Camilla Carbocci of CAST, with her creation Partenope On The Road, is the winner of the 13th edition of the Santarosa Pastry Cup, which concluded at the Campus Principe di Napoli in Agerola after two intense days dedicated to haute pâtisserie and the celebration of the Santarosa, bringing together tradition, creativity and international exchange.

Created in Conca dei Marini to celebrate the history and identity of the famous sfogliatella, the event once again brought together some of the leading figures in Italian and international pastry and gastronomy, alongside emerging talents from prestigious culinary and pastry schools.

The Santarosa Pastry Cup began on Thursday, September 24, at the Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa and the adjoining Church of Santa Rosa in Conca dei Marini, with a welcome reception and introduction of the event’s protagonists, before continuing in Amalfi, at Pasticceria Pansa and Sensi Restaurant.

The opening evening featured the official presentation of the jury members and the five schools competing in this year’s competition, as well as the presentation of some of the Santarosa Pastry Cup Special Awards.

Internationally renowned Japanese pastry chef Sadaharu Aoki was named Santarosa Ambassador to the World 2026/2027. The award was presented by Maestro Iginio Massari, the first Santarosa Ambassador to the World, who received the title in 2022.

The SPC Pastry Chef 2026/2027 award was presented to Dario Nuti, in recognition of his standing as a leading figure in contemporary pastry.

The SPC Special Award – Local Excellence “Alfonso Pepe” was presented to Pasquale Marigliano. The award was presented by Teresa Vitolo, wife of the late Alfonso Pepe, to whom the prize is dedicated.

Completing the programme of awards was “Sfoglia… Conca – Racconti di dolcezza”, the gastronomic and literary prize now in its 12th edition, dedicated to publications exploring the world of gastronomy, with a particular focus on the art of baking and pastry. The award was presented to Enrico Bartolini, Italy’s most Michelin-starred chef.

LA COMPAGNIA DELLA SANTAROSA

A particularly significant institutional moment was dedicated to La Compagnia della Santarosa APS, an association founded by Team SPC with a strong gastronomic and cultural identity and social and charitable aims, operating in the name of the Santarosa and the values that have shaped its history.

As in the previous edition, the jury members in attendance were awarded the distinction of Honorary Member of La Compagnia della Santarosa APS, in recognition of the prestige and contribution they brought to the event.

A special distinction was awarded to Maestro Iginio Massari, who was named Honorary President of La Compagnia della Santarosa APS, a title he will share with current Honorary President Nicola Pansa.

THE COMPETITION AT CAMPUS PRINCIPE DI NAPOLI

On Friday, September 25, the Santarosa Pastry Cup entered the heart of the competition in the magnificent setting of the Campus Principe di Napoli in Agerola, with the invaluable support of the Campus staff and Irene Colombo as host.

Five young talents from prestigious culinary and pastry schools competed for the title:

• CAST, represented by Camilla Carbocci;

• Congusto Institute, represented by Matteo Peris;

• Dolce & Salato, represented by Michele Iazzetta;

• In Cibum, represented by Valentyna Smetanyuk;

• Pino Ladisa Academy, represented by Davide Nicola Celano.

The contestants were challenged to interpret the theme of the 13th edition, “Sfogliatella Without Borders”, presenting their creations before a distinguished jury of leading experts.

At the end of the competition, the jury crowned Camilla Carbocci of CAST the winner with her creation Partenope On The Road.

Carbocci also received the public’s recognition, winning the Special People’s Jury Award, determined by votes cast by members of the public after tasting the individual desserts created by the contestants.

The SPC Young Talent Award “Rosemary Manilia” was presented to Michele Iazzetta of Dolce & Salato.

All the awards for the 13th edition of the SPC were created by master ceramicist Marco Fusco of Ceramiche Fes in Minori.

Camilla Carbocci also received the corporate prizes associated with both First Prize and the People’s Jury Award, presented by the event’s Main Sponsors, Agrimontana and Valrhona, respectively.

SFOGLIATELLA WITHOUT BORDERS

The theme of the 13th edition, “Sfogliatella Without Borders”, provided the central thread of the competition: an exploration of tradition not as something static, but as something alive, capable of evolving through encounters, exchanges and the blending of different influences.

The relationship between tradition and innovation was, in fact, one of the most prominent themes to emerge during the competition.

The jury members emphasised that every reinterpretation must begin with a deep understanding of the dessert being reimagined: knowing its history, its origins, its recipe and the characteristics that define its identity is the essential foundation from which it can then be transformed, innovated and taken in new directions.

This, after all, is one of the principles that has always guided the Santarosa Pastry Cup: to introduce the Santarosa to an ever wider audience, celebrating this extraordinary symbol of Campania’s pastry tradition by starting with its history and identity.

In its early years, the event’s primary goal was to help raise awareness of this dessert throughout Italy. In recent years, however, the Santarosa Pastry Cup has increasingly turned its attention beyond Italy’s borders.

The presence of leading masters of international pastry confirms the Santarosa’s potential to become known and appreciated around the world, while maintaining its deep connection with its place of origin.

“Sfogliatella Without Borders” therefore embodies precisely this idea: a Santarosa capable of travelling, encountering different cultures and sensibilities, and inspiring new interpretations, while always remaining grounded in a knowledge of and respect for its identity.

TEAM SPC CELEBRATES THE SUCCESS OF THE 13TH EDITION

At the conclusion of the 13th edition, Team SPC – Tiziana Carbone, Nicola Pansa and Antonio Vuolo – expressed their great satisfaction with the success of the event.

“We are deeply happy and proud of this 13th edition. The Santarosa Pastry Cup continues to grow and, in recent years, has pursued an increasingly ambitious path towards internationalisation.

We have had the honour of welcoming to our jury some of the world’s leading masters and professionals in pastry and gastronomy. It is a great privilege for us to benefit from their presence and extensive experience.

We are particularly delighted to see professionals of this calibre become fascinated by the history of the Santarosa, by our territory and by the Santarosa Pastry Cup format. Their participation continually inspires us to do better, to grow and to explore new directions every year.

This is precisely the meaning of our ‘Without Borders’ theme: taking the Santarosa ever further, opening it up to dialogue with the world while never losing sight of its roots.”

Finally, Team SPC extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who, in different ways, contributed to making the 13th edition possible: the jury members, contestants and schools, Campus Principe di Napoli and its staff, partners and sponsors, institutions, collaborators, media partners and all those who worked behind the scenes to bring this new edition to life.

Special thanks also go to the event’s media partner, Costa d’Amalfi TV, for providing live coverage of the event.

The 13th edition comes to a close with a new winner, new protagonists and a Santarosa that continues its journey: travelling ever further, ever more… without borders!