Tommaso Grollero wins World Chocolate Master 2026

Italian chocolatier Tommaso Grollero has been crowned the World Chocolate Master 2026, marking the first time an Italian has won the prestigious title in 13 years. The competition, organized by Callebaut, took place over two days on October 26 and 27 at the Handelsbeurs in Antwerp, Belgium.

Grollero, a 30-year-old production manager at the Da Vittorio Michelin-starred restaurant laboratory, competed against 15 regional champions. He secured the top spot by demonstrating technical precision and a distinct stylistic vision under the competition theme ‘Play & Taste’. In addition to the world title, he received the ‘Best Taste’ and ‘Best Design’ awards.

His winning design, titled ‘The Invisible’, featured a chocolate sculpture utilizing optical illusions to change appearance based on the viewer's perspective. The podium was completed by Lyu Haoran of China in second place and Keita Koshimizu of Japan in third. Grollero’s victory follows the 2013 win by his colleague and mentor, Davide Comaschi.