2026 participants
2026 10 26, Dūmų fabrikas
Winners
1st place presented by DVARO: Café de Pacai
Restaurant team: Evaldas Juška, Edvinas Gurinas, Mariana Pishta, Irina Krasnokutska
Combination: Cheese and Wine / Brie De Meaux cheesecake , piemonte hazelnuts , full Dvaro butter biscuits
Wine: Chateau de Fargues Lur Saluces Sauternes 2002
Special nominations:
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Foodies’ Choice Award
2nd place presented by Vyno klubas: Red Brick
Restaurant team: Ignas Damanskas, Tomas Židovainis, Paulius Kučiauskas, Simonas Laukaitis
Combination: The Lithuanian Pistachio – the Pumpkin / Chaga mushroom and pumpkin sponge cake, plums, plum kernel cream, smoked chicken
Wine: Ximenez-Spinola Jerez Old Harvest Medium Dry 2015
Special nominations:
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Most Lithuanian Dessert presented by DVARO
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Best Wine presented by Liebherr
3rd place: Somm
Restaurant team: Algimantas Kviklys, Ingrida Komisarovaitė, Narimantas Miežys
Combination: Umami Citrus / Yuzu and apple ice cream, miso caramel, citrus mousse
Wine: Weingut Gesellmann Beerenauslese 2022
Special nominations:
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Lightest Pairing presented by Akvilė Water
Winners of special nominations
Après-Spa Award presented by Lithuania Travel: Eleno by Martyn Meid
Restaurant team: Martynas Meidus, Gintarė Ramančionytė, Vilius Belousovas, Yan Biazruchka, Dainora Eleonora
Combination: Horseradish / Nori seaweed sablé, tofu and horseradish ice cream, yuzu honey, fig leaf espuma, burnt kelp meringue
Wine: Domaine Touchais, Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon 1998
Valrhona Award for respect for ingredients presented by Valrhona
and
The Public’s Choice award presented by the Lithuanian Sommelier School:
Sija
Restaurant team: Mantas Jurkus, Rokas Vasiliauskas, Karina Milostnaja, Laura Skliuderytė
Combination: Plum and a Chicken / Chaga mushroom and pumpkin sponge cake, plums, plum kernel cream, smoked chicken
Wine: Ximenez-Spinola Jerez Old Harvest Medium Dry 2015
Other participants
Skóg team: Arnór Ingi Bjarkason, Lina Marija Balčiūnaitė, Rie Nonaka, Matas Kirdulis, Blues
Combination: Crème Caramel & Sauternes / Créme caramel , the custard is infused with boletus mushrooms, caramel made from apples, candied pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed praline, caviar & salo
Wine: Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes 1er Grand Cru Classe 2022
Oecumene Champagne & Wine Bar team: Anna Levkovich, Katsiaryna Fiodarava, Volha Stepanova, Julia Kursa, Andrey Strocau
Combination: The Sphere / Ryazhenka-based ganache infused with smoked eel, layered with white and dark chocolate, dark rye bread crumble scented with coriander and muscovado, finished with eel oil and bright yuzu gelée
Wine: Clos Uroulat Jurançon AOC 2017
DIA team: Eitvydas Gudauskas, Vilius Vėberis, Marius Paplauskas, Vaiva Koneva, Šarūnas Grėsius
Combination: Blazing Autumn / Hokkaido pumpkin, white chocolate, quince jam, tonka, burnt butter ice cream, butter biscuit crumbs, pumpkin juice glace, pumpkin jelly, hazelnuts
Wine: Planeta Passito Di Noto BIO 2024
Deep Roots team: Asta Oleškevičiūtė, Andžej Traskovskij, Simonas Laukaitis
Combination: Small Salad / Sorbet made from sorrel, yoghurt meringue, goat’s milk cheese cream, radish leaf pesto, radish juice snow
Wine: Weinrieder Beerenauslese Ried Hohenleiten Chardonnay 2020
Telegrafas team: Darius Stakelė, Jonas Babilius, Donatas Šatkauskas
Combination: Flamenko / Cheese puffs, raspberries, kiwi, Timut pepper
Wine: Kracher Beerenauslese Red Roses 2023
Amandus team: Miglė Zencevičiūtė, Urtė Budnikaitė, Rita Vareikienė Ramanauskaitė, Vytautas Čeplinskas, Deivydas Praspaliauskas
Combination: 10 Carrots / Carrots, butter, eggs, flour, sugar, sea buckthorn, oranges, double cream, cream cheese, apples, almonds, miso
Wine: Il Poggione Sant'Antimo Vin Santo Riserva 2010
Saint-Malo team: Valerija Ufimceva, Valentin Davydov, Ignatij Semionov, Karolina Žigaitė
Combination: Les Dumplings au Citron / Curd cheese-filled dumplings, Jurançon sabayon, citrus confit, candied peel
Wine: Clos Uroulat Jurancon 2021
Neringa team: Rugilė Matulevičiūtė, Petras Jarašūnas, Honorata Lyndė, Rūta Tamulienė, Linas Žemaitis
Combination: Auksis / Apple Auksis Lithuanian rye bread Hazelnuts
Wine: Gramona VI de Glass Gewurztraminer 2024
Ertlio namas team: Žana Maksimova, Gabija Venslovaitė-Lienienė, Albina Versockytė, Amira Solovjova, Tomas Rimydis
Combination: Lithuanian Taste dessert+wine / Andrutai with Rye Bread, Beetroot, and Goat’s Cheese
Wine: Šušvės mead
T.A.I.P. cake team: Alena Kollerova, Kirill Morozov, Aida Lucinavicius, Viktorija Pranevič/Hatsommwine, Aurelija Plūkė
Combination: Secrets of the Earth / Beneath its matte chocolate shell lies a silky Valrhona 70% dark chocolate ganache, with a heart of salted caramel infused with black truffle. The dessert rests on crunchy chocolate-hazelnut soil made with hazelnut flour, accompanied by a cherry sauce with pieces of dried cherries. At the moment of serving, warm chocolate sauce is poured onto the plate, completing the composition. The dessert is finished with delicate slices of fresh black truffle and edible gold leaf
Wine: M. Chapoutier Rivesaltes Vin Doux Naturel Rouge AOC 1995, France
14Horses team: Kateryna Yanko, Aleksandras Fedorovičius, Martynas Mičiulis, Ela Marija Žoromskė, Matas Simaitis
Combination: Bread and Jam / Black bread, lingon berries, malt, caramelised chocolate, porter and liquorice syrup
Wine: J.H. Andresen Vintage Port 2003
Navalis team: Tomas Petrikas, Donatas Kučikas
Combination: Late Harvest / Beetroot and autumn berries ice cream. Porcini, hazelnut and chocolate crumble. Bell pepper and apple jelly
Wine: Recioto della Valpolicella 2019
Restaurant 55 team: Andrius Vasilenka, Karolis Sokas
Combination: Dark Chocolate & Cherries / Dark chocolate mousse, dark chocolate biscuit, dark chocolate brownie, cherry gel, cherry ice cream, cherry espuma
Wine: Miela winery dry cherry wine
Kauno kolegija team: Ignotas Urbonavičius, Kamilė Uzakova, Rūta Markevičiūtė, Naglis Matorka, Linas Meškauskas, Aušra Šimonelienė, Svajūnė Garmuvienė
Combination: Autumn Harvest / Black bread crumbs, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, nutmeg, smoked cream, sturgeon roe, cranberry sauce
Wine: Cider "Kraštai" Brut Nature, apple cider aged in oak
Aš toks, kaip ir tu team: Paulius Šveikauskas, Miglė Čepkauskaitė, Edita Kviedaraitienė, Aurelija Žukauskienė, Giedra Sadauskienė
Combination: The Harmony of our Ancestors’ Flavours / Pumpkin, carrots, raspberries, quinces, crab apples, pears, dried fruit, cucumber, spices, herbs, black bread
Wine: Non-alcoholic wine Vinada Charming Chardonnay
Jury 2026
Arūnas Starkus
One of the founding members of the Lithuanian Sommelier Association, co-founder of the Lithuanian Sommelier School, as well as co-owner of the fine wine retailer at "Vyno klubas". He is also the editor-in-chief of Lithuania’s only wine magazine, "Vyno žurnalas", and a juror in numerous wine and sommelier championships.
Rene Frank
The chef and founder of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant CODA in Berlin. Internationally recognized as World’s Best Pastry Chef, representing a contemporary and precise approach to modern dessert cuisine.
Lorraine Haist
German food journalist and culinary expert. She writes for leading publications such as "Salon", "SZ", "Effilee" and "Madame" and is traveling the world to cover top restaurants, chefs and culinary destinations.
Linas Vaitulevičius
Robotics professional, passionate foodie, and contributor to Lithuania’s only wine magazine, “Vyno žurnalas” magazine.
Ilkka Sirén
Award-winning wine writer, educator, and content creator. Named Finland’s Wine Influencer of the Year 2024, he contributes regularly to leading Finnish magazines such as "Viinilehti", "Maku" and "Glorian ruoka&viini".
Andreas Larsson
Named Best Sommelier of the World in 2007, Andreas has also claimed the titles of Best Sommelier of Sweden, the Nordics, and Europe.
Urtė Mikelevičiūtė
Also known as Urte Dervynas – is a well-known food and beverage expert in Lithuania. She is an independent wine expert, certified water sommelier and restaurant consultant with more than 15 years of experience in the wine and hospitality industry.
Beatričė Laurinavičienė
Editor of the "Leisure" section in the “Verslo žinios” newspaper.
Alija @alijospasaulis
Social media influencer – explores Lithuania’s dining scene - from new openings and hidden gems to fine dining - sharing honest reviews and recommendations with her community.
Karolis @karolis.earth
Social media influencer – his content now focuses on discovering new restaurants in Vilnius and across Lithuania.
2026 Sponsors of the championship:
Main sponsor:
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