Krakow is lucky to host every year the most delicious festival in Poland- Krakow Pierogi Festival. It is a must-to-attend event for every foodie. It is organized every year in the middle of August at Mały Rynek (Small Market Square), in 2018 it will be the 16th edition. This year the festival will take a place between 15th August-19th August.
The event is a perfect opportunity to try the most famous polish delicacy in different versions. This annual festival promotes the tradition of polish cuisine and folk culture as well. Delicious food is accompanied by the folk music and folk-art festival. For few days you will have a chance to enjoy the pierogi in numerous variations. Exhibitors are outdoing each other to find the unique and tastiest version of that well-known specialty. And it is worth it- the festival's visitors vote for the best pierogi and the winner receive the statue of St. Jack- the patron of pierogi.
Few things about Pierogi
Pierogi is the most famous polish dish. If you ask a random Pole ‘’What is the most popular dish in Poland? They will answer you ‘’pierogi’’. Every Pole grew up with the pierogi- the dumplings stuffed with various filling. Pierogi are very filling- it used to be the dish that helped to feed the poorest part of the society. Make sure you don’t eat anything before if you plan to attend the festival yet, Fortunately, the festival last for few days, so you can spread over your degustation several days.
What's worth to try?
It's all up to you- if you want to stick to traditional types, try the Pierogi Ruskie filled with cottage cheese and potatoes, or Christmas version of the dumplings- stuffed with sauerkraut and mushrooms. August is just a middle of summer, the season full of fresh fruits, so don't forget to try some of the fruity filled pierogi- blueberry, strawberry etc. The festival gives a chance to taste also more modern and creative types of the dumplings- all depends on your preferences.
Do not miss trying what the winners from the previous edition prepared for this year- restaurant „Sekret Smaku” (in 2017 their pierogi filled with duck and apricot won the competition) and restaurant „Polskie Smaki” (pierogi with smoked meat and herbs received the Audience Award).
However, it is hard to judge the taste of the pierogi, if you haven't made them by yourself! Delicious Poland organizes the Krakow Pierogi Cooking Class. It is lead by Pani Jasia- our Pierogi- specialist. Pierogi-making is a family tradition and that's the skill learned from our grandmothers. Pani Jasia is a grandmother itself and has 50 years experience in pierogi making.
Meet our pierogi instructor Mrs. Jasia