Mostarda Festival

Organized by the Cremona-Mantua-Pavia Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the City of Cremona, the 2026 Mostarda Festival will be a highlight of the Cremona fall season from October 9 to November 22.

The Mostarda Village will liven up the Salami Festival from October 9 to 11 in Piazza Roma, featuring participating businesses and three events including cooking demonstrations, tastings, and creative pairings. The event will continue during the Nougat Festival, from November 7 to 22, highlighting the history and versatility of a specialty deeply rooted in Cremona.

The Mostarda Festival, organized by the Cremona-Mantua-Pavia Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the City of Cremona, promotes one of the region’s most iconic culinary delights and highlights its connection to Cremona’s culture, cuisine, and identity.

The 2026 edition connects two major fall events in the city: the Salami Festival, from October 9 to 11, and the Nougat Festival, from November 7 to 22.

A Cremonese tradition documented over the centuries
Cremona mostarda has ancient roots and a history intertwined with that of Lombard cuisine. As reconstructed by Dr. Carla Spotti, documentary evidence attests to the fame of this Cremonese specialty as early as the 17th century: in 1604, a cookbook published in Liège included a recipe titled “Pour faire moustarde de Cremone”; in 1666, Domenico Auda described “Mostarda alla Cremonese” in his *Pratica de’ Speciali*.
Over the centuries, the recipe has evolved while retaining its distinctive character: candied fruit and mustard, striking a balance between sweetness and a spicy note. Traditionally served with boiled meats, roasts, and other meats, today mostarda is also paired with cheeses and finds its place in contemporary dishes.

The Mostarda Village in Piazza Roma
From October 9 to 11, during the Cremona Salami Festival, Piazza Roma will host the Mostarda Village. It will be a meeting place for the public and producers, who will present their specialties and guide visitors in discovering the quality and variety of their products.
Three Events Blending Tradition and Creativity
On Friday, October 9, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., “Passione Cucina: Salami According to the Cremasco Food District” is scheduled. Students from the Einaudi School, guided by their teachers, will host a cooking demonstration featuring a menu made with products from the District, including noble Cremasco salami, Giuana cake, and Leccornie DOC fig mostarda.
On Friday, October 9, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., the spotlight will be on the “Ciokoburger,” a culinary experiment created by Silvia and Luisa, owners of Tosca and Luccini, respectively: two slices of salami encase a filling of peanut mostarda and are coated in 71% dark chocolate, in a pairing that blends sweet and savory flavors.
On Saturday, October 10, from 6 to 7 p.m., students from Einaudi will present “Il cicchetto cremonese” with the “Uramaki Cremonese Fusion”: a local take on the rice and seaweed roll, in which salami and mostarda take the place of seaweed and fish.

Participating Companies
The following companies are participating in the Villaggio della Mostarda: Nobile Marco & C. snc – Il Poeta Contadino; Sperlari s.r.l.; Salgar Srl; Leccornie DOC by Enrica Maria Orsini; Secondo Vergani S.p.A.; Il Settecento srl – Hosteria 700; La Cicogna srl – Luccini.
With the involvement of these businesses and students from the IIS “Luigi Einaudi,” the Village showcases local products and invites visitors to experiment with new pairings, while keeping the quality and history of Cremona’s traditions at the forefront.

A Journey Leading Up to the Nougat Festival
The Festival will continue in the weeks following the Salami Festival, guiding the public toward the Nougat Festival, scheduled to take place in Cremona from November 7 to 22, 2026. The project thus connects the city’s fall events and keeps the spotlight on mostarda and the companies that produce it.

The 2026 Mostarda Festival is organized by the Cremona-Mantua-Pavia Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the City of Cremona, the Strada del Gusto Cremonese, the Cremona Regional Club of the Touring Club, and the Cremona delegation of the Italian Academy of Cuisine.