The Constest Panettone Award is presented each year as Christmas approaches to recognize the best artisanal panettone cakes in Italy. Verona is the undisputed winner of the 2023 edition, with Vanna Scattolini and the Madamadorè pastry store in San Pietro In Cariano taking first prize in the traditional panettone category and Riccardo Zandonà with Antichi Sapori taking third. And again, Scattolini finished second in the chocolate panettone category, while Zandonà finished third.
Panettone is the sweet icon of Christmas in Italy. It has always been present on festive tables and tied to a centuries-old tradition that inspired two ancient enterprises, Cesarin and Isca, to hold the contest. Today, the jury is made up of some of the best names in Italian pastry manufacturing, who chose the ten finalists from among the 150 enterprises that participated.
Vanna Scattolini and the best panettone
Scattolini’s bakery won by 80 points over second place, exhibiting outstanding dedication in everything from raw material selection to care at all stages of processing to the difficult management of the sourdough starter. Vanna Scatolini created her bakery in 2015; after working as an employee for 24 years, she decided to pursue her passion, which has led to multiple honors. She was a finalist in the Panettone World Cup last year, and she is an Italian finalist for the 2024 edition, as well as the title of best pastry chef of the year, among many others.
The judges’ explanation
“The competitions are a form of growth for us jurors as well because there is always something new to see, and if we come here, it is because we also need it to update ourselves,” the judges stated. This time, we saw a traditional panettone that had no parallel—something truly beautiful, delicious, and memorable. I also witnessed a brilliant master like De Riso who admired it in a way, blindly deciding which one should triumph.”
