We have the best Panettone in Italy!

At Italy's largest festival dedicated to the king of Italian Christmas leavened cakes, 200 participants showed up. The competition is called "Panettone Day," and it was organized by Csm – Braims of Crema and Gambero Rosso, in collaboration with the prestigious cooking school Cast Alimenti of Brescia. The jury included Italy's top pastry chefs, Iginio Massari from Brescia and Gino Fabbri, both leading the Italian Pastry Academy. Also on the jury were Mara Nocilla and Laura Mantovano from Gambero Rosso.

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

And for the second consecutive year, Giovanni Bertolini’s panettone from Casa del Dolce in Cologna Veneta took first place. An extraordinary achievement for the Veronese pastry chef, who took his first steps in the world of sweets with nougat and the ancient Venetian sweet tradition.

Giovanni Fausto Bertolini began this beautiful family adventure in the 1970s with his mother and wife Patrizia. Today, he continues his work with the support and passion of his children. Bertolini was born into the world of almonds and sugar, rooted in the ancient traditions of Cologna Veneta, and later learned the art of leavening thanks to the guidance of his close Veronese friend, Giovanni Rana.

His victory at Panettone Day 2014 is the culmination of a dream and a long journey in the pursuit of the highest quality ingredients and exceptional technical expertise.

Giovanni's Panettone? A delight, with an incredibly soft and delicate dough. The candied fruit melts in your mouth, and the fine almonds, which he also uses in his nougat, add an exquisite touch. One tip: if you can, eat it slightly warm... it will be an unforgettable experience!

S&M