La Gara del Biscotto

Bake a Biscotto. Share Your Story.

Bakers made their favourite Italian "biscotto" recipe and sent it to our judges; ten finalists take the stage on Saturday the 17th of October.

17–18 October 2026

Italian Festa & Expo · Royal Exhibition Building

/ The competition

Your Recipe. Your Story. Your Biscotto.

Some recipes are passed down through generations. Others begin with a new idea.

Bake it. Tell its story.

Every biscotto has a story.

La Gara del Biscotto celebrates the creativity, memories and traditions behind Italian baking. Entrants are invited to prepare one original biscotto with a clear connection to Italy and share the story or inspiration behind it.

Whether a recipe comes from a treasured family notebook, celebrates the flavours of a particular region or reimagines a classic for today, the competition celebrates it.

AN INTERNATIONAL ENDORSEMENT

An initiative part of a worldwide celebration

The Gara del Biscotto has expanded this year, attracting the attention of Italian institutions becoming part of something bigger and international.

CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY

Endorsed in Melbourne

Both La Gara del Biscotto and the whole series of Cooking Shows featuring eight Italian Chefs are promoted by the Consulate General of Italy in Melbourne and the Italian Cultural Institute of Melbourne

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Recognised by Rome

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy has included the projects in the global celebration of the Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo.

BEYOND THE FESTA

Part of a worldwide celebration

Through the Gara del Biscotto, participants of all ages can share their creativity and passion for Italian food, connecting CO.AS.IT. Melbourne and the Italian Festa & Expo with the worldwide celebration of Italian cuisine during the Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo.

/ Programme highlights

La Gara del Biscotto & Cooking Shows

As part of the Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo, these two shows bring the love for the Italian cuisine and food culture across the world.

SETTIMANA DELLA CUCINA ITALIANA NEL MONDO

Two programs with international breath

LA GARA DEL BISCOTTO - A celebration of Italian baking open to the public! La Gara del Biscotto invites participants to share their creativity and passion for biscuits, with celebrity chef Guy Grossi joining the festivities. ITALIAN COOKING SHOW - Explore the traditional Italian meal from antipasto and primo to secondo and dolce. Across two days, eight chefs will take the stage to share their dishes and techniques, with celebrity chef Guy Grossi among them.

These two shows are endorsed by the Consulate General of Italy of Melbourne for Victoria and Tasmania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy as part of the global celebration of the Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo (Week of the Italian Cuisine in the World).

/ Entry categories

Who Can Enter?

Registrations are limited to 50 entrants in each category.

Category 1

Nonna or Biscuit Expert

For home bakers and passionate biscuit makers who want to celebrate Italian flavours, family recipes and baking traditions.

Your biscotto may be inspired by a treasured memory, a particular Italian region or your own contemporary interpretation.

Category 2

Student

For students currently enrolled in a recognised baking, patisserie, cookery or hospitality course.

A teacher or trainer may provide advice, but the student must prepare and finish the entry independently.

/ The challenge

What Will You Create?

Prepare one sweet, hand-held and fully baked biscotto that you have made yourself.

Cakes, pastries, slices, plated desserts and biscuits requiring refrigeration cannot be accepted.

Your biscotto may be traditional or contemporary, but it must:

Have a clear connection to Italian food, culture or heritage
Be safe to store and serve at room temperature
Be submitted with its complete recipe, ingredients and allergen information
Be accompanied by the story or inspiration behind its creation

EXPERT ON THE JUDGING PANEL

Who is behind La Gara del Biscotto?

A LEGEND ON STAGE

Guy Grossi: the Master

Renowned chef and restaurateur Guy Grossi will lead the jury as Head Judge and guide us through La Gara del Biscotto, sharing the stories, traditions and flavours behind the entries before announcing the winning biscotti.

WILLIAM ANGLISS INSTITUTE

Room to the new generations

La Gara del Biscotto is proud to collaborate with William Angliss Institute, whose students will bring their skills and creativity to the competition. The Institute will also contribute its expertise to the jury through a specialist teacher in Italian baking and patisserie.

BRUNETTI CLASSICO

The most renowned biscotti maker

La Gara del Biscotto is proud to partner with Brunetti Classico, one of Melbourne’s most respected names in Italian biscotti and patisserie. Brunetti Classico will bring its expertise to the jury and generously provide prizes for the competition winners.

FROM CO.AS.IT. TO THE STAGE

A special expert among our clients

CO.AS.IT. was delighted to discover that one of its valued Aged Care clients, is an expert biscotti maker. Maria may join the finalists on stage to share her experience, traditions and a little of the wisdom behind the perfect biscotto.

/ How it works

From Your Kitchen to the Festa Stage

Step 1

Guidelines

Read up on all the rules and information you need to know before submitting your entry.

PRESENTED BY GUY GROSSI

Participant Guidelines

Step 2

Register

Entrants choose their category and complete the online entry form.

Step 3

Prepare Your Biscotti

Accepted entrants will receive an entry number and instructions for preparing, packaging and delivering 18 matching biscuits for the qualifying round.

Step 4

Impress our Jury

Entries will be assessed through a blind judging process based on flavour, texture, bake quality, appearance, authenticity and story.

Step 5

Become a Finalist

Five finalists from each category will be invited to prepare a fresh batch for the final judging.

Step 6

Join Us at the Festa

The winners will be announced on the Upstairs Stage at the Italian Festa & Expo on Saturday 17 October 2026.

Plan Your Visit

/ Judging

What Will the Jury Be Looking For?

Each biscotto will be judged on:

Taste and flavour

Balance, ingredient quality, finish and aftertaste.

Texture and bake quality

Freshness, consistency and suitability for the chosen style.

Appearance

Visual appeal, uniformity and presentation.

Authenticity and story

Connection to Italian tradition, heritage or inspiration.

Celebrating Italian food culture around the world

Part of the Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo

La Gara del Biscotto forms part of the Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo, one of the longest-running international initiatives promoted by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The official 2026 theme is: “Cucina italiana patrimonio UNESCO: territori e filiere d’eccellenza.”

Established following Expo Milano 2015, the initiative celebrates Italian culinary culture, regional traditions, quality ingredients and the people and communities who preserve them.

/ Get involved

Be Part of La Gara del Biscotto

Chefs on stage at the Italian Festa cooking challenge with judges seated at tables

Saturday 17 October 2026 · Upstairs Stage · Royal Exhibition Building

See the Finalists Take the Stage

Join us at the Italian Festa & Expo as the finalists’ biscotti face the final judging and the winners are announced live on the Upstairs Stage.

Come along, support your favourite biscuit makers and celebrate the stories, traditions and flavours behind their creations.

Plan Your Visit

/ La Gara del Biscotto

Guidelines and contacts

Questions? Contact the competition team at mif@coasit.com.au or +61 3 9349 9000.

Participant Guidelines