Singapore, July 2026 – The international journey towards the 12th edition of the Gelato World Cup is now underway, following the conclusion of the Gelato World Cup – Asia Selection 2026, held as part of SIGEP Asia at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore.

The Asian selection represented the first stage of the international qualification process leading to the Gelato World Cup 2028, which will take place at SIGEP World in Rimini in January 2028. The competition brings together the finest gelato professionals from across the world, promoting technical excellence, creativity, innovation and the culture of artisanal gelato.

Eight teams from the Asia-Pacific region competed in an intensive three-day programme featuring six technical challenges dedicated to gelato, pastry and chocolate. The competition was held under the theme “Elements of the Earth”, challenging teams to demonstrate technical precision, flavour balance, creativity, artistic skills and teamwork.

The competition included:
● Water-base Gelato Tub – two flavours, variegated and decorated in metal tubs, assessed for presentation, taste, texture and temperature;
● Milk-base Gelato Mystery Box – ingredients revealed only at the beginning of the challenge, testing creativity, technical ability and adaptability;
● Plated Dessert – a refined creation based on gelato and chocolate, expressing the gastronomic identity of each country;
● Gelato Cake – two identical cakes featuring up to three flavours and artistic decoration;
● Gelato Sticks – two creations combining technical skill and creativity;
● Final Grand Buffet – the final presentation showcasing each team’s overall vision and artistic identity.

At the end of the competition, Japan claimed first place and was crowned Gelato World Cup – Asia Selection 2026 Champion.

The top four teams, which qualify for the Gelato World Cup 2028 World Final in Rimini,
are:

1. Japan – Asia Selection 2026 Champion
2. Singapore – Second place
3. China – Third place
4. South Korea – Fourth place

These four teams will represent Asia at the world’s most important international stage for artisanal gelato, joining the best teams emerging from the European and American continental selections.

The competition jury included the captains of the participating national teams, together with two leading figures of the Gelato World Cup: Sergio Colalucci, President of the Gelato World Cup, and Sergio Dondoli, Official Commissioner of the competition.

“The Asian selections demonstrate how the artisanal gelato movement is growing with extraordinary energy and quality across the continent,” said Sergio Colalucci. “The collaboration with SIGEP Asia, Worldchefs and Chef Kenny Kong is a fundamental added value in ensuring increasingly high international standards. The teams emerging from this selection will bring expertise, innovation and a profound knowledge of the art of artisanal gelato to the World Final.”

A key contribution to the development of the Asian selection came from Chef Kenny Kong, a member of the Gelato World Cup Honorary Committee and a leading figure in the competition’s development across Asia. His work has helped strengthen the presence of the Gelato World Cup in the region and foster dialogue between different gastronomic cultures through artisanal gelato.

The project also benefits from the support of Worldchefs – World Association of Chefs’ Societies, the leading international organisation representing the culinary profession, bringing together national chefs’ associations and promoting education, certification and professional cooperation worldwide.

The road to Rimini continues

The Asian selection is the first step in a wider international qualification programme involving Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The Gelato World Cup – Europe Selection will take place from 23 to 25 January 2027 during SIGEP World in Rimini, where European teams will compete in a highly specialised programme of gelato, pastry and chocolate challenges. Only four European national teams will qualify for the 2028 World Final.

In June 2027, Argentina will host the Gelato World Cup – America Selection as part of FITHEP, with four teams from the Americas earning a place in the World Final.

The continental selections form a rigorous and shared international qualification system designed to identify the world’s leading teams through criteria that combine taste, technique, balance, creativity, artistic ability and teamwork.

From gelato formulation to artistic chocolate creations, every challenge is designed to encourage innovation while respecting the heritage and values of Italian artisanal gelato. With the first four Asian teams now qualified, the road to January 2028 in Rimini is officially taking shape. At SIGEP World 2028, the world’s finest artisanal gelato professionals will come together for the 12th edition of the Gelato World Cup, reaffirming the event’s role as the leading international meeting point for professionals, companies and the new generations of gelato masters.