Competing In The Pesto World Championships

The competition involved nine other contestants from across Europe.

Participants were given rations of basil, pine nuts, sea salt, garlic, Pecorino, Parmiggiano-Reggiano and Extra Virgin Olive Oil to produce the ‘perfect pesto’ in 30 minutes, using a pestle and mortar.

UK competitors included Kelly Molloy, food buyer for Harvey Nichols and Geoff Price, buyer for Suma [pictured right].

The title was claimed by a food buyer from Denmark, who will now compete in the finals, scheduled for March 2010 in Genoa.

“At the beginning I didn’t expect to win, but after 15 minutes it was going really well. Then I saw my neighbour adding too much garlic!” said Henrik Ljorring, purchaser for a gastronomy college in Copenhagen [pictured left].

The event was staged within the annual Olioliva conference, organised by the Italian Trade Commission in Liguria, northern Italy (26th - 29th November).