We have the best Panettone in Italy!

At the biggest event in Italy dedicated to the king of the Italian Christmas leavened sweet, 200 participants have shown up. The competition is called “Panettone Day” and was promoted by Csm – Braims of Crema and Gambero Rosso along with the prestigious cooking school Cast Alimenti in Brescia. Among the judges are the greatest pastry chefs in Italy, Iginio Massari from Brescia and Gino Fabbri, both leading the Accademia dei Pasticceri Italiani. Additionally, in the jury are Mara Nocilla and Laura Mantovano from Gambero Rosso.

From 200 participants, the first selection takes place in June-July between Brescia and Rome, where 100 are chosen, and the second final competition is held between August and September at the Cast Alimenti center in Brescia. From there, 20 are selected. The true finalists! From these, an additional 5 are chosen.

Well, in first place for the second consecutive year is the panettone of Giovanni Bertolini from the Casa del Dolce in Cologna Veneta. An extraordinary success for the Veronese pastry chef who took his first steps among mandorlato and the ancient sweet history of Venice.

Giovanni Fausto Bertolini started in the 70s on this beautiful family adventure alongside his mother and wife Patrizia. Today he continues his activity thanks to the support and passion of his children. Bertolini was born among almonds and sugar in the pure ancient style of the Cologna Veneta tradition and later approached the practice of leavening thanks to the support of a great Veronese friend, Giovanni Rana.

The result at the Panettone Day 2014 is the confirmation of the consolidation of a dream and a long activity of research for the highest quality raw materials and a technique of the highest level.

Giovanni's Panettone? A delight, a very delicate dough of great softness. Candied fruits that melt in your mouth, very fine almonds that he also uses for his mandorlato. Ah, a tip, if you can… eat it just warm… it will be an unforgettable experience!