World Chocolate Masters 2026 « Euro Weekly News
Chocolate lovers have a new world champion to celebrate after two days of extraordinary creations in Belgium. Italian chocolatier Tommaso Grollero has been crowned World Chocolate Master 2026, defeating 14 regional champions at the Grand Final in Antwerp.
Race against the clock to create
Antwerp’s historic Handelsbeurs hosted the competition on October 26 and 27, with chocolatiers racing against the clock to turn chocolate into intricate bonbons, sculptures, pastries and gifting concepts.
Supporters waving national flags added plenty of atmosphere to proceedings, with industry publication Confectionery Production comparing the mood inside the venue to Eurovision.
Tommaso Grollero crowned World Chocolate Master 2026
Grollero secured the coveted title after impressing an international jury across four challenges based on the 2026 theme, “Play & Taste”. Competitors were judged on taste, technique, creativity and their ability to turn an idea into an engaging chocolate experience.
Grollero’s design creation, The Invisible, used an optical illusion to explore how our perception of something can change depending on where we view it from. Seen from another angle, its appearance transformed dramatically. Grollero also received the “Best Taste” and “Best Design” awards.
Victory was emotional for the Italian chocolatier, who revealed that he and his team had spent nine months preparing for the competition.
China and Japan complete the podium
China’s Lyu Haoran finished second, and Japan’s Keita Koshimizu claimed third place.
Haoran also won “Best Bonbon” and “Best Share”, while Canadian finalist Jeremy Monsel received the “Best You” award. South Korea’s Sanghwa Lee took the jury award.
Eight chocolatiers reached the second-day superfinal, representing Poland, Italy, France, China, South Korea, the Nordic countries, Japan and North America.
Antwerp hosts a historic chocolate final
Antwerp had another reason to celebrate: 2026 was the first time the World Chocolate Masters Grand Final had been staged outside Paris since the competition began in 2005. Belgium was the perfect host for a competition devoted to one of the country’s most famous culinary traditions.
For chocolate fans and those with a sweet tooth, the two-day contest gave a glimpse of how far modern chocolatiers can take their craft. Sculptures became optical illusions, familiar flavours were reimagined and tiny bonbons were true works of art.
To view all the incredible creations, head to the World Chocolate Masters website.
