Europe’s Best Ice Cream Doesn’t Come from Italy!

The ice cream season has officially begun — and one German city has even more reason to celebrate this year: at the prestigious Gelato Europe Cup 2025 in Rimini, Italy, Europe’s best ice cream was crowned — and it comes from Wernigerode in Saxony-Anhalt!

23-Year-Old Gelato Maker Brings the Title to Germany

At just 23 years old, Tiziano Santin, together with his teammates Stefano Lucchini and Federico Sacchet, impressed the international jury across six demanding disciplines. From classic popsicles to elaborate ice cream cakes and creative flavor interpretations, the German team wowed judges with taste, technique, and design. Their overarching concept, "Amazzonia," particularly stood out with innovative flavors like raspberry-rosemary.

Tough Competition: Germany Beats France and Italy

The competition was fierce: a total of 12 teams from across Europe took part. In the end, Germany triumphed over traditional gelato strongholds — France (2nd place), Italy (3rd place), and Belgium (4th place). A remarkable victory for the team from the Harz region.

Months of Training and Family Support

In an interview with MDR, Tiziano Santin emphasized that the win was only possible thanks to months of intense training — often alongside his mother, who is also a skilled gelato maker. The family runs Eiscafé Venezia in Wernigerode, where the award-winning flavors are now available. Their Amazon-inspired theme, featuring exotic and aromatic ingredients, particularly impressed the jury.

Looking Ahead: World Championship in Sight

By winning the Gelato Europe Cup, the team has now qualified for the Gelato World Cup 2026. There, the world’s best gelato makers will face off — and perhaps this small ice cream café from Saxony-Anhalt will soon also claim the title of world champion.