The winners of Spain's 2026 Best Panettone competition have been announced following an event held this Tuesday at the Barcelona Pastry Guild School. This annual contest, a tradition taking place just before Christmas, saw Lluís Costa from Vallflorida Xocolaters win the classic category for the second time, having previously claimed both categories in 2023. In the chocolate category, the award went to La Roja, a bakery located in Almoradí, Alicante, led by pastry chef Francisco Antonio Villagordo.
Participation in this year's edition grew by 20% compared to the previous year, with a total of 101 panettone entries presented for evaluation. Miquel Zaguirre, president of the Barcelona Pastry Guild, noted after the tasting session that the overall level of quality is increasing annually. The jury prioritized flavor above all else, awarding it double points in their scoring system. Other critical criteria included ensuring the dough was cooked perfectly without being undercooked or over-toasted, checking for acidity levels, and evaluating the glaze covering the pastry.
Vallflorida Xocolaters, located in Sant Esteve de Palautordera within the Montseny mountains, continues to accumulate accolades beyond this specific competition. The bakery previously won the butter croissant award in 2015 and the best tea pastry prize in 2018, both organized by the Barcelona Guild. Their panettone is currently available for purchase on their website at prices ranging from 29 to 34 euros, including a new pistachio variety. The bakery's reputation was built early on, with Lluís Costa finishing second in the Young Pastry Chefs of Spain championship and winning the Best Spanish Artisan Chocolatier title in 2010.
The victory for La Roja marks a shift from previous years where both prizes were awarded to Catalan bakeries, such as Cal Jan from Torredembarra and Oriol Carrió from Barcelona in 2025. The competition featured a high-profile jury including Ton Cortés, the 2024 winner of the World's Best Panettone contest, and Lluc Crusellas, named World's Best Chocolatier in 2022. Crusellas is set to open a new chocolate shop in Barcelona this week, reviving the legacy of the historic Fargas brand. The event took place within the framework of the Barcelona Gastronomic Forum, which concludes this Wednesday at the Fira Gan Via venue.
Sources: El País Portada.