Francesco Boccia

Born into the profession, he is a multiple award-winner in the world of pastry-making. Now owner of his own business in Striano, Francesco Boccia discovered his love of pastry making very early in life. After graduating from the I.P.S.A.R. Hotel Institute in Ottaviano (Naples), he continued his studies at the Federico II University of Naples, taking a degree in “Food Technology”.

He took part in tenders and competitions at both national and international level. At the age of 21, he won the Italian Junior Pastry Making Championship. In 2010, he came second in the World Chocolate Masters, a competition that involves the world’s top chocolatiers. In 2012, he took part in the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie, becoming the Italian senior pastry making champion.

He won many other prizes and awards in subsequent years. When the World Cup was held in Lyon in 2013, he was awarded the bronze medal, finishing behind France and Japan; while in 2014 he won the Italian pastry-making championship trials and got to the world final.

2015 was an important year for him. He won the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in Lyon, and was presented with the Vase de Sèvres by the President of the French Republic, and the award for Innovation. Later in 2015, he received a gold medal from AMPI (the Italian Master Pastry Chefs Academy) to celebrate his victory, and was made an Honorary Academician.