PRESS RELEASE
GELATO WORLD CUP 2026 – DAY 4
Special Awards: Italy Wins Gelato Gourmet, Fair Play Award to Belgium. Tomorrow the Final Awards Ceremony to Crown the World Champion 2026
Rimini, January 19, 2026 – The fourth and final day of competition at the Gelato World Cup 2026 concluded today at SIGEP WORLD – The World Expo for Foodservice
Excellence, inside the Gelato Arena (Hall 7). A day dedicated to the final challenges and the presentation of the Special Awards, while the announcement of the Gelato
World Cup World Champion 2026 is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday January 20 at 11:00 AM, at the Cupola Cagnoni – Hall Sud.
Special Awards: Gelato Gourmet and Fair Play
The Best Entrée with Gelato Gourmet Award, assigned by the Press Jury, was awarded to Team Italy, which stood out for its balanced, contemporary interpretation of
the dialogue between haute cuisine and savory gelato, perfectly integrating gelato as a gastronomic ingredient.
The Press Jury, chaired by Eleonora Cozzella (Editor-in-Chief of Il Gusto), included: Carlo Antonio Gentile (RAI), Sanjay Anand (Bakery Review), Luis Concepción (So
Cool Magazine), Julie Van Rosendaal (CBC Radio, The Globe and Mail), Lorenzo Cresci (Il Gusto), and Livia Chiriotti (Pasticceria Internazionale).
The award follows the result of the first competition group, in which the Best Entrée with Gelato Gourmet Award was won by Team Japan, confirming the outstanding
international level of this signature challenge.
The Fair Play Award was presented to Team Belgium, recognized for its respectful, correct and sportsmanlike attitude throughout all four days of competition, fully embodying
the core values of the Gelato World Cup.
Talks, Culture and Vision: Livia Chiriotti
Beyond the competition, Day 4 once again confirmed the Gelato World Cup as a cultural and professional platform. A highlight of the day was the talk led by Livia Chiriotti,
Editor-in-Chief of Pasticceria Internazionale, focusing on sustainability, responsibility and the future of the under-zero world, offering a perspective that goes beyond
performance and embraces concrete, contemporary visions for the sector.
Tributes: Mauro Petrini and Gabriel Paillasson
Two deeply meaningful moments marked the day. A first tribute was dedicated to Mauro Petrini, one of the founders and members of the Gelato World Cup board, remembered for his ability to turn vision into innovation and for his fundamental contribution to the cultural and organizational development of the competition.
This was followed by a tribute to Gabriel Paillasson, Master Pastry Chef and internationally renowned figure, whose ethics, passion and professional vision continue
to inspire generations of artisans. A commemorative plaque was presented to his son, David Paillasson, with the dedication: “His passion and ethics continue to inspire the Gelato World Cup.”
Visit of Minister Francesco Lollobrigida
A moment of strong institutional significance was the visit of Francesco Lollobrigida, Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, who honored the
Gelato World Cup and the cultural value of Italian artisanal gelato worldwide.
During his visit, the Minister highlighted the recent UNESCO recognition of Italian cuisine as Intangible Cultural Heritage, emphasizing how artisanal gelato represents
one of its most contemporary and iconic expressions. On this occasion, he presented a commemorative plaque to the organizers of the Gelato World Cup, Gelato e Cultura,
in recognition of their long-standing commitment to promoting artisanal gelato internationally.
A Summary of Four Days of Competition
Now in its 11th edition, the Gelato World Cup 2026 brought together 12 international teams – China, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Indonesia, Belgium, Poland, Singapore,
Peru, France, Ecuador and Italy – competing in nine spectacular challenges combining technique, flavor, aesthetics and artistic skills.
From the Fruit Mystery Box to the Final Grand Buffet, including the Marron Glacé Log, Single Portion in Glass, Gelato Sticks, Gelato Snacks, Gourmet Gelato Entrée and
Gelato Cake, the competition offered a global journey through artisanal gelato, reaffirming the Gelato World Cup as not only a contest, but a true international laboratory of
culture, innovation and collaboration.
Towards the Grand Finale
The final appointment is set for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM, at the Cupola Cagnoni – Hall Sud, where the three winning teams and the Gelato World Cup World
Champion 2026 will be officially announced.
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