Get Ready to Taste Italy’s Finest Panettoni!
Here we go again: Christmas comes early this year — and it smells like butter, vanilla, and sourdough! On Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Salone delle Fontane in the EUR district (Via Ciro il Grande 10 – Rome) will once again host the seventh edition of Panettone Maximo, the National Festival of Artisan Panettone.
A full day dedicated to the most iconic holiday dessert, featuring tastings, competitions, irresistible aromas, and — let’s be honest — an embarrassing number of samples for research purposes only.
Who Will Make the Best Panettone of 2025?
This year, the challenge is back and even bigger: 45 bakeries and pastry shops from all over Italy will compete for the crown of Italy’s Best Panettone.
There will be two main categories — Traditional and Chocolate — along with special awards for Best Packaging, Best Digital Communication, the Foreign Press Award, and of course, the highly anticipated People’s Choice Award, which gets more competitive every year.
In short, there’ll be no shortage of flavor — or of friendly rivalry!
Last Year’s Winner: The Best Panettone of 2024
Last year, we were there — enjoying slice after slice, soaking in the festive atmosphere of this great showcase of sweetness. And yes, we predicted the winner early on: Solodamanduca from Aprilia took home the title of Best Traditional Panettone 2024!
A well-deserved victory (we still remember that perfect bite), which made the competition even more exciting.
How Panettone Maximo Works
How Panettone Maximo WorksWith over 3,500 visitors and 80 tasting booths at its last edition, Panettone Maximo has become a must-attend event of the Roman — and national — holiday season.
It brings together pastry masters, food enthusiasts, journalists, and sweet lovers of all ages.
To join, visitors simply need to purchase a ticket on the event’s official website.
Awards Up for Grabs
Awards Up for GrabsWhile an expert jury evaluates the creations based on aroma, softness, texture, and flavor, the public can wander from booth to booth — tasting, voting, and helping decide the People’s Choice Award.
Award Categories:
- Best Traditional Panettone
- Best Chocolate Panettone
- Best Gourmet Panettone
- Best Packaging
- Best Communication
- People’s Choice Award
- Foreign Press Award
Why You Should Go
Why You Should GoIt’s a fun, festive day that arrives just before the holidays — instantly launching you into the Christmas spirit.
Visitors can taste, choose, buy, or pre-order their favorite panettoni for the holidays.
Alongside the classics, there will be special editions, savory panettoni, and gourmet versions.
And perhaps best of all, you’ll have the chance to meet the pastry chefs in person — hearing their stories, their secrets, and their passion for this beloved dessert.
We’ll Be There Too
— notebook in hand and taste buds ready
— to find out who will dethrone our dear Manduca.
Spoiler alert: we already have a couple of favorites in mind… but for now, our lips are sealed (and our forks are busy with another slice).
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