MCI General Assembly 2025

International success

Last year started off very well, because Hungary was able to compete in the Gelato World Cup for the first time and the Hungarian team finished third! At the Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart Máté Kismárton won the gold medal in the individual confectionery artistry category with the maximum score. MCI has been the professional confectionery partner of the SIRHA Budapest trade show for years. The craft union worked together with Hungexpo Zrt. to design the new “Ice Cream Arena” competition area and the professional programme for the three days.

Competitions

Once again MCI organised the Ice Cream of the Year competition in the form of a festival, as part of a city event in Kecskemét. The Cake of Hungary 2024 competition was announced with a superfood theme, to call attention to Hungarian ingredients with rich nutritional value. The winning cake was made by Alfréd Kovács, owner of Édes Vonal Confectionery in Vác and it was served in more than 500 confectioneries from 19 August – a new record! In the fifth edition of the Bejgli of the Year competition Zsolt Karl from Karl Confectionery in Dunaharaszti won in two categories. The third confectionery product to reach the top of the national value pyramid is Christmas candy, which has also become a Hungaricum. Last year Mária Lusztigh took over the management of the For Artisan Confectionery Foundation and has faced the challenges with her usual dynamism.

Balázs Erdélyi reported on a successful, busy year

Recognition for the profession

The Tourism Advisory Board, which will act as an advisory body to the Ministry for National Economy on issues affecting the tourism sector, was established and held its first two meetings last year. More than 30 professional organisations were invited to the inaugural meeting of the board, including the Hungarian Confectioners’ Craft Union. The Hungarian Tourism Agency honoured László Selmeczi and Balázs Erdélyi with the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Award. //