Milan to host 2026 Panettone World Cup finale

The fifth edition of the Panettone World Cup is scheduled to take place in Milan on November 7 and 8, 2026, at the Meliá Milano. The competition features pastry chefs from 20 countries, including participants from Japan, Peru, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Created by master pastry chef Giuseppe Piffaretti, the event will award titles in two categories: traditional and chocolate. To ensure impartiality, the competition utilizes blind tastings conducted by two separate juries of ten professionals each. The chocolate category will be judged on Saturday, November 7, followed by the traditional category on Sunday, November 8.

The event includes masterclasses, demonstrations, and tastings. The chosen venue, Meliá Milano, is situated on the former site of the Alemagna factory, a location historically linked to panettone production.