Mutti and Coco di Mama's Free Pasta Giveaway for World Pasta Day on the South Bank

Free pasta is coming to the South Bank this month. Italian tomato specialist Mutti and Italian food-to-go brand Coco di Mama are getting World Pasta Day started early with a one-day pop-up at Observation Point on Thursday 22nd October, joined by bestselling author and food creator Emma Petersen.

The thinking behind it is simple: good food tastes better shared. Coco di Mama knows a thing or two about feeding busy Brits, while Mutti's tomatoes are a staple in Italian kitchens and, increasingly, British ones. Between them, they want to get people sharing a pot of pasta, whether that's a lunch-break detour, a pit stop between sights or a catch-up with friends by the river.

Leading the celebrations is Emma Petersen. The solicitor turned food creator, followed by more than one million people for her accessible, health-focused cooking, has created a Creamy Chicken, Thyme & Tomato Ragu for Coco di Mama, a new pasta dish built around Mutti's iconic Polpa. Emma will be at the pop-up to meet visitors while Mutti's branded mobile kitchen hands out free samples, alongside a separate vegan option.

'Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, and I wanted to create something that's properly satisfying but still packed with goodness. Mutti's Polpa does a lot of the heavy lifting on flavour, so the recipe stays simple. I can't wait to see people try it on the Southbank,' said Emma Petersen.

Passers-by can spin the wheel for a chance to win one of thousands of prizes, including Mutti products and merchandise, plus Coco di Mama vouchers and merchandise.

Exclusive recipe and nationwide menu launch

Anyone who misses out on the day can still get a taste. The Creamy Chicken, Thyme & Tomato Ragu will be on the menu at all 13 Coco di Mama stores in London from 19th October to 4th January, and available for delivery.

'World Pasta Day is about sharing good food, and there's no better place to do that than on the Southbank. Emma's recipe shows just how much great tomatoes bring to a deceptively simple bowl of pasta,' said Graham Phelan, Marketing Manager at Mutti UK.

'Fresh, fast pasta is what Coco di Mama has been serving Londoners since 2011. Bringing Emma's dish to our customers, with Mutti's tomatoes at its heart, is a natural next step for our partnership,' said Annie Tonkin, Marketing Manager at Coco di Mama.

The pop-up is the latest outing for Mutti and Coco di Mama's ongoing partnership. Arrive hungry.