The air is already filled with the scent of the solstice, tradition, and the eve of the most magical night of the year. Yesterday, the walls of the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm in Barcelona became the epicenter of artisanal confectionery with the celebration of the eighth edition of the professional competition “La Millor Coca de Sant Joan.” The contest, carefully organized by the Gremi de Flequers de la Província de Barcelona and coordinated by the culinary agency Sr y Sra Cake, has flourished this year with an unprecedented milestone: nearly 300 artisanal creations have gathered to compete for the throne of the festival.
Amid the aromas of toasted pine nuts, sugar, butter, and puff pastry, a jury of renowned master bakers and pastry chefs had the delicate task of evaluating the entries.The experts unanimously praised the exceptionally high standard and technical finesse of the entries, on a day where reverential respect for traditional roots blended harmoniously with the avant-garde and the constant evolution of bakeries that pay meticulous attention to every detail.
The two bakeries in Barcelona that make the best Sant Joan cake of 2026
Barcelona’s bakeries have taken center stage in this edition, earning notable accolades thanks to the quality of their artisanal creations. In the heart of the Catalan capital, the iconic Pastisseria Hofmann (Carrer dels Flassaders, 44, Barcelona) took first place in the Creative Coca category, solidifying its leadership in innovation. Likewise, Pastisseria Faixat (Carrer de Muntaner, 159-161, Barcelona) achieved an outstanding second place in the Coca de Llardons category, while Arenas Molins (Carrer de Berlín, 24, Barcelona) took second prize in the Coca de Crema i Pinyons category.
Alongside the success of Barcelona’s bakeries, the contest set a new record: two businesses achieved a double victory by winning awards in two different categories.El Forn Saga (Carrer de Roger de Flor, 45, Granollers) took the top prize in both the Coca de Llardons and the Coca de Crema i Pinyons categories. For its part, Pastisseria Tornés (Carrer del Migdia, 51, Girona) took the podium twice, winning first prize in the Traditional Fruit Coca category and second place in the Chocolate Coca category.
The complete list of winners and the locations of all the distinguished bakeries in this eighth edition are as follows:
- Coca de Llardons: First prize for Forn Saga (Carrer de Roger de Flor, 45, Granollers) and second prize for Pastisseria Faixat (Carrer de Muntaner, 159-161, Barcelona).
- Creative Coca: First prize went to Hofmann (Carrer dels Flassaders, 44, Barcelona) and second prize to La Boulangerie (Carrer Major, 16, Tona).
- Traditional Fruit Coca: First prize for Pastisseria Tornés (Carrer del Migdia, 51, Girona) and second prize for Alejandro Pastisser (Avinguda d’Amèrica, 47, Mataró).
- Coca de Crema i Pinyons: First prize for Forn Saga (Carrer de Roger de Flor, 45, Granollers) and second prize for Arenas Molins (Carrer de Berlín, 24, Barcelona).
- Chocolate Coca: First prize went to Forn de Cabrianes (Camí de Viladordis, 1, Sant Fruitós de Bages) and second prize to Pastisseria Tornés (Carrer del Migdia, 51, Girona).