Top Panettone Bakers from the Americas Have Been Selected for the 2026 Panettone World Cup

LAS VEGAS — The sweet smell of victory filled the air at the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) as the Panettone World Cup – Americas Selection crowned its champions.

The event marked the first-ever competition open to pastry professionals specifically from the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America, excluding Brazil and Peru, which continue to host their own national selections. 

The competition featured finalists across two categories — Traditional and Chocolate — whose creations were evaluated by an esteemed panel of international judges, including Biagio Settepani (Bruno’s Bakery), Franck Riffaud (Hilton), Stéphane Tréand (MOF Pâtissier), renowned pastry chef Bilena Settepani, and chocolate expert Nicolas Botomisy. Entries were judged on external appearance, interior structure, and sensory qualities such as aroma, flavor, fruit distribution, and overall balance.

Speaking about the competition, Giuseppe Piffaretti, master pastry chef and creator of the Panettone World Cup, said: “The Americas selection was a success. The passion and enthusiasm of the participants made this selection unique, which for the first time has the participation of the United States, Canada, Ecuador, and Mexico. Now we have the finalists who will participate in the final in Milan.”

Martinez Jaime from the USA and Emmidio Isernia of Canada were the winners in the Traditional category while Flores Torres Wilson of Ecuador and Vielma Ammary Coromoto from the USA won in the Chocolate category. They are now eligible to represent their countries in the Panettone World Cup Grand Final in Milan in 2026.

Held at IBIE’s triennial expo, this landmark event was a showcase for an iconic but notoriously difficult-to-master Italian holiday treat once called “the Mount Everest of leavened breads.” Panettone is known for its delicate crumb, rich flavor and festive spirit. The competition’s American debut at IBIE 2025 marks a major milestone in the competition’s international expansion — and signals a bright future for the art of panettone making across the Western Hemisphere.

About IBIE

The International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) is recognized worldwide as the grain-based food industry’s largest, most comprehensive trade event in the Western Hemisphere. A “working show” where millions of dollars of business is conducted daily, IBIE brings the entire professional baking community together, offering the complete range of equipment, supply, and ingredient solutions and showcasing the newest baking technology—all under one roof. IBIE is owned by the American Bakers Association (ABA) and the Bakery Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds (BEMA), with support from the Retail Bakers of America (RBA). All proceeds from this non-profit event are invested back into the industry.