Bagna Cauda Day 2025: All the News

Two weekends in late November will be filled with the scent of garlic and anchovies. On Saturday the 22nd, awards will be given to Paolo Pejrone, Gian Marco Griffi, Matteo Piano, Raffaella Bologna, and Raffaele Iachetti.

There's one event that, more than any other, captures the spirit of Piedmont: bagna cauda, shared around a traditional Piedmontese dish known as fujot. This ritual will be renewed in 2025 with Bagna Cauda Day , scheduled for November 21, 22, and 23, and November 28, 29, and 30 , in addition to the second edition of "Bagna della Merla" from January 28 to February 1, 2026. From the hills of Asti to international cities, the world's largest bagna cauda will bring together thousands of people in over 150 venues, confirming its status as a global celebration of Piedmontese conviviality. The event, conceived by the Astigiani Association, confirms its international and charitable vocation once again this year.

A Piedmontese convivial ritual that conquers the world

Originating in Asti, Bagna Cauda Day celebrates the iconic Piedmontese winter dish: a warm sauce of oil, anchovies, and garlic, in which cardoons, cabbage, turnips, leeks, Jerusalem artichokes, and other seasonal vegetables are dipped. It's a collective ritual that combines tradition, friendship, and humor. Each participating establishment, listed on www.bagnacaudaday.it, offers its own version, identified by the famous "traffic light" symbols: Rosso (Red) – classic, "as God commands"; Giallo ( Yellow) – "heretical," with softened garlic; Verde (Green) – "atheist," without garlic. The price remains the "popular" Bagna Cauda Day standard: €30 for bagna cauda, €15 for a bottle of wine. Some offer Bagna Sovrana with a menu that also includes bagna cauda (any price you like) or the "Finale in gloria" (Finish in Glory) with truffle. "Sporta a ca'," bagna cauda to-go, is also available.

The 2025 Bib: "Let's use our heads"

As per tradition, each participant will receive the new fabric Bib , the official symbol of Bagna Cauda Day. The 2025 edition is illustrated by Raffaele Iachetti : the protagonist, a large head of garlic that stands out on the motto “Use your head” , an ironic but profound invitation to reflect, in a time that asks us to go back to thinking with our heads.

The 2025 “Testa d'Aj” Awards

Since 2016, Bagna Cauda Day has awarded the "Testa d'aj" prizes to individuals who stand out for their courage, authenticity, and wit. Following the winners of previous years, from Carlin Petrini to Margherita Oggero, from Guido Ceronetti to Don Luigi Ciotti, the Astigiani Association announces the 2025 winners: Paolo Pejrone , architect and landscape designer; Gian Marco Griffi , writer; Matteo Piano , athlete from Asti and former pillar of the Italian national volleyball team; Raffaella Bologna , winemaker; and Raffaele Iachetti , artist and creator of the 2025 Bavagliolone. The award will be presented on Saturday, November 22nd at 6:30 pm in the Salone delle Colonne, Banca d'Asti headquarters – Piazza Libertà, Asti.

Bagna Cauda Caravan from Liguria to Piedmont

The vintage car convoy also returns on Saturday, November 22nd, departing from Asti and heading to Vessalico, a small village in the upper Arroscia Valley in the province of Imperia, famous for its production of a special, highly digestible garlic. Here, the symbolic garlic braids with anchovies from the Ligurian Sea and extra virgin olive oil made from Taggiasca olives from the Roi oil mill in Badalucco will be delivered. Retracing the Col di Nava road, the vintage cars will reach the Nizza Monferrato winery, where Piedmontese vegetables, starting with the famous cardoon and Barbera d'Asti DOCG, will be added to the load. The convoy will then reach Asti, where the large fujot (a sort of Olympic-style brazier) will be lit in the square (5:30 pm, in Piazza Libertà, in front of the Magical Christmas Village).

Bagna Cauda Day around the world

The event is no longer limited to Piedmont: the network of participants abroad is growing every year. Among those participating in 2025:

London – Pezzana family : Homemade Bagna Cauda, “as God commands”, prepared by Silvio Pezzana and his family in their home in Hackney.

United States – Figulina, Raleigh (North Carolina): Chef David Ellis and wine expert Jeff Bramwell prepare bagna cauda for the first time, with half the proceeds donated to local charities.

Wuhan (China) – Noi Mediterraneo Restaurant : Roberta Menin from Asti offers the traditional version with Italian ingredients.

Shanghai (China) – Piedmontese Association in the World : On November 29th, renewed collaboration with the “Da Marco” restaurant, the Piedmontese Association in the World and FIC – Chinese Chefs.

Tokyo (Japan) – Isetan Shinjuku : Pop-up dedicated to Bagna Cauda with tastings and meetings led by chef Yuji Hayashi and journalist Yuca Yamashita.

From Madagascar to the prison garden

Among the noteworthy initiatives for 2025, the Bagna Cauda organized by the Pro Loco of Castiglione stands out, selling out in just a few days. Proceeds support the Sarah Project in Madagascar , dedicated to healthcare and education for children in memory of Sarah Bergoglio, a young woman from Robella d'Asti who passed away in 2007. Alongside this, another virtuous story: SbAglio , garlic grown in the Quarto d'Asti prison, a project of the La Strada social cooperative with the Dui Puvrun organic farm. This agricultural, social, and reintegration project restores dignity, skills, and a truly Piedmontese harvest.

The alliances of taste

Bagna Cauda Day is accompanied by a grand toast with four historic Asti wineries: Bava di Cocconato, Braida di Rocchetta Tanaro, Cascina Castlèt di Costigliole, and Coppo di Canelli. Together, they bring the authentic flavor of Barbera d'Asti to the world, the wine that best expresses conviviality and roots.

Acciù, and Bagna nanna

The beloved Acciù mascots, made of cloth and bringing good luck, will also be present. The website also lists participating hotels and farmhouses for a weekend of scents and pleasure: Bagna nanna .

Bagna Bacialé: Love with the Scent of Garlic

In the premises marked by the logo of an anchovy piercing a heart, the singles room returns. A fun, authentic, and… garlic-proof encounter.

Bagna Cauda Walk

For the third year, the hike with hiking guide Enrico Panirossi : Sunday, November 30, 12 km, 400 m elevation gain. Departure from Alfiano Natta (AL) . Cost : €15 hike, €30 lunch. Info: trekking@enricopanirossi.it

Wet Bike

Bagna Bike is back, an experience that combines sport, nature, and tradition. On Sunday, November 30, thanks to the collaboration between EbikeOne and Il Cicchetto , participants will be able to experience an exciting e-bike tour through the vineyards and landscapes of Monferrato, with a final stop in Sant'Agata for the convivial ritual of Bagna Cauda. Menus cost €38, with Ruché €15. Reservations: +39 335 7573794 (EbikeOne – also WhatsApp); +39 0141 320225 (Il Cicchetto).

Bagna Caval

In collaboration with Turismo Verde – CIA , horseback rides amidst the autumn colors and infernot, ending at Bagna Cauda. Participating companies: I Salici Ridenti (Nizza M.to), Casa Castellini (Garbagna), Il Branco (Sarezzano), and Cascina Lunguria (Capriata d'Orba).

Wet on the blackboard

The educational project "Bagna alla lavagna" (Wet on the Blackboard) will continue in 2025, promoted in Asti schools to illustrate the changes in nutrition across generations . Students' drawings, videos, and research will be rewarded with educational materials. In collaboration with the Libreria Marchia in Asti , the project is also funded by Asti Agricoltura , the agricultural organization affiliated with Confagricoltura.

The Astigiani Forest is growing

Bagna Cauda Day is not just about flavor and conviviality, but also about concrete action for the environment . Part of the proceeds will fund the growth of the Bosco degli Astigiani in the hills of Viatosto, on over five hectares of land donated to the Municipality of Asti by Banca d'Asti . Every fujot lit will thus contribute to the growth of a large public park dedicated to sustainability and biodiversity. Every fujot lit is a small contribution to the growth of a large public park in the hills of Viatosto.

Bottle cap collection for the “Graziella” farmhouse

During Bagna Cauda Day 2025, the Rinascita di Asti Association , together with Amorim Cork Italia, is promoting a collection of used cork stoppers to support the renovation of the Cascina “Graziella” in Moncalvo d'Asti, a property confiscated from the mafia and destined for social projects.

For more information: www.bagnacaudaday.it