Team China wins »The Iba.UIBC.CUP of Bakers 2023«

Munich / DE. (ghm) Lin Yeqiang and Feng Yingjie from China win «The Iba.UIBC.CUP of Bakers 2023». Teams from 12 countries competed live for the gold medal at this year’s cup at one of the world’s leading trade fairs for the baking and confectionery industry in Munich, Germany. The winners were announced and celebrated at 5:30 pm on Tuesday 24 October. Congratulations to the winners and all participants.

Hands dusted in flour, the aroma of fresh dough and a top-level live demonstration: for three whole days, the atmosphere was very tense in the glass show bakeries in hall A4. From 22 to 24 October 2023, the fully equipped bakeries were the venue for «The Iba.UIBC.CUP of Bakers». Working in teams of two, 12 nations took on the great challenge. They included the best bakers from Peru, Japan, France, China, Greece, Germany, Korea, Iceland, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Italy. The theme for this year’s competition was «The Animal World», around which contestants had to create breads, small bakery products, party products, Danish pastries, and a baked showpiece. The competition was one of the highlights of Iba, not only for the participants and panel of judges but also for visitors, who were able to cheer on their favourites live on site: making creative and edible works of art in a limited amount of time in front of the panel of judges and many visitors – that was the ultimate challenge facing the top teams.

After an intensive preparation period, which began months prior to the trade fair, «The Iba.UIBC.CUP of Bakers» was the crowning finale. «I congratulate all the participants for this outstanding achievement. That was craftsmanship of the highest international level! The competition challenges the bakers to use their skills very precisely without getting flustered. Time is short, tension is high. Every step has to be perfect,» said Michael Wippler, President of the Zentralverband des Deutschen Bäckerhandwerks (central association of German bakers). The showpiece was judged in the bakery before being brought to the presentation table. The baked goods were judged in a transparent manner in the Iba.Forum on every competition day.

The title winners were then announced at the award ceremony in the Iba.Forum at 5:30 pm on Tuesday 24 October. There was great applause when the two winnersLin Yeqiang and Feng Yingjie accepted the coveted award, presented by Michael Wippler and chair of the panel of judges Wolfgang Schäfer. Taking second place were Hwang Seokyong and Han Seokwang from South Korea. Third place went to Nicole Mittmann and Patrick Mittmann from Germany. The award for «Best Danish pastries» and for the category «Best Bread» also went to Lin Yeqiang and Feng Yingjie from China. Honoured in the «Best Small Bakery Products and Party Products» category were Nicolo Motto and Matteo Manuini from Italy. The prize for best showpiece was won by the German team: Nicole and Patrick Mittmann.

Participants and countries in alphabetical order