Gala Retail and Virgin Media Television have officially crowned the winners of Ireland’s Best Baker and Junior Baker of the Year 2026, following a nationwide search celebrating Ireland’s home baking talent.
Now in its second year, the competition attracted hundreds of entries from passionate home bakers across the country, with finalists coming together to take part in a live bake-off final at Airfield Estate, Dundrum, where their bakes were judged by baking expert Catherine Leyden alongside TV presenter Cassie Stokes.
Taking home the title of Ireland’s Best Baker 2026 with Gala Retail was Vincent Kelly, from Douglas, Co. Cork, whose traditional brown bread earned him the top spot in the competition. The Junior Baker of the Year title was awarded to Lucy Carroll from Moate, Westmeath, for her standout lemon drizzle cake.
The competition featured a total prize fund of €4,500 and was supported by O’Brien Ingredients, Ireland’s leading bakery ingredients supplier. The initiative was promoted nationwide across Virgin Media, and the competition final was filmed for Virgin Media Television’s Ireland AM, giving finalists the opportunity to showcase their baking talents and personal stories to audiences nationwide.
Joining Vincent in the Ireland’s Best Baker final were Vivienne Dineen from Ballyheigue, Kerry, who baked chocolate fudge brownies with a butterscotch sauce, and Aulbright Nyih from Swords, Dublin with her death by chocolate muffins.
The competition also celebrated up-and-coming talent in the Junior Baker of the Year category, open to bakers aged 12 to 16. Lucy was joined by Jack Duggan from Galway, whose chocolate chip muffins were highly praised by the judges, while Felix McCormack from Enfield, Meath impressed with his sweet potato brownie tray bake.
Commenting on the standard of entries, Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, said:
“The response to this year’s competition has been fantastic and once again highlighted the baking talent that exists in communities across Ireland. The standard was exceptionally high, with finalists bringing creativity, personality and unique twists on classic recipes.
“Gala stores are at the heart of communities across Ireland, and Ireland’s Best Baker has become a great way to celebrate local talent. It’s been great to see bakers of all ages share family recipes, original ideas and their love of baking, while our partnership with Virgin Media Television has helped showcase that talent on a national stage.
“Congratulations to both Vincent and Lucy, and all of this year’s finalists on their achievements. They should be very proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
Ireland’s Best Baker is one of several initiatives by Gala Retail to support and celebrate community involvement across Ireland. With more than 220 independently owned stores nationwide, Gala Retail has a longstanding commitment to supporting local communities and sports across Ireland.
