Tony Loeb

🍰 Ambasciatori Pasticceri dell’Eccellenza Italiana (APEI) announced the first "Campionato del bergamotto di Reggio Calabria in Pasticceria," a competition for professional pastry chefs regardless of location or association. Registrations are open until May 10, 2025, with submissions of recipes online or to segreteria@apeiitalia.it. Products for "Pasta lievitata" and "Torta da forno" must be sent by May 22, 2025, to Cast Alimenti in Brescia. A photo of the products should be posted on social media by May 10, 2025. The final will host the top ten pastry chefs on July 19 in Reggio di Calabria during Bergafest, judged by three panels: technical, critical, and public, rewarding beauty, taste, originality, innovation, and use of bergamot from Reggio Calabria.

🍫 In 2025, Nescafé® and KitKat® launch Nescafé® KitKat® Mocha, a new soluble drink combining milk, coffee, cocoa, and wafer notes for a velvety texture and sweet flavor. It's inspired by the KitKat® snack, popular for over 90 years. Following the 2024 release of Nescafé® Dolce Gusto® KitKat®, this new variant offers a quick and tasty break option for coffee enthusiasts. Read more on FoodyBev.com and NotizieRetail.it.

🍰 Elisa Zanelli won "Emergente Pastry Chef" in January 2019 at Sigep. The contest, paused due to the pandemic, resumed in November 2021 at Irca Academy with Debora Vella winning. Riccardo Bazzo triumphed in 2023, now part of a project in Hangzhou, China. The 2025 "EmergentePastry" finale is set for February 27 at CAPAC in Milan. Finalists from various regions will compete in front of a jury of master pastry chefs and industry journalists. Contestants include Francesco De Padova, Michele Di Leva, Nicoletta Nocerino, Matilde Morandi, Greta Campione, Alessandro Franchi, Federica Corvasce, Federica Bagnarelli, and Raffael Werner. Event sponsored by companies like Agugiaro & Figna Molini and Barry Callebaut.

🍴 Giancarlo Perbellini, chef of Casa Perbellini 12 Apostoli, won "Cuoco dell'Anno" at Identità Milano and earned three Michelin stars in November 2024 in Modena. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Identità Milano, he received the "Tipicità Italiana in Cucina" award. At Identità Milano 2025, Perbellini held a lecture on February 23 titled "Il vegetale, radici contemporanee," featuring dishes "Il tonno e l’insalata" and one dedicated to Maria Callas.

🏙 Rome's "City Tourism Promotion Plan for 2025 and 2026," approved by the city council, aims to enhance its image as an ideal destination for city breaks and boost the luxury segment. Rome led Italy in the MICE segment in 2023, hosting 119 congresses and ranking 7th worldwide. The plan also aspires to position Rome as a lifestyle, highlighting fashion, sports, and major events.