Blas na hÉireann, the annual Irish Food Awards held each year in Dingle, Co Kerry, has announced its 2026 supreme champion and it is none other than Arán Bakery & Bistro in Kilkenny. Owners Nicole Server-Pawlukojc and Bart Pawlukojc met while working at Noma in Copenhagen before marrying, moving to Ireland and starting their business.
They not only take home the much-coveted supreme champion trophy - they are the only producers to have won supreme champion twice, having first been honoured with the title in 2022.
Over the years, the breads and pastries produced by Bart, Nicole and their team at Arán have consistently impressed the Blas na hÉireann judges. This year, it was their spelt sourdough which earned them the top prize.
“To win supreme champion once was an incredible honour, but to come back four years later and win it again is something we never could have imagined,” said Bart. “There is so much talent and passion in Irish food, so to have our bread recognised at this level is a huge moment for the whole Arán team. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built in Kilkenny and of the people who make it happen every day.”
Mary Morrissey, senior manager of Prepared Consumer Foods at Bord Bia, who support the supreme champion award, said: “On behalf of Bord Bia, I would like to warmly congratulate Arán Bakery & Bistro on being named supreme champion at Blas na hÉireann 2026. Awards such as Blas play an important role in the wider Irish food, drink and horticulture industry by recognising the quality, ambition and innovation that continue to define Irish producers."
The supreme champion announcement came after a full day of awards given out to food producers from across the island of Ireland. Chefs, producers, journalists and retailers flock to the Dingle peninsula each year for the "Blas", as it provides ample opportunity to try new products, meet with winners and celebrate the very best of Irish food.
"Even if you don't walk away with a gold, bronze or silver, [as a finalist] you can still walk away knowing your product is one of the top five [in its category] in the country," said 2026 producer champion Graham Herterich on the opening night. Graham is both a retailer, stocking Irish made products in his two shops, and a food producer. This year, his artisan brack came away with a silver medal.
Best artisan producer
Meanwhile, Second Street Bakeshop has taken home the best artisan producer title, supported by the LEO Network, for its Toffee Popcorn Brittle. Founded by Claire Keane, the bakery champions all-natural ingredients and places sustainability at the heart of its operation.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to receive the best artisan producer award for Second Street Bakeshop,” she said. “Our Toffee Popcorn Brittle is all about using simple, natural ingredients to make something that people genuinely love to eat, so to have it recognised by Blas na hÉireann is incredibly rewarding.”
Now in their 19th year, Blas na hÉireann celebrated another bumper year, with over 3,000 products from every county in Ireland competing across more than 200 food and drink categories.
Speaking after the announcement, Artie Clifford, chairperson of Blas na hÉireann, said: “2026 has once again shown us just how exciting and dynamic Ireland’s food and drink industry is. The standard of entries continues to climb, with producers demonstrating incredible creativity and a real commitment to quality.
"It’s particularly special to see producers from across the country come together in Dingle to share their stories, celebrate their successes and champion the very best of Irish food and drink. Blas is about much more than awards – it’s about celebrating the people and community behind one of Ireland’s most ever-evolving industries.”
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