Italy Is Looking for 100 Official Tiramisù World Cup Judges: Applications Open September 12

How the Judge Application Works

We finally have the official details, and if you want in, mark September 12 on your calendar now.

Applications to become a judge for the 2026 Tiramisù World Cup selections will open for just one day: September 12, 2026. The online test becomes available at 10:00 a.m. CEST and closes at midnight.

The application itself is a 15-question test based on the official competition rules and your knowledge of tiramisu. Candidates are ranked according to both their score and how quickly they complete the test, so the goal is simple: know the rules well enough to score 15/15, and don't waste time looking up every answer once the clock starts.

There's one helpful change for anyone worried about a bad first run: you can take the test multiple times, although only your first three attempts will count.

If you're selected, the organizers will contact you by email during September and no later than September 25, 2026.

The best thing you can do before September 12 is study the official competition rules and take the practice judge test already available on the Tiramisù World Cup website. The practice version also contains 15 questions, so it's a pretty useful preview of what you'll need to know when the real application opens.

What You're Signing Up For

Being a volunteer judge sounds like an afternoon of casual tasting. It's a bit more involved than that, which is honestly part of what makes it worth doing. The 2026 volunteer judges will work during the Treviso selection rounds on October 9 and 10.

Semifinal and final judges are professionals from the pastry industry and related fields, so your judging duties are limited to the selections. Each judge is assigned to a table with up to 10 competitors and works alongside two other judges and a President of the Jury. Each competition round lasts about two hours.

And no, your only job is not eating tiramisu. Judges also help check ingredients and competition equipment, make sure competitors are correctly positioned at their stations, watch for rule violations, and help ensure the round runs properly before scoring the finished desserts.

The competition's evaluation criteria include:

• Technical execution

• Aesthetic appearance

• Taste intensity

• Dish equilibrium

Selected judges must also take part in an orientation briefing in October, either in Treviso or via webinar, and arrive at the registration desk at least 20 minutes before their assigned round. The position is completely voluntary. There is no fee to judge, but there is also no salary, travel reimbursement, or accommodation provided.

The World Cup Weekend at a Glance

The 2026 Tiramisù World Cup runs October 9 to 11 in Treviso, with this year's Grand Final events listed at Piazza Borsa. The two categories draw competitors who take this seriously, and even if you don't make the judging panel, showing up as a spectator with access to public tastings and workshops is not a bad weekend by any measure.

Here's how the 2026 schedule currently looks:

• October 9 and 10: Selection rounds

• October 11: Semifinals, finals, and the Tiramisù Run (a 10.1-kilometer fun run through the city's historic center)

The Tiramisù Run ia a 10.1-kilometer run through Treviso. If you were hoping to add the race to your trip, though, there's one important update: registration is now sold out and officially closed.

That doesn't mean you need to abandon the weekend. The Tiramisù World Cup itself runs across all three days, and the official event describes the weekend as including competition rounds alongside tastings, talks, show cooking, and workshops.

Why Treviso Is Worth the Trip on Its Own

Treviso doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves, which works in your favor. Nicknamed "Little Venice" for its canals and arcaded medieval streets, it sits just 30 minutes north of Venice by regional train but feels like a completely different experience. There's a fish market set on a tiny island in the middle of a canal, a restaurant scene that goes well beyond tiramisu, and a quieter, more local atmosphere than its famous neighbor down the line.

October is when the Veneto region is at its most quietly excellent. Harvest season is running through the Prosecco hills to the north, the summer crowds have cleared out entirely, and the weather stays mild enough for outdoor dinners that stretch late into the evening. A few days either side of the World Cup weekend gives you time to day-trip into Venice, explore Asolo, or head into the Dolomite foothills before the competition kicks off.

Treviso also takes its food seriously in a way that goes beyond the tiramisu claim. Radicchio, the bitter red chicory that's another point of local pride, shows up across menus in ways genuinely worth exploring. Pair it with a local Prosecco DOC and something slow-cooked, and you've got an October evening in northern Italy that doesn't require any further justification.

Frequently Asked Questions: Tiramisù World Cup Judge 2026

Are judge applications open for 2026?

Not quite yet. The official application day is September 12, 2026. The online test opens at 10:00 a.m. CEST and remains available until midnight that day.

Who can apply to be a judge?

Anyone age 18 or older can apply, and applications are open to people from around the world. You don't need to be a professional chef or have formal culinary training.

How do I apply to become a Tiramisù World Cup judge?

On September 12, head to the official Tiramisù World Cup judge page and take the 15-question online test. Candidates are selected according to their test score and the chronological order in which they complete it for their chosen competition round.

Can I take the judge test more than once?

Yes. You can attempt the test multiple times, but only your first three attempts will be considered during the selection process.

When will I find out if I was selected?

Successful applicants will be contacted by email during September and no later than September 25, 2026.

When should I start preparing for the exam?

Now. The actual application window lasts only one day, and speed is part of the selection process. Read the 2026 competition rules ahead of time and use the official practice test to see the kinds of questions you may encounter.

Is there a fee to apply or judge?

No. Judging is entirely voluntary and free. There's no application fee and no compensation either. Travel, accommodation, and other expenses are your responsibility.

What does judging actually involve?

Each judge works at a table with up to 10 competitors alongside two other judges and a President of the Jury. In addition to tasting and scoring the tiramisu, judges check ingredients and equipment, watch for rule compliance, and help ensure the competition is conducted correctly. Each round lasts approximately two hours.

What does the exam cover?

The 15-question test focuses on the Tiramisù World Cup competition rules and tiramisu recipe knowledge. The organizers specifically recommend studying the official regulations before applying.

How are judges selected?

Candidates are ranked from the highest scores downward, with completion time also taken into account. In other words, accuracy comes first, but getting that high score quickly matters too.

Can I judge the semifinals or finals?

Not through this application process. Volunteer applicants are being selected for the October 9 and 10 selection rounds in Treviso. The semifinal and final juries are made up of professionals from the pastry industry and related fields.

Can I also do the Tiramisù Run the same weekend?

The Tiramisù Run takes place October 11, but registration is currently sold out and closed. If you've already registered, it still makes for a very tiramisu-heavy Sunday.

How do I get to Treviso from the U.S.?

Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport, which connects to major U.S. hubs, then continue to Treviso by ground transportation. Venice and Treviso are close enough that combining the World Cup with a few days in Venice is very easy.