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51 bakeries, 20 butcher shops, eight confectioneries and seven breweries from North Rhine-Westphalia were awarded the honorary prize "Meister.Werk.NRW". (Photo: © MLVNRW/Yavuz Arslan)

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86 food businesses honored

Craft policy

April 2026

The North Rhine-Westphalia state government has honored businesses from the butcher, confectioner, brewer and baker trades with the "Meister.Werk.NRW" award.

The North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of Agriculture, Silke Gorißen (CDU), awarded the honorary prize "Meister.Werk.NRW" to 51 bakeries, 20 butcher shops, eight confectioneries and seven breweries from NRW in Düsseldorf.

"We are proud of our craft businesses in North Rhine-Westphalia. They ensure local food supplies with their regional products, made with great care and dedication to the highest standard. These businesses also create jobs and apprenticeships in our regions and impart valuable craftsmanship," the minister explained.

The evaluation criteria were established jointly with the North Rhine-Westphalian industry associations. The aim is to give special recognition to artisanal production and the values of a craft business. Furthermore, the award is intended to draw attention to the importance of the food craft sector.

To determine the criteria:

Proximity – in terms of the use of regional raw materials and local social engagement,
Responsibility – in relation to employment, training and sustainability,
Quality – in terms of the ingredients, the artisanal production and the products of the self-manufactured range.

"Above-average innovative strength, coupled with extremely high regional quality standards for the entire product, is the key to the success of the food artisan businesses honored today. It's wonderful that these businesses are receiving such high recognition with the Meister.Werk.NRW award," says Adalbert Wolf, State Guild Master of the Butchers' Association of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Jörg von Polheim, State Guild Master of Bakers' Guild Association West He added: "The award-winning businesses exemplify the quality, the close connection to the people, and the responsibility that characterize the baking trade in North Rhine-Westphalia. Day after day, they make an important contribution to local supply, the training of young people, and the economic strength of their regions."