The dining hall at the Winter Olympics is no longer just a place for athletes to eat. It has become a stage for social media trends that reach millions of people around the world. Following the fame of the "chocolate muffin" during the Paris 2024 Summer Games, several new food items are now competing for attention in Italy. These items include a warm chocolate lava cake, a large Nutella pump, and fresh tiramisu. While these foods help athletes connect with fans, they also highlight how social media changes the way people see the Olympic experience. This report looks at which foods are becoming famous and how athletes are using their phones to share their daily lives.
A Timeline of Dining Trends in the Olympic Village
The shift in food trends began early in February 2026 as athletes arrived in Italy for the Winter Games.
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Early February 2026: Athletes begin posting videos of a chocolate lava cake, comparing it to the muffins from the Paris Games.
Mid-February 2026: Reports emerge of a large Nutella "pump" or "keg" available in the dining area.
Current Period: Different groups of athletes are supporting different desserts, with some favoring the lava cake and others focusing on traditional Italian tiramisu.
"Seeing athletes more authentically on their personal social media has humanized them from the super-human athletes they are competing at the most prestigious sporting event in the world." — Her Campus report on Olympic social media use.
| Food Item | Primary Feature | Key Supporters |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Lava Cake | Warm, liquid chocolate center | Natalie Spooner, Courtney Sarault |
| Nutella Pump | Large industrial container of hazelnut spread | Social media influencers, various athletes |
| Tiramisu | Made fresh at the table | European athletes, local kitchen staff |
Social media has turned the Olympic dining hall into a place where food choices can become as famous as the sports themselves.
The Rise of the Chocolate Lava Cake
The most talked-about food item so far is the chocolate lava cake. This dessert features a soft cake shell with a warm, melted chocolate center.
Ratings and Reviews: Canadian hockey player Natalie Spooner gave the cake a score of 9.1 out of 10. She noted that the warm center made it a high-quality treat.
Speed of Eating: Speed skater Courtney Sarault was seen eating the dessert in a single bite. She compared it to the Paris muffin, which she said required two bites.
Public Interest: Because of these videos, stores like Trader Joe’s are seeing more interest in "dupes" or similar cakes that people can buy at home for about $3.99.
Is the lava cake popular because of its taste, or is it simply the easiest food to film for a short video? The evidence shows that the visual nature of the "melting" center makes it very good for social media apps like TikTok.
The Nutella Pump and Large-Scale Dining
While the lava cake is a single dessert, the Nutella pump represents a different kind of trend. This is a large, industrial-sized container used to serve hazelnut spread.
Scale of Use: Reports show these pumps are found in McDonald's and hotel buffets within the Olympic area.
Home Interest: People watching at home have asked how to get a similar "keg" for their own kitchens. While the industrial pump is not for sale to the public, a 6.6-pound tub is available on retail sites.
Cultural Contrast: Some reports suggest a difference in quality between the Nutella served in Europe and the version sold in the United States, which adds to the interest from American fans.
Traditional Italian Influence: Tiramisu
As the Games are in Italy, traditional Italian desserts are also being featured. Some athletes have started filming "tableside" service.
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Interactive Experience: In some videos, kitchen staff are seen putting the tiramisu together right in front of the athletes.
The "Tiramisu Man": Some viewers are already trying to name a new "official" food person for the Milan games, similar to how Henrik Christiansen became the "Muffin Man" in Paris.
The presence of tiramisu shows that the local culture is trying to offer something different from the standard muffins or pre-made cakes seen in past years.
Analysis of Social Media Impact
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) now encourages athletes to share their experiences online. This has led to a change in how the public views the Games.
Human Connection: Seeing a gold-medal winner eat a chocolate cake makes them seem more like a normal person to the viewers.
Food Quality: In the past, Olympic food often received poor reviews. The current viral success of these desserts suggests that the food in Milan and Cortina may be of higher quality, or at least more visually appealing.
Marketing Power: When an athlete reviews a food, it can lead to immediate trends in grocery stores.
"Athletes are bonding over molten chocolate… You cut into it, the chocolate spills out, and suddenly everyone’s losing their minds." — The Times of India.
Observations on Future Trends
The evidence shows that the chocolate lava cake is currently the most popular food item based on the number of athlete reviews and social media views. However, the Nutella pump is gaining ground because of its unique look.
What we know:
Athletes are using food reviews to grow their social media followings.
The lava cake is widely considered an "upgrade" over the Paris muffin by those who have tried both.
Local Italian food like tiramisu is being introduced as a fresh option.
What is not yet clear:
It is not known if these foods meet the strict diet plans of all athletes or if they are only eaten after competitions are finished.
There is no data yet to show if the popularity of these foods will last after the closing ceremony.
The next steps for investigators and fans will be to see if a new food item appears during the second half of the Games. For now, the "lava cake" remains the leader in the dining hall.
Read More: Olympics Food Goes Viral: Chocolate Cake and Nutella Popular
Primary Sources
BuzzFeed: Nutella pump trends https://www.buzzfeed.com/claudiasantos/nutella-pump-keg-winter-olympic-village-2026
Newsweek: Tiramisu viral videos https://www.newsweek.com/new-olympic-dessert-goes-viral-11521846
AOL: Lava cake vs. Muffin comparison https://www.aol.com/articles/2026-winter-olympics-upgraded-viral-194600564.html
Delish: Athlete reviews from Natalie Spooner https://www.delish.com/food-news/a70292121/viral-chocolate-lava-cake-olympics-2026/
Times of India: Global reaction to Olympic food https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/this-one-cake-is-going-more-viral-than-any-athlete-at-the-milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics/articleshow/128235383.cms
Woman’s World: Retail dupes and Nutella details https://www.womansworld.com/life/olympic-village-lava-cake-goes-viral-where-to-buy-dupes https://www.womansworld.com/food-recipes/food-news/see-the-viral-nutella-pump-olympic-village-athletes-are-obsessed-with
Daily Dot: Social media clip breakdowns https://dailydot.com/2026-olympics-chocolate-lava-cake
Culinary Woman: Menu analysis https://culinarywoman.substack.com/p/whats-on-the-menu-at-the-winter-olympics
Her Campus: Impact of social media on athlete identity https://www.hercampus.com/school/cincinnati/olympics-unfiltered-how-social-media-changed-the-games/
