Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro in Kilkenny has taken the top accolade in the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards for the second time. The bakery, run by couple Nicole Server-Pawlukojc and Bart Pawlukojc, took the supreme champion award for its Arán spelt sourdough, made with 80 per cent local spelt flour from Kells Wholemeal. The bakery, which becomes the first two-time winner, previously took the title in 2022.
“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 Pawlukojc as he accepted the award on Friday evening during the weekend-long Blas na hÉireann event in Dingle, Co Kerry.
“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.”
The winning loaf is described as having “a distinctive, slightly nutty flavour, finished with sesame seeds to accentuate the unique characteristics of the grain”.
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From Poland, Pawlukojc and his wife Server-Pawlukojc, from the Philippines, met while working as interns at Noma, the storied restaurant in Copenhagen. They opened Arán in 2019 and have since expanded into a restaurant space across the road, with plans for a nearby tea room now at an advanced stage.
Speaking to The Irish Times, Pawlukojc said he was “incredibly proud” of the business and of the Arán team. He and Server-Pawlukojc are lucky to run an “extremely busy” operation, he said, but he described the general business environment as “absolutely horrible” in light of rising costs such as gas bills.
“Without debt, we wouldn’t exist,” he said, adding that he worries about other businesses. “If somebody’s not as busy as us, I wouldn’t want to be in their position.”
The Blas na hÉireann awards are now in their 19th year. More than 3,000 products were entered across more than 200 food and drink categories. Every county in Ireland was represented.
This year’s award for best artisan producer went to Co Cork-based Second Street for its Toffee Popcorn Brittle. Founded by Claire Keane, Second Street Bakeshop specialises in toffee brittle, with an emphasis on simple, natural ingredients. Keane said she was “absolutely thrilled” with the recognition.
Artie Clifford, chairperson of Blas na hÉireann, said the standard of entries to the awards had continued to climb this year.
“2026 has once again shown us just how exciting and dynamic Ireland’s food and drink industry is,” he said. “Reaching the finalist stage is a remarkable achievement in itself, and to take home a Blas award is brilliant recognition of the hard work and passion that goes into every product.”
