Charming South London Bakery Specialising in One Delight Wins Prestigious Award

A Basque bakery situated in South London, renowned for its delectable cheesecakes, is celebrating a significant achievement after receiving the highest honour in the culinary world at the Great Taste 2026 awards. The prestigious Great Taste, recognised as the largest food and drink accreditation scheme globally, has awarded La Maritxu bakery an exceptional three-star rating for its classic Basque cheesecake, marking the pinnacle of recognition in the industry.

In addition to this remarkable accolade, three other cheesecakes from the bakery have also garnered attention at the Great Taste awards. The manchego and tiramisu cheesecakes were awarded two-star distinctions, labelled as “outstanding,” while the pistachio cheesecake received a one-star rating, recognised as “delicious.” Lucía Larragoiti, the founder of La Maritxu, expressed her joy at the honour, stating, “Winning a Great Taste Award feels like an incredible milestone for us. We started La Maritxu out of a pure love for Basque baking, and the support from our London community has been overwhelming. This award is a testament to all the early mornings, hard work, and passion that go into every single cheesecake we bake.”

Recognition from the Community

La Maritxu has received high praise from local food enthusiasts, with MyLondon commending the bakery in an October 2024 review, noting that “the hype was very much deserved.” Another reviewer declared the cheesecakes to be “the best I ever tasted.” Lucía, who previously worked as an architect, took a bold step to become an entrepreneur, bringing the beloved Basque cheesecakes of her childhood to the heart of London, collaborating closely with her sisters, Maria and Almudena.

Since its establishment in 2021, La Maritxu has blossomed, with Lucía balancing her architectural career by day and her passion for baking by night for five years before finally dedicating herself entirely to the bakery. She reflects on their journey, saying, “For many years, my sisters and I dreamed of bringing a piece of Basque culture to our new homes abroad. We soon realised that one of the best things about Basque culture is its gastronomy.”

The Essence of La Maritxu

The name ‘La Maritxu’ is derived from her sister Maria’s name, combined with the affectionate Basque suffix -txu. In the Basque Country, adding -txu to someone’s name conveys warmth and familiarity. Lucía highlights that the recipe for their Basque burnt cheesecake, often referred to as San Sebastian cheesecake, has been cherished in their family for generations, crafted with a unique ingredient—love.

This year, a record 15,000 products were submitted for evaluation by Great Taste from around the globe. Out of these, less than a third, specifically 4,286 (28.50%), earned a one-star award, indicating they were ‘simply delicious’. Additionally, 1,596 products (10.61%) received a two-star award, representing those deemed ‘outstanding’. Remarkably, only 306 products (2.03%) achieved the highly sought-after three-star award, marking them as ‘exquisite and extraordinary’.

A Bright Future Ahead

La Maritxu has expanded its presence with four locations across Kingly Court, Connaught Village, Greenwich, and Coal Drops Yard. As they continue to gain recognition, the bakery remains committed to delighting customers with their authentic Basque creations. Those interested in staying informed about the vibrant happenings in London, including new restaurant openings and exclusive offers, can subscribe to the Going Out Out newsletter.