The art of fine pastry making in Italy has been demonstrated to be a source of excellence, combining artisanal mastery with cutting-edge research to transform chocolate production into a real identity. The 2026 Belcolade Award, which is sponsored by Puratos Italia, is a celebration of this heritage. This year, the award has undergone a format renewal, as it now honors the entire professional career of master chocolatiers rather than evaluating a single creation. The selection method combines the votes of a passionate public with the judgment of an exceptional panel made up of critics and acknowledged masters from the Accademia Maestri Pasticceri Italiani. The six finalists include talents connected both to Turin’s great tradition and to the temples of elite gastronomy. The winner, to be announced in Milan on October 4, 2026, will be granted a trip to the Cacao-Trace program's sustainable cocoa plantations, illustrating how Italian confectionary art improves the entire global supply chain by combining ethics, technological rigor, and sheer creativity.