SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 4, 2025 – The international spotlight turns to Düsseldorf this May as the iba UIBC Cup of Bakers 2025 brings together top-tier bakery talent from six nations in a live, high-stakes contest of artisan skill and creativity. Taking place on May 18–19 at the world-renowned iba trade fair, this gold medal competition highlights not just technical excellence but also cross-border collaboration in the global baking industry.
Live Show Bakery Competition Elevates Global Artisan Standards
Held in hall 14 of the iba trade fair, the UIBC Cup of Bakers presents a unique blend of competition and showmanship. Participants from Germany, France, Iceland, Jordan, the Netherlands, and Sweden will compete live before an international audience and expert jury, producing edible masterpieces under the theme “Art.”
The competition challenges each team of two to produce a wide array of products—including breads, small pastries, Danish pastries, and a signature showpiece—all within six hours. With glass show bakeries offering full visibility, visitors can witness the precision, speed, and artistic flair of each team in real-time.
Strategic Exposure at the Heart of the Global Baking Industry
iba 2025, hosted by the German Baker’s Confederation (Zentralverband des Deutschen Bäckerhandwerks), is the world’s leading trade fair for the baking and confectionery industry. It serves as a crucial platform for suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers to engage, source innovation, and explore international trends. With 57,000 trade visitors from 150 countries and over 1,000 exhibiting companies at the last edition in 2023, iba offers unparalleled visibility for participants and sponsors alike.
For competing bakers, the UIBC Cup is more than a contest—it is a strategic career milestone. “The competition is the premier class for us and it is an honour to be able to represent Germany against the international competition,” said Johanna Lenhardt, who, along with teammate Lea Wagner, will represent Germany. Wagner added, “Above all, we are looking forward to exchanging ideas with our foreign colleagues. After all, we all belong to the big baking family.”
Expert Judging Reinforces Excellence and Fairness
The competition is judged by an international panel of esteemed professionals: Urs Röthlin (Switzerland), Jimmy Griffin (Ireland), Josef Schrott (Austria), and jury chairman Andreas Schmidt (Germany). “The iba UIBC Cup of Bakers competition is a wonderful opportunity for talented bakers to prove themselves on an international level,” said Schmidt. “As in the past, we expect outstanding work at the highest level.”
Key judging times include:
- 1:00 pm (Sunday and Monday): Danish pastries, biscuits, and party products
- 3:30 pm (Sunday and Monday): Presentation of showpieces
- 4:00 pm (Sunday and Monday): Bread and the Masterpiece category
The award ceremony will take place at 5:30 pm on Monday, May 19 at the iba.FORUM.
Industry Collaboration and Innovation on Display
The competition aligns closely with iba’s mission to foster innovation, technical advancement, and professional exchange in the bakery sector. The event's interactive format enhances knowledge sharing, positioning participating bakers not only as artisans but also as ambassadors of international best practices.
Competing Countries and Teams
- Germany: Johanna Lenhardt & Lea Wagner
- France: Corentin Molina & Yannis Thouys
- Iceland: Sigrun Sol Vigfusdottir & Nastasja Kiencke
- Jordan: Hala Abu Jbara & Tand Murad
- Netherlands: Mike Onase & Gerrit Huckriede
- Sweden: Andrea Wiberg & Cassandra Persson
Team performances are scheduled as follows:
- Sunday, May 18: Iceland, Netherlands, Sweden
- Monday, May 19: Germany, France, Jordan
A Strategic Stage for the Future of Baking
With the 2025 edition held in Düsseldorf, iba continues to serve as a cornerstone event for global bakery innovation, bridging the gap between tradition and future-forward practices. The UIBC Cup of Bakers embodies the fair’s ethos of excellence, collaboration, and inspiration for the next generation of bakery professionals.
To explore the full program and learn more about iba 2025, visit https://www.iba.de.