Pasta lovers take note: this is where you’ll find the best pasta in the country
Horecava is now in full swing, and so is the awards season. Traditionally, quite a few prizes are handed out at the hospitality trade show. From the Dutch Best Sandwich Championship to Best Pasta of 2025. And this year’s prize for best pasta, now in its third edition, went to restaurant Viviamo in Woerden. We’ll tell you why this pasta is more than worth the detour.
A large ravioli filled with oxtail, served with demi-glace, peas and pea cream. A dish with just three ingredients—pasta, meat and peas—and a very surprising shape. But it’s not only a feast for the eyes; it also has an amazing flavor. The name? ‘Ravioli de Mariusz’, named after its creator.
Ravioli de Mariusz
Polish chef Mariusz Olesiński is the creator of this pasta dish. He was one of seven participants in the Dutch Best Pasta Championship. The challenge was to create five identical dishes on the spot, on stage, within ten minutes, which were then tasted and judged by a professional jury. The jury assessed presentation, creativity, taste experience, eatability, composition and purchase price.
“Simple but well executed, with flavors that are beautifully balanced,” said the jury, which was unanimous in its verdict on Ravioli de Mariusz. “Both the filling and the ravioli, neither of which is easy to make, are excellent, especially in combination with the pea cream. Winter comfort food!”
Signature dish
Owner Vivian, who opened her restaurant in the center of Woerden in 2012, is incredibly proud of chef Mariusz: “I’ve known for a very long time that he’s a fantastic chef, but seeing him receive this recognition is such a wonderful reward.” Mariusz is more than happy to reveal his secret. “I make my pastas with love. This ravioli really is my signature dish, infused with all my passion for the profession. I knew this dish would be a hit. Everywhere I’ve worked, it’s been a success, including at Viviamo.”
The winning pasta is on the menu at Viviamo (in a slightly different composition), so my tip is: go! At the restaurant, the dish is also made with birra Baladin, the most beautiful (and I dare say: coolest!) Italian craft beer. Be sure to order a Baladin beer to go with it too.
More delicious pasta
Are you, like us, crazy about pasta? Then you’ll definitely want to visit numbers two and three as well. Giovanni Carmelitano of Italian restaurant Casalinga in Amsterdam won silver, while Ennio Zaccariello of Primo in Hilversum took third place, just as he did in 2023.
Giovanni’s ‘Arte Povera’, a pasta mista with, among other things, guanciale, fresh mussels, potatoes and Parmigiano Reggiano rind, was praised by the jury for its delicate flavors and use of quality products, such as the olive oil and mussels. Ennio made ‘Gnocchi della Nonna Lilina’, with a sauce made from Pecorino and potatoes and crispy guanciale. The sauce was excellent in flavor and texture and technically very skillfully executed, according to the jury.
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