National Support Centre for Agriculture

The Grand Finale of the "Polska Smakuje" Competition

The Grand Finale of the "Polska Smakuje" Competition took center stage as a crown jewel of the 4th #KupujŚwiadomie Polish Food Festival. On Saturday, PGE Narodowy transformed into a vibrant celebration of local heritage, bringing together passionate food producers, agri-food leaders, members of Rural Housewives’ Associations (Koło Gospodyń Wiejskich – KGW), culinary masters, and thousands of enthusiastic visitors.

The festival kicked off with an official opening ceremony led by Jacek Czerniak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, alongside Tomasz Ciodyk and Piotr Kolada, Deputy Directors General of KOWR.

Stepping into the venue, visitors were greeted by a bustling producers’ zone featuring more than 130 exhibitors from every corner of Poland. Festivalgoers immersed themselves in an extraordinary sensory experience – tasting and buying authentic regional foods, discovering time-honoured production secrets, and connecting directly with the artisans behind the produce. The packed programme delivered live cooking demonstrations, hands-on craft workshops, insightful panel discussions, and a dedicated suite of family-friendly attractions.

A Finale Full of Regional Flavors

The "Polska Smakuje" competition shines a spotlight on the extraordinary depth of Polish cuisine, honouring KGWs and community organisations that keep regional culinary traditions alive. Competing teams crafted standout dishes using original recipes that seamlessly blended local ingredients with generations of culinary wisdom.

A distinguished panel of judges evaluated each entry on taste, aroma, texture, visual presentation, and authenticity to regional heritage. Every plate proved to be more than just exceptional food – it was a story of culture, history, and local pride.

I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the participants and thank them for their tremendous dedication. The dishes entered in the competition are the result of many weeks of preparation, intergenerational collaboration, and the effort put into each stage of the competition to create the very best dishes.

– said Stefan Krajewski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, during the grand finale.

You are raising the profile of high-quality Polish food – traditional and regional. And for that, I thank you. These dishes also show just how beautiful and diverse our homeland is.

– said the minister.

Throughout the event, speakers repeatedly highlighted the vital role played by KGWs and regional groups in preserving the countryside's rich food heritage and championing local agriculture.

I am delighted that, year by year, we have so many people keen to take part in this shared celebration – because the ‘Polska Smakuje’ competition is also a celebration; it’s an opportunity to get together and build relationships. I would like to thank you for your tremendous contribution to the revival of the Rural Housewives’ Associations and for your active involvement. It is precisely through the work of these associations that local traditions are kept alive, and local people have the opportunity to come together and rebuild social ties. I would like to thank you most sincerely for playing this extremely important role.

– emphasised Henryk Smolarz, Director General of KOWR.

Polish Culinary Tradition Deserves to Be Promoted

The #KupujŚwiadomie Polish Food Festival provides a powerful platform to champion high-quality Polish produce, empower consumers to make conscious local choices, combat food waste, and honour the hard work of Polish farmers and producers.

Let’s promote Polish food, seek out new markets abroad, and, here in Poland, encourage people to make informed choices in favour of local products. Reducing food waste is also a key part of these efforts. Far too much food is still being thrown away. That is why we are constantly calling for a change in these habits and for greater awareness of this issue.

– said Stefan Krajewski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Summarising this year's landmark edition, Henryk Smolarz underscored the vital impact of local sourcing and thanked participants for elevating the global reputation of Polish cuisine:

Thank you for promoting Polish food. Today’s competition is a wonderful opportunity to rediscover what is good, Polish and delicious. Thank you for choosing local and regional products, and for offering us here in Warsaw today the chance to embark on an extraordinary culinary journey across the whole of Poland – because Poland tastes best. Once again, thank you all, and I invite you to take part in next year’s edition.

Winners of the "Polska Smakuje" Competition 2026

With exceptional talent on display across every station, the competition was fiercely contested. Every team delivered meticulously crafted dishes, creating a rich tapestry of flavours that gave the jury a formidable challenge. Following rigorous tasting and deliberations, the 2026 champions were crowned:

• 1st place: Rusowo KGW (West Pomeranian Voivodeship)
• 2nd place: The Nadolice Małe KGW ‘Nadoliczanki’ (Lower Silesia Voivodeship)
• 3rd place: The ‘Tradycja i My’ KGW in Czerniewice (Łódź Voivodeship)

Honourable mentions:

• KGW Nowy Ciechocinek (Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship)
• KGW Nasale (Opole Voivodeship)
• The “Muszkowianki” KGW (Lubuskie Voivodeship)
• The KGW in Węglin (Lublin Voivodeship)
• KGW ‘Moja Wolica Ługowa’ (Podkarpackie Voivodeship)

16 Finalists from Across Poland

Representing the best of their regions, the 16 national finalists brought the heart of their local culinary heritage to Warsaw, pairing signature recipes with regional ingredients and deep-rooted storytelling. Here is the complete list of national finalists:

• Lower Silesian Voivodeship – Nadolice Małe KGW ‘Nadoliczanki’
• Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship – Nowy Ciechocinek KGW
• Lublin Voivodeship – KGW in Węglin
• Lubuskie Voivodeship – ‘Muszkowianki’ KGW
• Łódź Voivodeship – the ‘Tradycja i My’ KGW in Czerniewice
• Małopolska Voivodeship – KGW in Kąclowa
• Mazovia Voivodeship – the ‘Kwiaty Paproci’ KGiGW in Paprotnia
• Opole Voivodeship – Nasale KGW
• Podkarpackie Voivodeship – ‘Moja Wolica Ługowa’ KGW
• Podlaskie Voivodeship – the ‘Sami Swoi’ KGW from Filipów
• Pomeranian Voivodeship – the Lubieszewo KGW ‘Słoneczny Poranek’
• Silesian Voivodeship – the ‘Czerwona Jarzębina’ KGW in Kamesznica
• Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship – Ślęcin KGW
• Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship – ‘Merynos’ KGW in Olbrachtówek
• Wielkopolska Voivodeship – KGW in Niesłabin
• West Pomeranian Voivodeship – Rusowo KGW

Poland Has a Local Flavour

This year’s grand finale reaffirmed that "Polska Smakuje" is far more than a culinary contest—it is an inspiring showcase of countryside heritage and the tireless dedication of KGW associations. The finalists proved beyond doubt that authentic traditional recipes continue to captivate and inspire new generations.

Throughout the day, PGE Narodowy buzzed with mouth-watering aromas, lively exchanges with local artisans, and memorable encounters with the people keeping Polish culinary heritage alive. The event proved once again that the finest ambassador for Polish food is its incredible taste – and that conscious consumer choices start right at the table.

Join Us for Day Two

While the "Polska Smakuje" champions have been crowned, the #KupujŚwiadomie Polish Food Festival is still in full swing!

On Sunday, PGE Narodowy reopens its doors to welcome visitors back to the vibrant producers’ zone, packed with premium local products, artisan demonstrations, and activities for all ages.

Don't miss this opportunity to meet passion-driven producers from across Poland, discover unique regional specialties, and experience live craft demonstrations. Visitors can also explore dedicated information hubs focused on conscious, sustainable food shopping.

Visit us at PGE Narodowy between 10:00 and 17:00. Admission is free of charge.