Barcelona’s gastronomy has much to celebrate. In addition to having two of the best European pizzas, one of the best bravas in the world, the best croissant in the country, now receives recognition for the best artisan panettone in Spain.
Yes. It is prepared in Barcelona at the pastry shop Dolç par Yann Duytshche (Sant Cugat del Vallès).
The titles for the best artisan panettones in Spain are awarded by the Escola de Pastisseria del Gremi de Barcelona (EPGB). This year, for the first time, the award had two categories: best classic fruit panettone and best chocolate panettone.
In that order of ideas the best classic panettone went to the Frenchman Yann Duytsche, from the pastry shop Dolç par Yann Duytsche (Sant Cugat, Barcelona), who although he had already won in 2016, repeated again this year.
The title of best chocolate panettone went to Pastisseria Cal Jan (Torredembarra, Tarragona).
This year’s contest was held in mid-October at the Gastronomic Forum Barcelona and once again recognized the best in the art of preparing this traditional Christmas sweet.
The best artisan panettone in Spain
The Escuela de Pastelería del Gremio de Barcelona made this recognition in the framework of the VI edition of the “Best Artisan Panettone of Spain 2021” contest.
The winning bakery for the best classic panettone, Dolç par Yann Duytsche, is owned by Frenchman Yann Duytsche.
Yann is a pastry lover, a vocation he started to have in mind since he was 9 years old. His school was the Moulin de Mougins (3 Michelin stars) of chef Roger Vergé and precursor of the nouvelle cuisine.
After different jobs, 10 years ago Yann decided to open his own pastry shop and eventually turned panettone into one of the star delicacies.
The winning panettone requires for its preparation, a dough fermented naturally for 27 hours which gives it a very particular aroma and a unique flavor.
The recipe includes candied fruit, raisins, orange and citron (a lemon-like citrus fruit produced in Crete, Corsica and Sicily).
The Best Artisan Panettone of Spain Contest
The competition is open to bakeries, pastry shops and establishments that make pastries in Spain. In addition, as an indispensable requirement, they must have a point of sale for the public.
Participants must send a total of two panettones perfectly packed in a bag to the Escuela de Pastelería de Barcelona one day before the jury’s qualification, without any element of identification of the establishment.
On the day of the event, the jurors proceed to taste and evaluate each artisan panettone submitted. They are usually recognized professionals in the sector. They then determine the winner by category.
Congratulations to the winners.
