I really can’t remember much about what happened during the Paris Olympics, sports-wise. I’m guessing the Aussies won lots of medals in the pool, and someone ran faster than anyone has ever run before. There was probably some kind of controversy over someone cheating or punching a horse. And I think there might have been something to do with breakdancing? 

What I do remember – what the whole world would remember – is the chocolate muffin man. 

Credit: Getty Images

Who is Muffin Man?

Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen didn’t win any medals or break any Olympic records at the 2024 Paris Games. But he did go insanely viral for his obsession with the Olympic Village chocolate muffins. A series of videos posted to his social media accounts documenting his devotion to the gooey, chocolatey treats quickly circulated across the globe, his following exploded and the whole world fell in love with ‘Muffin Man’ in the same way Christiansen had fallen for his muffins. 

Now, with the 2026 Winter Olympics underway, Muffin Man has named his successor. 

Credit: @jonas.hasler

Meet Tiramisu Man

The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held at Milano Cortina, northern Italy. As you can imagine, the food is going to be pretty amazing there. Five days ago, Swiss snowboarder Jonas Hasler took to his socials to rave about the tiramisu, telling his followers that he thinks he’s “found the chocolate muffin of the Winter Olympics”. 

Hasler has since posted several times about the tiramisu, and the kitchen team even made him a special tableside tiramisu as he geared up for half-pipe qualifications. But what made it all official was when Christiansen called Hasler in person, to pass the baton. 

“You are now the official Tiramisu Man,” Muffin Man said in the video call. “Make me proud”.

@jonas.hasler that’s some heavy weights on my shoulders now 🫡 @Henrik Christiansen #olympics #milanocortina2026 #WinterSport #tiramisuman ♬ Originalton – Jonas Hasler | 🏂🇨🇭

Apparently, the tiramisu is not easy to come by. Hasler himself says “it’s always gone”. Now that it has become the official Chocolate Muffin of the 2026 Olympics, it’s no doubt going to be even harder to come by. Good luck, Tiramisu Man. May the odds be ever in your favour.

Credit: Ben Dearnley

What are the athletes eating at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

As these Olympics are in Italy, it’s no surprise that pasta looms large on the Olympic Village menu. More than 450kg of pasta is served at the Milano Olympic Village every day, along with pizza, local cold cuts, cheeses and fruits. As well as the classics, the menu also features foods originating from the host territories, including bresaola from Valtellina and canederli (bread dumplings) from Alto Adige. 

South African cross-country skier Matthew Smith has made it his mission to review all the food at the Olympic Village on his socials, praising the breakfast pizza, the tiramisu (naturally) and the lasagne. He is such a fan of the pizza, the kitchen team made him a special pizza bearing the South African flag. 

Credit: Chris Court

But not everyone is happy. The Korean team has complained about the lack of variety. To keep their team’s spirits up, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee is running a ‘meal support centre’ that offers them lunchboxes featuring Korean banchan (side dishes), including white rice, stir-fried pork, bulgogi and kimchi. There will also be special holiday foods on offer during Lunar New Year. 

For the Aussies who are missing a taste of home, the Australian team room offers Australian cereal and muesli bars, Vegemite, Caramello Koalas and Milo. Although Milo doesn’t really stack up to a big bowl of velvety, espresso-infused mascarpone. Sorry guys.

And so, while the world watches the medal tally and we wait for that elusive Aussie gold, the real race could well be happening in the dining hall. Who will be first in line for the tiramisu? Now that’s an Olympic event I’d be sure to remember.

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