Cupa Pizarras · Sixth Edition · 2026
Do you want to be the best roofer of the year?
The world’s finest natural slate roofers compete for the most coveted title in the trade.
Entries are now open for Best of the Best 2026!
The countdown has started, but there’s no need to rush. Entries remain open until 30 November 2026.
Entering couldn’t be simpler. Just send us a video showcasing something related to our natural slate. It could be your roofing skills in action, part of an installation, a finished project you’re proud of, a challenging detail, or anything else that demonstrates your craftsmanship and passion for the trade.
Whether you’re an experienced competitor or entering for the first time, this is your chance to compete alongside the world’s finest natural slate roofers and showcase your craftsmanship on the global stage.
Submit your project
Join the competition
Questions? Contact us at jhernandez@cupapizarras.com and we’ll be happy to help.
The Awards
What is the Best of the Best competition?
Every day, more than 250 roofs around the world are installed using our natural slate. To celebrate the craftsmanship behind those projects, we created Best of the Best, an annual video competition that brings together the finest natural slate roofers from around the world.
Participants submit videos showcasing their work, skills and passion. In the first stage, entries compete at a national level, with winners selected through public voting. The national champions then advance to the international final, where an expert jury chooses the overall winner.
More than a competition, Best of the Best is a global community that recognizes excellence in natural slate roofing and celebrates the people behind it.
Rules and Dates
Everything you need to know to compete
From the video format to the key dates — here’s your complete guide to the Best of the Best 2026.
KEY DATES
NOV 30
Video submission deadline
Submit your entry before the countdown reaches zero.
Dec 2–4
Public voting
National winners are decided through an open public vote held on this website.
Dec 16
Winner announced
The Best of the Best 2026 winner is revealed following the jury’s decision.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- CUPA PIZARRAS natural slate
Your video must feature a project using our natural slate.
- 45 seconds to 2 minutes
Keep it short, engaging and focused on your work.
- Complete creative freedom
Show an installation, a finished project, a detail, drone footage or anything else that highlights your craftsmanship.
The prize
An experience you won't forget
The Best of the Best Trophy
Earn your place among the world’s finest natural slate roofers and take home the competition’s highest honour.
Quarry Tour in Spain
Visit our quarries in A Medua, Ourense, and discover where the world’s finest natural slate begins its journey.
Real Madrid VIP Experience
Experience “El Clásico” Real Madrid vs Barça from a VIP box at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
The Jury 2026
Five judges. One verdict.
Meet the slate roofing experts who will choose the overall winner of Best of the Best 2026. Tap a photo to discover their story.
Severino González
Spain
Severino González
Spain
Severino González is the Managing Director of the Galician Slate Cluster and the Spanish National Slate Federation. He holds a Law degree from the University of Santiago de Compostela and has been involved in the slate industry since 1989, initially as a legal advisor and later as Managing Director.
Throughout his career, Severino has delivered lectures at architecture and building engineering schools across Spain, as well as at professional associations of architects, sharing his expertise and promoting the use of natural slate.
Matt Timby
United Kingdom
Matt Timby
United Kingdom
Matt Timby is the Technical Manager for Pitched Roofing and Hardmetals at the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), where he shares his knowledge and expertise with roofing professionals across the UK.
Before taking on this role, Matt enjoyed an award-winning career as a roofing contractor, working across several disciplines, including natural slate roofing.
He is also a recognised Master Craftsman, a judge for the SkillBuild competition and a mentor to the UK National Young Roofers Team, helping to inspire and develop the next generation of roofing professionals.
Heidi J. Ellsworth
United States
Heidi J. Ellsworth
United States
Heidi J. Ellsworth, President and CEO of The Coffee Shops, has been a leading figure in the US roofing industry since 1993. Throughout her career, she has held key positions at companies including Malarkey Roofing Products, Carlisle Construction Materials and EagleView Technologies.
As RoofersCoffeeShop® approaches its 25th anniversary in 2027, Heidi continues to champion industry education, advocacy and innovation through one of the roofing industry's most influential online communities.
A founding member of National Women in Roofing (NWIR), she served as the association's first chairperson for its first two years. In 2020, she received the WORLD Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership and contributions to the roofing industry.
Heidi is also a member of the National Slate Association, supporting the preservation of traditional craftsmanship and the continued development of the natural slate roofing industry.
Henri Lefin
Belgium
Henri Lefin
Belgium
Henri Lefin's passion for natural slate began at a very young age. By the age of six, he was already exploring rooftops, and at just 12, he was laying his first slates. A true lifetime dedicated to the craft!
After learning the trade in his family's roofing business and earning a degree in Economics, Henri decided to start his own business in 1997. Three years later, he joined forces with Sandra Swennen to establish Toiture Lefin, a company built on experience, tradition and a passion for quality craftsmanship.
Today, Henri continues to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for a craft he has known since childhood.
Sébastien Therenty
France
Sébastien Therenty
France
Passionate about roofing since the age of 14, Sébastien Therenty has come a long way from his early days as an apprentice to becoming a business owner. Throughout his career, he has worked on some of the most iconic buildings in and around Paris, including the Arc de Triomphe, Ivry-sur-Seine Town Hall and the King's Stables at Versailles.
Beyond his experience on the rooftops, Sébastien is a strong advocate for passing on traditional skills to future generations. His goal is to raise the profile of the slate roofing profession and help preserve a craft that remains as relevant as ever.
Hall of fame
Past winners
“We loved being part of this year's Best of the Best contest, it was really an incredible confidence boost. It was very exciting to see all those votes coming in, it was a fabulous experience"
"I will not hesitate to reach out to other companies and encourage them to participate. It is important that the craft of installation and the experience of our French companies be recognised worldwide."
"The results of this contest show that many people appreciate what we do as craftsmen, and I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase my work alongside some of the best installers in Europe"
"Receiving this international recognition is a source of pride for the entire technical team of both Universities as it helps to give visibility to the project"
