Northern Ireland bakers invited to take up 'best croissant' challenge hosted by Andrew Ingredients in Lisburn

Artisan bakers are being invited to put their lamination skills to the test as the Best Croissant Competition returns for its second year on Monday, November 2.

Organised by The Edinburgh Butter Company, the competition celebrates the talent and craftsmanship of Northern Ireland’s independent bakeries, with this year’s event taking place at Andrew Ingredients in Lisburn, gold sponsor and host.

Registered bakeries from across Northern Ireland are invited to enter six plain croissants, made using The Edinburgh Butter Company’s cultured butter sheets, specially developed for pastry lamination. Every entrant will receive two complimentary sheets to practise with and use for the competition.

The croissants will be judged on appearance, lamination, texture and flavour by Jimmy Griffin, master baker and lamination specialist; food champion Paula McIntyre; and reigning champion and artisan baker Saul Kearney.

The winner will take home a bespoke trophy created by Metal Moran, with prizes also awarded for second and third place. All entrants will receive a goodie bag and enjoy coffee sampling by gold sponsor Lucid Coffee Roasters.

New for 2026 is a Best Off-Cuts Bake competition, giving entrants the chance to create something inventive using the pastry off-cuts from their croissants.

The event will also give bakers the opportunity to network, meet fellow industry professionals and enjoy sponsor tastings and presentations while the judging takes place.

Chloe Black, director of The Edinburgh Butter Company, said: “Northern Ireland has an incredible community of artisan bakers, and last year’s competition showed just how much talent there is here. We wanted to create an event that celebrates not only the perfect croissant, but the people, passion and craftsmanship behind it.”

Claire Andrew of Andrew Ingredients commented: “We’re delighted to host Northern Ireland’s Best Croissant Competition and support an event that celebrates the incredible talent within our local baking industry.

"We see the passion and dedication of Northern Ireland’s bakers every day, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to Lisburn and finding out who will be crowned this year’s winner.”

The Edinburgh Butter Company supplies bakeries across Northern Ireland and the UK with cultured butter sheets for viennoiserie and pastry making.

Entries close on September 30. Bakers can enter and find full competition details at https://bestcroissantcompetitions.co.uk/northern-ireland/