Verona: Taiwan has won the 2025 Panettone World Championship in northern Italy, with cheers erupting and Republic of China (Taiwan) flags waving at the venue when the announcement was made Saturday.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Panettone, a traditional Italian Christmas sweet bread and fruitcake known for its intricate preparation, was the centerpiece of the world championship held from Oct. 13 to 18 in Verona and Milan, attracting top bakers from around the globe. The competition, which gathers master pastry chefs, is considered a top-tier international event for artisanal Panettone, showcasing the highest standards of craftsmanship, according to a Facebook post by Taiwan's representative office in Italy.

At this year's event, the Taiwanese team not only won the overall championship title but also took first place in the "Classic Panettone" and "Chocolate Panettone" categories.

The team, coached by Giovanna Chen, comprised three pastry chefs--Lai I-chun, Tsai Yueh-chun, and Yang Shih-chun. They impressed judges and the audience alike with their mastery of natural yeast fermentation, refined flavors, and innovative ingredient combinations, becoming a highlight of the competition, according to the representative office. Lin Tsan-nan, head of Taiwan's Milan office, attended the event along with several other overseas Taiwanese supporters, waving national flags and cheering for the team.

Lin also conveyed congratulatory messages from President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim in recognition of the team's achievement.