation, the taste aspects and the intensity of the perception of the chestnut based on specific criteria and scores indicated in the evaluation forms.
Art. 6 Awards
The awards ceremony will take place immediately after the conclusion of the juries’ work, starting at approximately 4:00 pm in Piazza For di Porta.
The top three in each category will be awarded prizes, and all participants will receive a certificate of participation.
Art. 7 Rights
The participants in the event assign to the Città del Castagno Association all rights concerning the recipes, materials, photographs, etc., including for any publications.
Art. 8 – Registration
Registrations must be received no later than 12:00 noon on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the following address:
Ivo Poli: ivo.poli@tin.it or presidente@cittadelcastagno.it
Contacts: Ivo Poli – Tel. 333.3119780
Download the competition rules and registration form here:
Accommodation facilities in the surrounding area:
Hotel Belmare
Patresi – Marciana
Hotel Sant Andrea
S. Andrea – Marciana