Japanese chef Aya Okada beat Italy to win gold at the World Professional Tiramisu Trophy, held in Rome. The tournament, dedicated to the traditional Italian dessert of mascarpone and coffee, featured pastry chefs from 10 countries.
Aya, 29, from Ishikawa, caught attention with a tiramisu shaped like a grand piano, decorated with maraschino and amarena cherries. Her creation was considered the best among all, combining the classic and innovative versions required by the competition.
Italian Milena Russo, from Capo d'Orlando, won the silver medal with "Amor Misù," a tiramisu flavored with Bulgarian rose, coffee, raspberry, and pink peppercorns. The dessert also included savoiardi biscuits with rosemary and lemon.
Third place went to Moroccan Simon Loutid. He presented the dessert "Nostalgia of a Boy," inspired by African aromas, with bissap flower, vanilla, and hibiscus.
In total, competitors from Australia, China, Colombia, France, Mexico, Peru, and Senegal also participated. Each had two hours to prepare two recipes: one faithful to tradition and another of their own, as long as they used key ingredients such as fresh mascarpone cheese and coffee.
The final result was decided based on the average of the two presentations.
According to Matteo Cutolo, president of the International Federation of Confectionery, Ice Cream and Chocolate (FIPGC), the event's organizer, the tournament reflects the current spirit of confectionery. "This competition represents the essence of contemporary confectionery, with respect for tradition, openness to the world, and a desire to innovate without losing its identity," he stated.
For him, tiramisu is more than just a dessert. "Tiramisu, a symbol of Italy, is a universal language capable of uniting cultures and professionals from all parts of the planet," he concluded.
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