LONDON - It is evidently the most ancient form of pasta sciutta that has survived down to the present: Testaroli. The Italian Cultural Institute in London hosted the Testaloro della Lungiana, a one-off challenge between leading Italian chefs to promote the unique form of pasta last week.

 Testaroli claims to be the oldest pasta in the world. While historians have long suggested that pasta came to Italy from China, Testalori has entirely domestic origins within Italy and dates to at least the Roman era.

 This simple dish provided a canvas for the three finalists on Oct. 22 to paint their vision of the dish. The three finalists were selected from an initial 25 entrants of chefs working in Italian kitchens in the United Kingdom.

 The event, designed to promote Testaroli, received a wide variety of supporters, including the Union di Comuni Mo, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, the Italian Trade Agency, and the Consulate General of Italy. Principal organizers included La Rita Azienda Agricola Biologica and Il Testarolo (an initiative to promote this form of pasta). La Rita promotes traditional forms of “stone flour,” while Il Testarolo promotes artisanal methods.

 “This is a unique pasta that we are developing from the field to the table,” said Sergio Pagani, the owner of Il Testarolo. “It is unknown in many regions, but it offers something unique and a healthy alternative.”

 A unique jury of food experts judged the issue and promoted the Lungiana region, which encompasses parts of modern Tuscany and Liguria.

 “This is a product that tells the story of a region and one we have ambitions to promote in Italy, here in London, and elsewhere,” Pagani said.

 A health expert was on hand to promote the health benefits of simple and unprocessed foods such as this unique pasta. The contest was won by Sicilian chef Andrea Jeriri.

 “I think combining pesto with this traditional form of pasta proved to be a very good combination,” said chef Giorgia Riggo, another chef in attendance.

 One of the guests of honour at the event was the mayor of Camden, Samata Khatoon. “Huge contributions by Italians in London and the UK,” said the mayor of Camden, “both of the countries, Italy and the UK, share a special connection,” which she stressed as a shared cultural experience, of which food is important.

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