To make the traditional Sant Jordi bread it is essential to have a good sobrassada, quality cheese and use fresh nuts. But what really guarantees an extraordinary result, "is the love and passion for the craft," Mónica Gregori, fifth generation at the helm of L'Obrador dels 15, tells La Vanguardia. This bakery, located in the Horta Guinardó neighborhood, has won the award for the best bread of Sant Jordi 2024. “It was a great surprise because in Catalonia they are making excellent bread,” says the baker. “Handmade products are increasingly appreciated and these contests help give them the recognition they deserve.”
The second prize in the contest organized by Panatics went to Juli Àlvarez from Forn La Llibreria in Barcelona. The third, for Pau Carranza from Pastisseria Larrosa located in Flix, Tarragona. As a novelty, in its seventh edition the contest also admitted the participation of students from professional baking, pastry and gastronomy schools in Catalonia. The winner was the student Carol Cruz, from the Higher School of Hospitality of Barcelona (ESHOB).
All the ingredients that L'Obrador dels 15 uses to make its Sant Jordi bread come from Catalonia. “We always bet on local products, our farmers and ranchers make excellent cheeses and sausages.” They follow the original recipe created by Eduard Crespo in 1988 and it was the same baker who advised them years ago.
In addition to offering it in its traditional presentation, Mónica Gregori's bakery also produces a vegan version of Sant Jordi bread. “We made two doughs, one red using beets and another yellow based on corn, turmeric and sunflower seeds.” For the establishment, it is important to create recipes that adapt to the new needs of its consumers and at the same time "continue to maintain traditions."
After a life dedicated to artisanal baking and twelve years at the head of the family business, Mónica Gregori assures that recently the interest of customers in the quality of the products they consume is increasing. “They have realized that we are what we eat.” That's why her shop offers different varieties of bread made with beets, nuts and seeds. “I think that the era of so many industrial pastries and so much processed food is in decline.”
The jury of the seventh edition of the contest El mejor pan de Sant Jordi has been made up of the bakers and pastry chefs Arturo Blanco, Toni Vera from the Canal pastelería, Josep Maria Rodríguez from La Pastisseria, Emili Feliu from Forn Sant Josep and the winner of the contest in 2023, Mercè Sampietro de Galette
