Latvian innovations
Discover food innovations was the section where Latvian companies, startups, research institutes, students and tech developers demonstrated their latest food production, digital transformation, automation and product development solutions to visitors and attendees. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) Student Business Incubator displayed innovations, prototypes and business ideas developed by students, revealing how ideas generated during university studies are converted into actual products and business opportunities. Visitors could try various innovations, such as crab ice-cream, and also become start-up founders during a mock activity. This section is coordinated by the LBTU.

New dairy products and dairy competition winners
Latvian Dairy Committee, after some absence, gad a stand at the Riga Food to give visitors an opportunity to appreciate latest products of Latvian dairy producers as well as taste the winning products of the New Dairy Product Competition.
Riga Food 2026 Main Stage became the venue for the award ceremony celebrating winner of the New Dairy Product Competition which particularly focused on innovations diversity of products made by Latvian dairy companies. Fermented milk/butter category was won by “Tukuma piens” grainy cottage cheese with sour cream Protein Fit. “Rīgas piena kombināts” and lactose-free yogurt drink “Kārums” with strawberries and banana became the runner-up, wheres third place went to “Lazdonas piensaimnieks” and its “Ghee”. Cheese/processed cheese category was won by “Cesvaines piens” and cheese with truffles. “Rīgas piena kombināts” and its processed soft cheese with fried onions and chanterelles “Dzintars” came second, and “Jaunpils pienotava” smoked processed cheese sausage with ham ended up third. The first place in the desert category went to “Smiltenes piens” and its cheesecake with rhubarb and jam, “Tukuma piens” and “Baltais” sweet cottage cheese “Dubai Chocolate Style” came second and “Tērvete Food” pistachio ice-cream womn bronze. New Dairy Product Competition was organised by Latvian Dairy Committee, BT1 International Expo Company and Ministry of Agriculture.

Diverse programme of events
Riga Food 2026 offered an unprecedent number of events for both industry professionals and foodies over the course of three days. More than 100 exciting and insightful events took place at 7 locations: Riga Food Main Stage, GEMOSS Stage, Riga Food VIP Lounge, cooking and tea competition areas in the Latvian Hall, Riga Food Guest Room, outdoor exhibition space by the entrance and stands of individual exhibitors. Everyone was invited to witness thrilling shows and competitions – Ķīpsala had attracted the best of the best chefs, apprentice chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, servers, tea and BBQ masters.

Cooking and pastry competitions
Most talented and confident chefs from all over Latvia traditionally gathered at Riga Food for a cooking showdown. This year Dinārs Zvidriņš from restaurant Entresol was crowned the 2026 Best Latvian Chef and won the Reaton’s travelling Golden Ladle. Dinārs, by the way, has become the best chef in Latvia for the fourth time. The title for the 2026 Best Apprentice Chef went to Rihards Elliņš from Entresol, followed by Pēteris Silarājs, teacher from the Ventspils Technical School, who came second, and Raivis Smirnovs from Cafe Mimosa ended third. 2026 Latvian Restaurant Pastry Chef competition and Lavazza Golden Cup was won by Kristīne Strode from restaurant Entresol. The 2026 Young Pastry Chef crown went to Loretta Trone, student of the College Hotel School. Runner-up in this competition was Elīza Gladiševa from bakery Mulberry, followed by Velga Kopce, founder of bakery and confectionary Ugly Cake, in third.

Bartenders and hospitality stars
Gemoss Stage was the main battlefield of young mixologists who tried to impress judges with their modern twist on classic cocktail recipes, while their more seasoned colleagues exhibited their hospitality talent over a number of competitive disciplines, offering judges top-tier service. MONIN Cup Latvia 2026 was won by Alīna Leitāne from Digital Art House who prepared Grandpa’s Night Remedy. After the victory, Alīna will now represent Latvia at the MONIN Cup European semi-finals in London, competing for the spot in the international finals later on in Paris. Roberts Celmiņš from restaurant Mēle became the runner-up with his Still Blooming, and third place went to Emīls Lemkens from OlyBet Sports Bar and his cocktail Echo of 1862. Title of the Latvian Hospitality Star 2026, the professional competition for waiters, was won by Ainārs Reinšmits from restaurant SMØR Modern Bistro. The second place was snatched by Lāsma Romane from “Pavāru māja Līgatnē/Chefs’ House Līgatne” and Kirils Čupits from SMØR Modern Bistro got third.

Best tea masters
Riga Food 2026 also hosted Baltic Tea Cup 2026 tea brewing competition that attracted renowned tea experts, enthusiasts and master brewers from the whole Baltics. This year, Tea Brewing Mastery focused on two vital tea brewing elements: storytelling and preparation of tea. After very close rivalry throughout the day, judges decided to crown Anna Grabovska as the winner, awarding second place to Dāvids Gaigals and putting Jeļizaveta Podusova in third. Riga Tea Days drew in large crowds of visitors who were keen to experience the numerous tea masterclasses, presentations, meetings with professional tea experts. Tea competition area events were organised by Latvian Tea Association.

Cake masters
Riga Food had visitors-favourite Latvian Cake Parade with 20 cake masters from different corners of Latvia competing in this year’s showdown and producing the most delicious, beautiful and unusual cakes one could imagine. Traditional flavours and popular stories were crossed with modern interpretation, diverse techniques and bold decisions from the competitors. Victory and the main prize, the whisker, found its way to Inese Krūmiņa who made Black Currant in Chocolate cake. For the second year running, the second place was won by Ieva Fišere who made the cake titled Diplomat John this year. Meanwhile, third place went to MMM made by Lauma Posipaiko. Visitors of Riga Food 2026 voted for the Blossom like a flower cake made by Lalita Podkaļuka as the winner of the People’s Choice award.
TV3 and Rimi also had the finals of the Cake for my city flavour competition during the Riga Food 2026. Finals saw three competitors who ranked the highest during general competition stage take to the ultimate battle.

Sustainable packaging
During this year’s Riga Food sustainable packaging competition four companies were rewarded for their outstanding contribution to development of sustainable packaging. ŠERNO PĖDA (Lithuania) were recognised for authentic wood packaging of their cured venison ham, Kazanova (Latvia) for Old Town balsam bottle made of ceramics and fitted with wooden cork. Lat Eko Food (Latvia) go the award for packaging of “Rūdolfs” puree where Pauch was made of MonoPP mono-material that is easier to recycle. Pro Natural were the company that received the honourable mention of the Latvian Packaging Association in 2025 for its Femme.eco organic herbal tea packaging. Company continued to develop its vision of sustainable packaging this year, as well.

Interesting discussions and masterclasses
Main Stage of Riga Food 2026 offered discussions about current food industry trends on all three days of the fair, enabling participants to learn more about current food industry developments and future innovations. Experts talked about organic food, products with higher protein content, fermentation, circular economy, food innovations and sustainable packaging, highlighting factors that could potentially determine the future trajectory of food industry and daily eating habits of consumers.
Healthy nutrition awareness-raising among kids was one of key highlights, as well. There were two practical masterclasses that taught children how to eat healthy. During these two sessions, nutritionist Viāna Kuļša showed little gourmands how to assemble daily lunchbox while chef and culinary expert Ina Poliščenko revealed the secrets to healthy snacks. Children selected ingredients, cooked and tasted meals themselves as part of fun and exciting way to learn the fundamentals of healthy eating.

Charity BBQ brunch
For the first time ever, Riga Food trade fair also had a BBQ charity brunch. Anyone who wanted could come to Ķīpsala, meet contestants of 2026 BBQ face-offs and celebrities, enjoy special food and also donate for a noble cause. People who came to brunch enjoyed barbecued goodies, engaged in charity lottery and competitions, as well as enjoying music and time together. Charity brunch clearly demonstrated that charity can be not only powerful but also fun and bring people together around food and common efforts to do something for a real cause. Brunch raised 7005 euro in donations – money which will be transferred to POGA Rehabilitation Centre and its little patients.

Next year Riga Food will turn 33!
The next three-day international food, beverage, technology, packaging, innovation and catering, hospitality, retail equipment and services expo Riga Food 2027 will take place on 9-11 September 2027 at the Ķīpsala International Expo Centre in Riga. 

Riga Food is a trade fair organised by BT1 International Expo Company.

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