• On Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Bucharest, the 4th edition of the Chefi de Romania Awards Gala took place, an event that has become a landmark in the local gastronomic industry.
During the gala, chocolatier Alina Lungu, Luado Chocolate, was named the winner of the category dedicated to chocolatiers, obtaining the title of Best Chocolatier 2026.
The competition in this category brought together seven nominations, and the decision belonged to a jury consisting of eight chefs and four pastry chefs recognized at a national level. The gala awards evaluate both visible performances and the sustained effort behind them, emphasizing excellence, passion and innovation in the culinary field.
Alina Lungu is the co-founder of the brand Luado Chocolate, launched in 2011 in Brașov with her husband, Dorian Lungu. The family business was built around artisanal chocolate, using premium ingredients and emphasizing quality, aesthetics and authentic taste. Pralines are the flagship product of the house, and creations also include fine eclairs, ice cream made according to their own recipes or chocolate bars with complex flavors.
Alina received her professional training at the prestigious Callebaut® Academy in Wieze, Belgium and her career includes other recognitions: in 2022 she received the title of Best Pastry Chef / Chocolatier at the Horeca Women Gala, and in 2024 she won 3rd place in the category "Best Chocolatier" during the same Chefi de Romania Awards Gala.
In September 2025, Luado inaugurated the project The Taste of Brașov, a space hosted by the Research and Development Institute of Transilvania University in Brașov. It brings together interactive workshops, tastings, presentations and cultural events, proposing an integrated approach that connects gastronomy with education, art and science.
The recent award highlights the consistent journey of the brand, which combines chocolate tradition with modern techniques and a keen attention to detail. Luado Chocolate remains a name associated with local chocolate refinement, continuing to develop through sustained work and the involvement of a dedicated team.
Photo source: Social Media Luado Chocolate
Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor-in-Chief Arta Albă
Read on White Art and: Interview with chocolatier Alina Lungu – Luado: "when chocolate surprises you, you remember it!"
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