Bagels of the Year 2024: Karl Confectionery and Még1kiflit Bakery on the podium

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 11. 20. 11:18

The Hungarian Confectionery Association announced the Beggar of the Year competition again this year, in which domestic confectioneries, artisan bakeries and catering establishments could present their best bagel specialties. The aim of the competition, which was held for the fifth time, is to promote artisanal quality and draw attention to the traditional Hungarian holiday cake.

Winners of 2024

Winners were announced in three categories at the competition: traditional walnut, traditional poppy seed and gourmet.

Traditional walnut category:

The gold medal was won by Zsolt Karl, owner of Karl Cukrászda in Dunaharaszti.
The silver medal was won by Mrs. Anikó Fazekasné Both (Both Cukrászda, Tolna), and the bronze medal was won by Károlyné Kiss (Major Cukrászda, Budapest).

Traditional poppy seed category:

The gold medal went to the bagel made by Viktor Bánki of the Még1kiflit Kézműves Pékség in Budapest.
The silver medal went to Krisztina Virágh (Némi Kenyér Pékség, Budapest), and the bronze medal went to Zsombor Szabó (Mignon Cucrászda, Debrecen).

Gourmet category:
The winner in this category was Zsolt Karl (Karl Cucrászda, Dunaharaszti)’s Bíboros bagel. The specialty, filled with prunes, red wine, walnuts and quince cheese, was made from traditional Bratislava dough and offered a rich harmony of Christmas flavors.

The silver medal went to Jenő Vadócz (Promenád Kávéház, Balatongyörök)’s Téli Ambrozia bagel, and the bronze medal went to Péter Vámosi (Karl Kávézó, Dunaharaszti)’s Csendes éj manna.
Craftsman of the Year Award

The Craftsman of the Year Award, given to the contestant with the highest total score, was also given to Zsolt Karl (Karl Confectionery), who achieved outstanding results in several categories.

Trends and curiosities

The special feature of this year’s competition was the creative use of ingredients. In the gourmet category, the contestants used special ingredients such as pecans, figs, black cherries, blueberries, sour cherries, pistachios, pumpkin and beets. In addition to Christmas spices – such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg – there were also flavors such as ginger, star anise and fennel.