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Winners of Denmark’s Best Baker and Cocktail Championship Revealed
arrow_backTo the overview14 April 2026
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The winners of Denmark’s Best Baker and the Danish Cocktail Championship were both found and celebrated on the second day of Foodexpo, where several prestigious awards were presented.
The exhibition, which serves as the central meeting place for the food industry, takes place at MCH Messecenter Herning from March 22–24, 2026.
Sanjiv Giri from Maison D'Brød (center) won the title of Denmark’s Best Baker on Monday at Foodexpo and received the award from Minister for Economic Affairs Stephanie Lose (left). On the right is John Jønsson, chairman of BKD (The Danish Bakers’ and Confectioners’ Association). Photo: MCH/Lars Møller.
Following an eventful first day of the fair, where among others Chef of the Year and Waiter of the Year were announced, Foodexpo’s extensive competition program continued on day two, featuring, among many other prestigious contests, Denmark’s Best Baker and the Danish Cocktail Championship.
Denmark’s Best Baker was won by Sanjiv Giri from Maison D'Brød, who sees great potential in the victory:
“It was a tough competition, and all the participants were really good, so I am both very happy and surprised. I run my own business, so it means a lot to me to win—perhaps it can give my business a boost and bring in more customers. In any case, I hope my current customers will be pleased to know they are getting winning bread from one of Denmark’s best.”
The competition was organized by BKD (The Danish Bakers’ and Confectioners’ Association), and the award was presented by Minister for Economic Affairs Stephanie Lose.
A fantastic title
The Danish Cocktail Championship also took place on the second day of Foodexpo, where Joel Helin from The Cocktail Experience and St. Pauls Apothek triumphed. He was both speechless and overjoyed afterward:
“I’m completely shocked and can hardly believe it, because there were so many really great cocktails. It’s my first competition, and it’s such an amazing title, so it means everything to me. I’m incredibly proud, and the first thing I’ll do is call my mom and tell her. It’s the first time I’ve won such a fine gold medal, so it will have a very special place at home.”
The competition was organized by Bartender.dk by Mixology International.
More competitions
In addition to Denmark’s Best Baker and the Danish Cocktail Championship, Foodexpo on Monday also hosted Green Chef International and Green Canteen Menu of the Year, which were won by Bjarke Jeppesen and Magnus Lund from Treetop Restaurant and Gastro Kantiner from Viborg, respectively.
Additionally, the Student Competitions of the Year featured the country’s most talented chef and waiter students competing to become Denmark’s best in their respective categories. In the chef category, Magnus K. Ravnbo (Restaurant Lieffroy) and Cecilie Gade (Treetop Restaurant) from Kold College won, while Mathilde Førster (Sandvad Kro) and Kasper T. Larsen (Molskroen) from College360 won in the waiter category.
On Tuesday, one of Foodexpo’s most famous and prestigious competitions awaits: Denmark’s Best Rum Ball, most recently won by Nyemans Bakery in Aabenraa in 2024. In addition, Ready Steady Cook and Nordic Chef & Waiter will take place.
Foodexpo takes place at MCH Messecenter Herning from March 22–24, 2026. Read more at foodexpo.dk and apply for press accreditation here.
Foodexpo is organized by MCH Messecenter Herning and developed in collaboration with 13 industry associations and organizations: BFS – The Association for Large Kitchen Equipment, BKC – The Association for Coffee and Convenience Solutions, BKD – Danish Bakers and Confectioners, Danish Fishmongers, The Danish Grocers’ Association, DSM – Danish Butchers, The Association for Canteen and Kitchen, FødevareDanmark, The Food Club, HORESTA, The Danish Diet and Nutrition Association, and MLDK – The Danish Brand Manufacturers and Local Shop Association.
Competition winners at Foodexpo 2026:
Sunday, March 22
Chef of the Year – Lucas Juhl Nielsen, Treetop Restaurant
Waiter of the Year – Oskar Mathiassen, Atelier 33 and Bouchon
Denmark’s Best Pastry Chef – Allan Colding-Andersen, Bodenhoff Bakery
Danish Champion in Mocktails – Sophie Jacobsen, Lego Campus
Denmark’s Best Grilled Sausage (standard frankfurter/vienna sausage) – Chr. Vollstedt (Frankfurter)
Denmark’s Best Salami in Artificial Casing – Chr. Vollstedt (Jalapeño salami)
Denmark’s Best Liver Pâté – PølseMageriet (liver pâté with crispy bacon cubes)
Denmark’s Best Pork Crackling – Slagter Matthiasen (apple and smoked salt)
Denmark’s Best Snack Sausage – Slagter Christiansen (air-dried snack sausage)
Denmark’s Best Grilled Sausage (various flavor combinations) – Chr. Vollstedt (French delights with parsley)
Denmark’s Best Salami in Natural Casing – Slagter Matthiasen (hazelnut salami)
Monday, March 23
Denmark’s Best Baker – Sanjiv Giri, Maison D'Brød
Danish Cocktail Championship – Joel Helin, The Cocktail Experience and St. Pauls Apothek
Green Chef International – Bjarke Jeppesen and Magnus Lund, Treetop Restaurant
Green Canteen Menu of the Year – Gastro Kantiner, Viborg
Student Competitions of the Year –
Chef category: Magnus K. Ravnbo (Restaurant Lieffroy) and Cecilie Gade (Treetop Restaurant), Kold College
Waiter category: Mathilde Førster (Sandvad Kro) and Kasper T. Larsen (Molskroen), College360
Denmark’s Best Smoked Cheese Salad – Steensgaard, Odense
Denmark’s Best Whipped Cream Cheese with Garlic – Steensgaard, Odense
Denmark’s Best Whipped Cream Cheese without Garlic – JAMA Ost
