American Gelato Maker Cracks Global Top 10
Savannah G. Lee of Savannah's Kitchen in San Francisco has ranked sixth in the Gelato Festival World Ranking 2026, scoring 206 points and earning three crowns in the international competition dedicated to promoting the best artisan gelato professionals.
The ranking was announced May 27 in Rome at the headquarters of the Foreign Press Association in Italy, during the presentation of the 2026 world ranking by Gelato Festival World Masters, in partnership with Carpigiani and SIGEP World.
Market Significance
The placement underscores the growing prominence of U.S. professionals in the global artisan gelato scene. Lee joins an international field of top-tier gelato makers competing at the highest levels of the craft.
2026 Top 10 Rankings
1. Carlo Guerriero – La Cremeria Gelato Italiano, Cádiz, Spain
2. Tomasz Szypuła – Szypuła 1974, Baborów, Poland
3. Elisabeth Stolz – Osteria Hubenbauer, Varna, Italy
4. Giovanna Bonazzi – La Parona del Gelato, Parona, Italy
5. Christian Wu – Gelateria Giotto, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
6. Savannah G. Lee – Savannah's Kitchen, San Francisco, USA
7. Massimiliano Scotti – VeroLatte, Vigevano, Italy
8. Maurizio Melani – Véneta Gelato Italiano, Valencia, Spain
9. Kees Baars – IJssalon IJsie Prima, Callantsoog, Netherlands
10. Fabio Forghieri – Gelateria dei Principi, Correggio, Italy (tied); Leonardo La Porta – Gelateria Miretti, Turin, Italy (tied)
Why It Matters
As American consumers increasingly embrace artisan gelato and craft dessert concepts, Lee's ranking signals a maturing U.S. market for premium frozen treats. For operators, the recognition highlights opportunities in positioning gelato as a differentiated dessert category beyond traditional ice cream offerings.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors