Gran Galà del Tortél Dóls 2026 in Colorno: a Taste of Parma’s Traditional Cuisine

Dates: Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 2026
Location: Colorno, Parma, Italy
Event: 18th Gran Galà del Tortél Dóls
Organised by: Confraternita del Tortél Dóls
Edition: 18th

On October 10 and 11, 2026, Colorno celebrates one of the most distinctive recipes of the Parma lowlands with the 18th Gran Galà del Tortél Dóls.

For two days, this historic town near Parma turns its attention to a traditional filled pasta whose unusual sweet-and-savoury character makes it very different from the better-known tortelli found elsewhere in the province.

The event is an opportunity to discover not only a local speciality, but also the culinary heritage and traditions of the countryside surrounding Colorno.

Tortél Dóls: a unique flavour from Colorno

The Tortél Dóls is closely associated with Colorno and the surrounding area.

What makes this pasta particularly interesting is the contrast of flavours inside its filling, where sweet and savoury elements come together in a combination rooted in local culinary tradition.

It is a recipe handed down through generations and closely connected with family cooking in the Parma lowlands.

The Gran Galà helps keep this tradition alive while introducing it to visitors who may never have encountered this unusual side of Parma's cuisine.

A weekend celebrating local food traditions

During the weekend of October 10–11, the Tortél Dóls takes centre stage.

The event provides an opportunity to experience a different side of Parma's celebrated food culture, moving beyond its internationally famous products to discover recipes that remain strongly connected with individual towns and communities.

Here, food becomes a way of telling the story of the land and the people who have preserved its traditions.

The Confraternita del Tortél Dóls

The event is closely linked to the Confraternita del Tortél Dóls, an organisation devoted to preserving and promoting this local speciality.

The Gran Galà is an important part of that work, helping to protect the memory of the recipe while encouraging new generations and visitors to discover it.

First established in 2008, the event reaches its 18th edition in 2026, making it a well-established autumn tradition in the Parma area.

Discovering Colorno

The event is also a perfect reason to visit Colorno, one of the most attractive historic towns in the province of Parma.

The town is famous for its magnificent Royal Palace of Colorno, whose history and architecture make it one of the area's major cultural attractions.

A visit to the Gran Galà can therefore be combined with a walk through Colorno and a discovery of the surrounding Parma lowlands.

A different side of Parma’s Food Valley

Parma is internationally associated with products such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma Ham and Culatello di Zibello, but its culinary identity also includes many lesser-known local recipes.

The Tortél Dóls is one of them.

Its unusual flavour and close connection with Colorno make it a fascinating dish for anyone interested in traditional Italian food and regional cuisine.

The Gran Galà offers visitors the chance to discover this heritage directly in the place where the recipe has been preserved.

Main information

18th Gran Galà del Tortél Dóls

Saturday, October 10, 2026
Sunday, October 11, 2026

Location: Colorno, Parma, Italy

Organised by: Confraternita del Tortél Dóls

A weekend devoted to one of the most distinctive culinary traditions of the Parma lowlands, combining local flavours with the historic atmosphere of Colorno.