From Seoul and Singapore to London and Paris, La Liste has unveiled its annual Pastry Special Awards, recognising the pastry chefs, bakeries and dessert destinations shaping the future of global pastry. Plus, a crowning of the World’s Best Afternoon Tea right here in London.

Overview of the awards

The 2026 awards, announced in Paris this week, celebrate 36 winners across 12 categories, highlighting the industry’s most creative talents, breakthrough openings and must-visit pastry shops. This year’s selection spans 18 countries, reflecting the increasingly global nature of contemporary pastry culture.

As pastry becomes increasingly global, this year’s awards suggest that the industry’s most exciting ideas are no longer confined to Paris.

From Lucie (NYC): Pastry Discovery Gem Award

Standouts

Eunyoung Yun’s pastries
Eunyoung Yun: World’s Most Creative Pastry Chef

Leading this year’s winners is Seoul-based pastry chef Eunyoung Yun of Garuharu, who was named World’s Most Creative Pastry Chef. Yun becomes the first Korean recipient of the award, signalling the growing influence of Asia on the international pastry scene.

Meanwhile, Maison Pierre Hermé Paris was awarded World’s Best Pastry Shop, while Bali-based chef Will Goldfarb received the Game Changer Award for his impact on contemporary dessert culture.

The UK

Jacqueline at The Chancery Rosewood: World’s best afternoon tea
Le Café by Nicolas Rouzaud: Pastry & Bakery Opening Of The Year

The UK also featured prominently. Marius Dufay’s afternoon tea programme at Jacqueline at The Chancery Rosewood was recognised among the world’s best afternoon tea experiences, while Le Café by Nicolas Rouzaud was named one of the year’s most exciting new openings.

Perhaps the most notable trend this year is the continued rise of artisan bread. From British chef Richard Hart of Claridge’s Bakery — often dubbed the “sourdough whisperer” — to Paris bakery Mamiche and Shanghai’s O’Mills Bakery, bread and bakery culture featured heavily throughout the awards, reflecting a wider global appetite for naturally fermented baking and craft-led production.

The big winners

World’s Most Creative Pastry Chef

  • Eunyoung Yun, Garuharu (Seoul)

World’s Best Pastry Shop

  • Maison Pierre Hermé Paris (Singapore)

Pastry Game Changer Award

  • Will Goldfarb, Room4Dessert (Bali)

World’s Best Afternoon Tea

  • Jacqueline at The Chancery Rosewood (London)
  • Four Seasons Hotel George V (Paris)

Bakery Innovation Award

  • Richard Hart
  • Thomas Teffri-Chambelland

Pastry & Bakery Opening of the Year

  • Le Café by Nicolas Rouzaud (London)
  • Maison Devoille (Dubai)
  • Blue Box Café (Tokyo)

As pastry becomes increasingly global, this year’s awards suggest that the industry’s most exciting ideas are no longer confined to Paris. From Korean pastry innovation to London’s growing bakery scene and Bali’s dessert revolution, the future of pastry has never looked more international.


Want to receive more great articles like this every day? Join our daily email now