October’s chill brings welcome relief from summer’s heat and ushers in opportunities for culinary programs to celebrate National Pasta Month in conjunction with Barilla for Professionals.
Barilla is offering three opportunities to help inspire the next generation of chefs through hands-on industry engagement. Culinary programs can participate in a national student recipe contest, sign up for a teaching session with a pasta professional, and receive Barilla products and culinary tools. There is no cost for schools to participate.
Barilla’s next-gen student recipe contest 
During October, culinary students can apply their skills in a real-world culinary challenge:
- Students are challenged to develop original recipes using Barilla products
- Judging will emphasize creativity, technique and balanced menu development
- Select students and schools will receive national recognition and branded prizes
- Contest open to culinary programs across the country
On-campus teaching session
Invite Barilla for Professionals industry experts directly into your classroom or teaching kitchen by hosting a workshop.
- Live culinary instructional demonstration hosted on-campus or in kitchen classrooms
- Led by a Barilla food service culinary representative
- Demonstrations will complement existing curriculum and course objectives
- Focus placed on pasta techniques, versatility and menu applications
- Workshops will be scheduled throughout the 2026-2027 academic year.
Barilla products and swag
Support hands-on learning with Barilla products and tools designed for classroom and teaching kitchen use.
- Barilla products and branded materials provided to participating programs
- May include Barilla pasta, culinary tools or branded kitchen-use materials
- Selected products are designed to support instructional needs and student engagement
- Products are aligned with curriculum and classroom usage
All Barilla opportunities are open to culinary schools and hospitality programs at the secondary and post-secondary levels.
Click here and fill out the Culinary School Program Interest Form to receive additional information about the Barilla for Professionals Next-Gen Culinary School Program options.