Italian culinary craftsmanship has once again claimed the international spotlight. Thirty-year-old Tommaso Grollero captured the global title at the World Chocolate Masters 2026 - the industry’s most demanding and coveted honors - following a grueling final round in Antwerp, Belgium.
The victory marks a historic milestone for Italian pastry art, bringing the world title back to the country for the first time in 13 years. The last Italian to win was Davide Comaschi in 2013. In a remarkable twist of fate, Comaschi currently oversees the chocolate atelier at "Da Vittorio" - the renowned three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bergamo - where Grollero serves as head of production.
Competing against 15 elite international chocolatiers selected through two years of rigorous national qualifiers, Grollero dominated the event, sweeping the prestigious Best Taste and Best Design specialty awards.
"Obviously, I am extremely happy," Grollero said shortly after his crowning. "This achievement comes after an immense amount of hard work and stress." In a video posted to the competition's official channels, the emotional champion added: "Ever since I was 16 years old, all I wanted was to be here and compete." That childhood dream has now propelled Italy back to the absolute pinnacle of global chocolate mastery.