After 13 years, Italy has reclaimed the title of World Chocolate Master. Tommaso Grollero, a 33-year-old chocolatier from Mondovì, Piedmont, won the prestigious international competition on October 27, 2026, in Antwerp, Belgium, showcasing the creativity and technical excellence of Italian pastry craftsmanship.
Organized by Belgian chocolate producer Callebaut, the ninth edition brought together 15 regional champions from around the world for two days of competition, October 26–27. Under the theme “Play & Taste,” contestants faced four challenges evaluating flavor, technique, artistic creativity, storytelling, and commercial innovation.
Grollero impressed the international jury with “The Invisible,” an extraordinary chocolate sculpture depicting an octopus through an optical illusion. Depending on the viewing angle, the sculpture transforms from a recognizable figure into an intricate explosion of shapes, symbolizing the subjective experience of taste.
The ambitious creation required two months of planning and almost four months of testing. Grollero also received the Best Taste and Best Design awards.
Since 2022, Grollero has led chocolate production for DaV, part of the renowned Da Vittorio restaurant group, whose flagship restaurant near Bergamo holds three Michelin stars.
His victory carries special significance: his coach and mentor, Davide Comaschi, became the first Italian to win the same championship in 2013. The two have worked together for eight years.
China’s Lyu Haoran finished second, while Japan’s Keita Koshimizu took third place. Canadian finalist Jérémy Monsel received the Best You award.
With two world titles in nine editions, Italy has confirmed its place among the leading countries in international chocolate artistry, celebrating another remarkable achievement for its culinary excellence.
