From 1st to 3rd October 2026, the 3 Cime/3 Zinnen Dolomites area will become the backdrop for a gastronomic spectacle of the highest calibre, welcoming international chefs who will gather at altitude for an unprecedented culinary exchange. Coordinated and supervised by Chef Chris Oberhammer, patron of TILIA Restaurant (1 MICHELIN star, in Dobbiaco), this edition of the gastronomic festival aims to be a true celebration.
“With the DolomitiGourmet Festival, we want to bring together international philosophies and the tradition of our Dolomite cuisine in a celebration of friendship, dialogue, sharing, food and nature,” says chef Chris Oberhammer, founder and coordinator of the festival. It will be a rich and intense edition, taking place at the foot of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (the heart of the Dolomites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), set against the breathtaking landscape of the 3 Cime Dolomites region, in San Candido. It is a culinary journey into food through the meeting and dialogue of Italian and international chefs and small producers from South Tyrol, in an ethical exchange designed to send a powerful message around the theme of a “local and sustainable food and wine culture”.
Guest Chefs in this 2026 edition: Giuseppe Aversa – Ristorante Il Buco, Sorrento / Celeste Massimiliano – Caffé delle Rose, Verbania / Christoph Haton – MOF, Paris / Michael Steiner – Hotel Alpentesitin, Taisten / Graziano Prest – Ristorante Tivoli, Cortina d’Ampezzo / Fabio Pompanin – Al Camin, Cortina d’Ampezzo / Luigi Dariz – Ristorante da Aurelio, Cortina d’Ampezzo / Federico Kratter – Mondschein, Sappada / Lahcen Hafid – Morocco.
Resident Chefs: Chris Oberhammer – Ristorante Tilia, Dobbiaco / Markus Holzer – Rifugio Jora, San Candido / Lindi Brahaj – Miramonti, San Candido / Andreas Bachmann – Leitlhof, San Candido / Carlo de Filippis – Hotel Tyrol, San Candido / Rosario Eufemia – Rifugio Riese Haunold, San Candido / Davide di Salvo – Rifugio Riese Haunold, San Candido / Harry Amhof – Panificio Marias, Dobbiaco / Daniel Tonello – Ristorante Helm, Sesto / Filippo Zoncato – Hotel Alpenblick, Sesto.
– The full three-day festival programme is as follows –
Thursday, 1st October 2026 / JORA Mountain Dining – The JORA Mountain Dining refuge, situated at the heart of the Monte Baranci ski area above San Candido at an altitude of 1,325 metres, with views over the Sesto Dolomites, will host a special evening featuring a four-hands dinner. Host Markus Holzer invites guests to an extraordinary culinary event starring chefs Beppe Aversa of Il Buco in Sorrento, 1 MICHELIN star, and Chris Oberhammer of Tilia in Dobbiaco, 1 MICHELIN star. An exclusive six-hands dinner of the highest order, celebrating (across a six-course menu) the refinement of Mediterranean cuisine, Alpine elegance and high-end creative cookery. The menu is accompanied by a carefully curated selection of outstanding wines, chosen to complement each course to perfection.
Friday, 2nd October 2026 / Gourmet Walk, San Candido – A delightful stroll through the charming village of San Candido, beginning at 6.30 pm at the pavilion in the village centre. During a welcome aperitivo featuring selected wines, sparkling wine and refined canapés, all guest chefs, winemakers and participating partner companies will be introduced. Guests will then be divided into two groups of forty people each. Accompanied by Chef Chris Oberhammer and Hanna Erharter, Director of the San Candido Tourism Association, the two Gourmet Walk groups will make their way from one restaurant to the next throughout the village. At each venue, a resident chef and a guest chef will present two individual, creative and perfectly paired dishes. Naturally, every course will be accompanied by carefully selected wines chosen to enhance the food. Winemakers and producers will be in attendance to share the characteristics and distinctive qualities of their wines. The Gourmet Walk will conclude with a wonderful after-party at the Miramonti Lounge, featuring refined pastries and DJ music to round off the evening in grand style.
Participating chefs: Giuseppe Aversa – Ristorante Il Buco, Sorrento / Celeste Massimiliano – Caffè delle Rose, Verbania / Christoph Haton – MOF, Paris / Harry Amhof – Marias Brotladen, Dobbiaco / Carlo de Filippis – Hotel Tyrol, San Candido / Lindi Brahaj – Miramonti, San Candido / Lahcen Hafid – Morocco / Patrick Fadi – Bistro Senfter, San Candido.
Saturday, 3rd October 2026 / Mountain Food Festival – The grand closing event at Monte Elmo (Helm), above San Candido, at an altitude of 2,434 metres, running from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm. This event will reimagine mountain cuisine: cooking over wood-fired stoves, guest chefs and resident chefs will reinterpret historic Alpine recipes, bringing them to the table with artisanal precision and contemporary sophistication. Authentic, original dishes that will pay tribute to the mountains with creativity and flair. Traditional Dolomite dishes will also be served, offering a narrative of the culinary heritage of the South Tyrol region — hearty, wholesome, indulgent and full of character.
Guest chefs: Graziano Prest – Ristorante Tivoli, Cortina d’Ampezzo / Fabio Pompanin – Al Camin, Cortina d’Ampezzo / Chris Oberhammer – Ristorante Tilia, Dobbiaco / Markus Holzer – Rifugio Jora, San Candido / Andreas Bachmann – Leitlhof, San Candido / Daniel Tonello – Ristorante Helm, Sesto / Luigi Dariz – Ristorante da Aurelio, Cortina d’Ampezzo / Federico Kratter – Mondschein, Sappada / Filippo Zoncato – Hotel Alpenblick, Sesto.
“With this rich and appealing programme, we hope to enhance the gastronomic standing of San Candido and the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region, to draw ever greater attention to our magnificent territory,” say 3 Cime/3 Zinnen Dolomiti and the San Candido Tourism Association.
A rich calendar of events across the three festival days, open to the general public as well, by reservation only.
The full programme is available @ www.dreizinnen.com/gourmetfestival
Article edited by Massimo Basile
Editor & Founder