Dough, flour, and leavening are no longer confined to the workbench – they now drive entire supply chains, spanning production, technology and foodservice. From 16 – 20 January 2026, SIGEP World – The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence, curated by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) at Rimini Expo Centre will spotlight the evolving pizza and bakery industries as part of the leading B2B event for gelato, confectionery, chocolate, coffee, breadmaking and pizza.
Pizza and bakery remain cornerstones of the Italian foodservice industry: pizza generates over €15 billion in revenue, producing roughly 2.7 billion pizzas annually, while the bakery sector comes in at €13.4 billion, all within a context of increasingly selective, quality-driven consumption
Following its debut last year, pizza enters a new phase at SIGEP World 2026 with Pizza (R)evolution, a project designed to elevate the sector’s exhibition and cultural presence. Visitors will experience pizza in all its forms—classic, Neapolitan, Roman, gourmet, pan-baked and on a peel – alongside the latest consumer trends, technology and production processes, including flours and blends, leavening, cooking techniques, frozen and ready-to-use ingredients, ovens, equipment, and furnishings tailored for independent pizzerias, groups and international chains.
SIGEP World 2026 tells the story of pizza through a packed programme of talks and masterclasses featuring leading culinary schools, media, and industry associations: from ALMA Culinary School to editorial contributions from FOOD Ristorazione Italiana Magazine and Italian Gourmet, plus initiatives by 50 Top Pizza, AVPN (Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana), and NIP (Nazionale Italiana Pizzaioli). The programme presents expertise and innovation shaping the present and future of pizza worldwide.
Highlights include:
Gourmet Pizza Masterclass – 17 January, 12:00 & 3.00pm, Pizza Arena, presented by ALMA – International School of Italian Cooking.Pizza Chains Panel: “Pizza, a Global Driver of Made in Italy” – 16 January, 1:00pm, Pizza Arena, moderated by FOOD editorial team.“Codifying the Contemporary Pizza Chef” – 17 January, 1:00pm, Pizza Arena, organized by Italian Gourmet.Slice Pizza Showcase: “The Taste You Eat in Slices: The Future of Takeaway Pizzas” – 19 January, 4:00pm, Vision Plaza, presented by 50 Top Pizzas.Guest Country Spotlight – India: “The New Frontiers for Authentic Neapolitan Pizza” – 18 January, 4:45pm, Vision Plaza, organised by AVPN – Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana.Official Presentation of the 2026 “70 Best Restaurants with Pizzeria in the World” Guide – 17 January, 11:00, Sala Neri 2, organised by Ristorazione Italiana Magazine.
Complementing the pizza industry, the bakery sector reaffirms its strategic role at SIGEP World. While production volumes decrease, demand for high-value products is rising, driven by flour quality, local supply chains, natural leavening and evolving nutritional preferences.
SIGEP World 2026 explores the entire bakery value chain – from raw materials to technology, from innovative bakery concepts to integrated business models for production, sales and foodservice – through talks, masterclasses and professional development initiatives.
Competitions remain a highlight, transforming SIGEP World into a showcase of technical and creative excellence.
Pizza Senza Frontiere – World Pizza Champion Games, bringing together pizza chefs from over 30 countries across 18 categories, from traditional to the most innovative interpretations. The competitions will take place in the Pizza Arena (Hall D6), sponsored by Irinox.
National White Art Competition, hosted in the Bakery Arena (Hall D8), in partnership with Richemont Club Italy and under the patronage of Richemont Club International, celebrating the technique, creativity, and innovation of professional Italian bakers. Awards ceremony: 20 January, 11:00.
The Bakery Arena programme includes talks, masterclasses, and interviews supported by Richemont Club, UIBC – International Union of Bakers and Confectioners, RBA – Retail Bakers of America, and leading industry companies.
Dining and Cooking