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The Best Croissant UK competition is back for its 4th edition! After three successful years celebrating the craft of British bakeries, the competition returns once again to recognise the finest croissants being made across the UK. From independent bakeries to world-renowned hotels, the Best Croissant competition aims to celebrate excellence, artisanal craft and shine a light on the remarkable quality of croissants produced across the UK today.

Registration

Registration takes place between 1st April 2026 and 1st May 2026.

All establishments in the UK that sell croissants are eligible to register. The UK will be divided into two regions: North and South. Each participant must select the region that corresponds to the location of their business (see the map below for the regional division).

Registration is simple. Just click on “Register” on this website and complete the registration form.

Please note that places are limited: 50 places are available for the North and 50 for the South.

Rules of the competition

Semi Finals

The UK will be divided into two regions : North and South, each hosting a semi-final in June.

Manchester (North region) –8 finalists will be selected during the semi-final on 29th May.

London (South region) –12 finalists will be selected during the semi-final on 27th May.

The semi-finalists will have to bring their freshly baked croissants to the semi-finals where a panel of judges will evaluate them and determine the finalists.

Full details about the semi-finals, including the exact locations, number of croissants to bring, timings, will be shared with all participants once registration closes.

Final in London

The final of the competition will take place on Friday 16th October 2026 at The Savoy in London.

On the day of the final, the 20 finalists will bring their freshly baked croissants to The Savoy in London, where our expert judges will taste them to determine the winner of the competition.

This year we’re bringing a new exciting challenge for all finalists: the Creative Pastry Award. Finalists will be invited to also present a creative pastry made with croissant dough. The President of the Jury will communicate a theme to the finalists in advance and the creations will be evaluated during the final. A separate prize will be awarded for the Best Creative Pastry. All rules and details for this new challenge will be shared with the selected finalists after the semi-finals.

Map of the United Kingdom with regions North and South outlined in pink and blue 
FAQs

  • All bakeries selling croissants and located in the UK are eligible to enter the competition. You must have a sales outlet (such as a shop, cafe, market stall…) to be eligible to enter.

    Private individuals are not permitted to enter.

    Entries are open from 1st April to 1st May 2026.

  • The panel of judges for the semi-finals will be announced before each semi-final. The judges for the final will be announced over the summer.

  • The judges will use the following scoring system:

    ·       Shape, regularity & volume: 20 points

    ·       Colour & pastry development: 20 points

    ·       Texture: 20 points

    ·       Taste: 20 points.

  • No. You must participate in the semi-final corresponding to the region where your business is based.

A golden trophy with a croissant on a white plate in front of a person in a white chef's coat.
Multiple golden-brown croissants arranged on a black and white striped surface.
A woman with red hair and a black bandana examining croissants on a table in a bakery or restaurant setting.
Broken croissants on a black and white surface.
People examining croissants displayed on a long table during a culinary event.
Group of chefs and judges examining a selection of croissants and pastries displayed on a table at a pastry competition or culinary event.
Rows of croissants on display at an event or bakery, with a person in formal attire in the background.
People attending a social event in a well-lit, elegant room, socializing and holding drinks near a buffet table with food.
Two people judging a croissant tasting contest, with croissants placed on black and white boards labeled 16 and 17.
Selection of freshly baked croissants and bread on display at a bakery or breakfast buffet, with people serving themselves in the background.
Three men sitting on stage during a panel discussion at a formal event, with a large screen behind them displaying their names and titles.
Group of culinary finalists and judges posing for a photo in a banquet hall with a large screen displaying a map of the United Kingdom and logos, some holding paper bags with logos.
Group of people attending an indoor event, standing attentively in a well-lit room, dressed casually and professionally.
People sitting around a round table in a conference room, engaged in a meeting or discussion, with papers, notebooks, and a laptop on the table.
A man in a black tuxedo with a red vest and black bow tie speaking at a podium at a formal event.
A pastry chef's award trophy next to a croissant on a white plate.
A man in a green sweater receives a trophy and handshakes with an older man in a suit at an award ceremony, with other people clapping in the background.
A young man in a white chef's jacket receiving an award from two men in suits during a ceremony with several people clapping in the background. The event appears to celebrate culinary achievements at a venue with banners and a large screen.
Awards on display including two wooden plaques for second and third place, and a gold trophy in the shape of a croissant with a black and gold croissant emblem, all from the 2025 croissant contest in the UK.
Group of people on stage celebrating, one man holding a trophy with a croissant design, in front of a large screen displaying the event's logo and a chef holding a croissant.
View of Savoy Hotel with flags and a golden statue of a soldier holding a shield and spear on the facade.