Carlo Guerriero, owner of Cremeria Gelato Italiano in Cadiz, has taken first place in the Gelato Festival World Ranking 2026, the international ranking that evaluates the performance of master gelato makers in the Gelato Festival World Masters competitions. The professional, originally from Veneto but working in Spain for years, reached the top of the ranking thanks to the results achieved during international competitions and, in particular, at the World Final in Las Vegas, where he presented "Sherrymisù³", a flavor that combines Italian tiramisu with Amontillado Sherry from Jerez.
A Podium Between Italy, Poland and South Tyrol
Behind Guerriero was Polish gelato maker Tomasz Szypuła, a long-time international star. The gelato maker earned significant recognition with "HYĆKA – Fiori e frutti di sambuco," a creation made with white elderflowers, elderberry jam, and almond crumble. Third place went to another Italian, Elisabeth Stolz of Osteria Hubenbauer in Varna, Alto Adige, who stood out with "I tesori delle nostre montagne," a creation showcasing typical local ingredients such as yogurt, beer must, honey, baked apples, and grains.
The Italian presence isn't limited to first and third place. In the next positions are Giovanna Bonazzi of Parona del Gelato in Parona and Massimiliano Scotti of VeroLatte in Vigevano. Both are among the most well-known names in the industry and represent a tradition that continues to achieve significant results in major international competitions. Also in the top ten are Maurizio Melani, an Italian entrepreneur working in Spain, and Fabio Forghieri, who entered the "Indian Ocean" flavor, inspired by his travels. Completing the Italian presence is Leonardo La Porta of Gelateria Miretti in Turin.
An Increasingly International Ranking
Alongside the Italian professionals, gelato makers from various countries stand out. Belgian Christian Wu, winner of the 2026 World Final, takes fifth place with a creation combining wild honey, Scots pine, porcini mushrooms, and lemon. American Savannah G. Lee confirms her position as one of the most popular figures on the North American scene with a reinterpretation of Apple Pie, while Dutchman Kees Baars enters the top ten with a flavor inspired by the coastal landscapes of the North Sea.
The Gelato Festival World Ranking is based on the results achieved at the various stages of the international circuit and takes into consideration aspects such as flavor quality, creativity, and presentation. After evaluating over 8,000 gelato makers across five continents, the ranking represents one of the main indicators of the evolution of artisanal gelato globally and confirms Italy's central role in an increasingly competitive and international sector.
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