Spain’s Panettone Team Crowdfunds for World Championship Glory

Baker and pastry chef Daniel Jordà announced this a few days ago on his social media: “We’ll launch a campaign to gain support and financial strength so we can confidently go to the World Cup and compete head-to-head with the other teams.” The goal: to make Spain the best panettone in the world.

Jordà is one of the coaches of the Spanish Panettone Team, which is preparing for the Panettone World Championship (world team championship), which will be held from October 13 to 18, 2025, in Verona, Italy. The competition will bring together 12 countries, each represented by a team of bakers and pastry chefs, and they have a chance of reaching the podium . Even so, financial support is essential, and to achieve this, they have just launched their long-announced crowdfunding campaign.

“The sponsors’ money wasn’t enough to cover all the expenses. And that’s not a reproach to anyone, to be clear. But this year’s world championship has many parallel events, apart from the panettone , and that has increased the budget, and we weren’t able to make it,” Jordà explained. “Sponsors can give you raw materials , but with that you can’t pay for plane tickets,” he added.

They need between ten and fifteen thousand euros more because they have to house and feed the team members who come to Barcelona to train, cover travel and training hours, consultancies, machinery, and pay other suppliers who have helped them along the way to participate in a competition that demands, among many other things, “impeccable” presentations, said Jordà.

Two years ago, and on other occasions, they had the support of the Barcelona Pastry Guild and their school, but now there are incompatibilities. One of its members, José Romero, a panettone expert, is participating in the organization of the World Cup this year and is a judge. “He can’t get involved with the team.” The Guild’s support could be considered a “privilege,” and that’s why they have to give it up.

Crowdfunding for the world’s best panettone

The crowdfunding campaign features different categories and rewards to support the team on its road to championship success. Contributions range from €600 to €15, catering to all budgets, and are available in five different crowdfunding options.

If you opt for the most expensive category, you’ll receive two PWC25 edition panettones , made with the exact same recipe they presented to the international jury, an official Team Spain cap, a thank you, and the most special thing: the opportunity to join the team at the championship final in Milan , experiencing the competition from the inside. “We’ve already sold one of these packs; we’re amazed,” says Jordà.

Another option, for example, is called “crowdfunding classic panettone.” A donation of 30 euros will reward you with a classic panettone . You can pick it up at one of the participating bakeries or have it delivered to your home (delivery available). Your name will be added to the thank-you list. “Every contribution adds up and brings us closer to our goal.”

The bakeries involved with the Spanish national team, such as Jordà ( Creative Breads ) and Marea Bread, are selling around 100 panettone for this very purpose. “I’ve already come five or six today; people are responding very well. These are the people who will help us move forward.”

Of course, these panettones don’t exactly follow the recipe they’ll use at the World Cup. “Everyone pays close attention to what the other teams are publishing, so we try to keep almost everything secret . It’s not 100% the same recipe, but it’s part of the testing we’re doing.”

With a chance to reach the podium, but without any assistance

Keeping the secret is important, especially for the Spanish team, which, as we said, has a chance of reaching the podium, along with Argentina and Japan . “The Argentine team has been working in Italy for a month, and I don’t think the Japanese team will be there long. It’s also true that we’re closer; we can go a week early and prepare everything,” he acknowledges.

Considering that they’re representing Spain in an international competition, it’s logical to ask this question: Why isn’t there more financial support from the public sector? “If it were the culinary world, perhaps some more help would come, but gastronomy isn’t the same as baking or pastry,” he answers cautiously.

Who makes up the Spanish panettone team?

In addition to Jordà, who serves as coach, the national team is captained by Ton Cortés , who runs the Suca’l bakery —formerly Cloudstreet Bakery—and is the current individual world champion in the traditional panettone category . “His experience from the previous world championship helps us a lot.”

He leads a group of outstanding Spanish bakers and pastry chefs in this prestigious international competition: Viena Campos , from CEREAL Bakery—the first pastry chef to join the Spanish team; Miguel Castro , from Marea Bread; and Ayose Valiente , also from Panes Creativos. Pastry chef Jesús Machi also serves as coach; and Carlos Mariel , president of Club Richemont Spain, acts as team manager.

“We’re very excited, and also very nervous. We’ve worked hard , but it’s a World Cup and you know anything can happen,” Jordà emphasized.

How the competition works

The Panettone World Team Cup will bring together 12 countries , each represented by a team of bakers and pastry chefs who must demonstrate their mastery in making this iconic Italian Christmas dessert .

The competition’s events will include the preparation of three types of panettone : the classic Italian panettone with candied fruit, a chocolate version , and an innovative creation incorporating local products from each country, which must be accompanied by ice cream. In addition, each team will bring four pre-made panettone from their country , which they will have to decorate and present to the jury during the competition.

Spain’s participation in the Panettone World Team Cup reflects the growing interest and excellence achieved by the country’s bakers and pastry chefs in the creation of this traditional Italian dessert. The absence of Italian representatives in this edition puts Spain in with a chance of winning the award for the best panettone in the world in 2025.

The Spanish team continues to prepare intensively for this competition, with training and training sessions at Novau Grup’s Rubi training center , “which provides us with facilities replicating the same conditions as the World Championships in Italy , with the same equipment we will use there.” There, under the direction of Ton Cortés, the team members continue to perfect their techniques and recipes to successfully face the challenges of the championship.

__

(Featured image by Salah Ait Mokhtar via Unsplash)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in HULE & MANTEL. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.