The Dolomites are preparing to host one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of autumn. From October 1st to 3rd, 2026, the 3 Peaks of the Dolomites region will host the thirteenth edition of the Dolomiti Gourmet Festival 2026, an event that over the years has established itself as a meeting point between culinary excellence, local tradition, and sustainability.
Sponsored by the 3 Cime/3 Zinnen Dolomiti ski lifts and the San Candido Tourist Association, the festival will bring together Italian and international chefs in one of the most spectacular natural settings in the Alps. Against the backdrop of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites, which will once again become the setting for meetings, tastings, and opportunities for discussion dedicated to the world of gastronomy.
The chef will lead the project Chris Oberhammer, owner of the Michelin-starred Tilia restaurant in Dobbiaco and the creator of the event. The goal of the 2026 edition is to foster dialogue between different culinary cultures, connecting Alpine traditions with experiences and visions from other regions and countries.
According to Oberhammer, the festival represents an opportunity to celebrate friendship, exchange, and sharing through food, while also showcasing the gastronomic heritage of the Dolomites and promoting a local and sustainable food and wine culture.
A meeting between great names in cuisine
The 2026 edition will feature chefs from a wide range of backgrounds. Guests include Giuseppe Aversa of Il Buco restaurant in Sorrento, Celeste Massimiliano of Caffè delle Rose in Verbania, Christoph Haton, awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in Paris, Michael Steiner of Hotel Alpentesitin in Tesido, as well as Graziano Prest, Fabio Pompanin, and Luigi Dariz, well-known names in Cortina's gastronomy.
Completing the group of guests are Federico Kratter of Sappada and Lahcen Hafid, president of Escoffier Morocco, a testament to the international dimension the festival has assumed.
Alongside the guest chefs, numerous local professionals will be present, including Markus Holzer of the Rifugio Jora, Andreas Bachmann of the Leitlhof, Carlo De Filippis of the Hotel Tyrol, Lindi Brahaj of the Miramonti, Daniel Tonello of the Ristorante Helm, and Filippo Zoncato of the Hotel Alpenblick.
The festival opens at altitude with a signature dinner
The program will kick off on Thursday, October 1st with an exclusive evening at JORA Mountain Dining, in the Monte Baranci area, above San Candido.
At over 1.300 meters above sea level, Markus Holzer will welcome guests for a dinner combining Mediterranean and Alpine cuisine. Giuseppe Aversa and Chris Oberhammer will create a six-course menu accompanied by a selection of wines carefully chosen to complement each culinary offering.
The event will be a sort of preview of the festival, offering a direct dialogue between two culinary visions that differ but are united by the pursuit of quality and respect for raw materials.
The Gourmet Walk transforms San Candido into a journey of taste
Friday, October 2nd will be the turn of the Gourmet Walk, one of the most characteristic events of the event.
The evening will begin at 6:30 pm in the center of San Candido with an aperitif accompanied by select wines, sparkling wines, and gastronomic specialties. It will also be the time for the official presentation of the chefs, winemakers, and participating companies.
Participants will then be divided into two groups and accompanied on a tour of some of the town's restaurants. At each stop, a resident chef and a guest chef will offer gastronomic creations paired with wines carefully selected to highlight their characteristics.
Among the participating businesses are Zin Senfter, Picnic, Miramonti, and Miramonti Lounge. The evening will conclude with an after-party featuring music, desserts, and convivial moments.
The Gourmet Walk will feature, among others, Giuseppe Aversa, Celeste Massimiliano, Christoph Haton, Lahcen Hafid, Harry Amhof, Carlo De Filippis, Lindi Brahaj, and Patrick Fadi.
Monte Elmo protagonist of the grand finale
Saturday 3 October the Dolomiti Gourmet Festival 2026 will conclude with the Mountain Food Festival on Mount Elmo, at 2.434 metres above sea level.
From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the public will be able to enjoy a contemporary reinterpretation of mountain cuisine. Chefs will use wood-fired stoves and traditional techniques to breathe new life into historic Alpine recipes, maintaining a strong connection to the local gastronomic culture.
The initiative will highlight South Tyrol's culinary heritage through authentic dishes and recipes that tell the story of mountain communities.
Among the protagonists of the day were Graziano Prest, Fabio Pompanin, Luigi Dariz, Federico Kratter, Filippo Zoncato, Markus Holzer, Andreas Bachmann, Daniel Tonello and Chris Oberhammer himself.
A festival that enhances the territory
The event aims to strengthen the role of San Candido and the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region as key destinations for Alpine food tourism.
The meeting between established chefs, local producers, and food enthusiasts translates into an important showcase for the area, highlighting the products, traditions, and landscapes that make this part of the Dolomites unique.
All events are open to the public, with reservations required.
Full program and information are available on the official website.
Official social media
Instagram:
- @3zinnendolomites
- @sancandidodolomites
Official Hashtags:
- #DolomitiGourmetFestival
- #DolomitiGourmet
- #3zinnendolomites
- #innichen
- #sancandido
