A Chicago-based bakery passed an independent expert evaluation and joined fewer than 5% of companies to receive the program’s highest recognition
Following the 2025 award cycle, the Independent Expert Evaluation Commission of the Quality Mark Business Excellence Award selected OK Bakery LLC as the Winner in the category of Excellence in Premium Original Artisan Baking. The decision was based on a multi-factor evaluation of documented achievements by the company’s founder, Oksana Kliuiko.
Fewer than five percent of candidates who completed the preliminary review received Winner designation.
The Expert Commission evaluated the candidate’s professional record across six areas: professional mastery, innovation, consistency of results, international recognition, scientific and educational contributions, and measurable impact on the advancement of the field.
The Commission noted that the activities of OK Bakery and its founder extend well beyond those of a standard commercial bakery. Oksana Kliuiko combines premium product creation with educational programs, scientific research, cultural initiatives, and international promotion of Ukrainian baking traditions. It was this breadth of professional activity that distinguished her company from businesses operating solely within the commercial segment.
Oksana Kliuiko is the recipient of nine gold medals and one silver medal at international culinary competitions, the creator of a patented ceremonial bread technology known as Korovai “Poliskyi” (Patent No. 44758, Ukraine, 2022), an expert judge at international culinary competitions, the author of scholarly publications in peer-reviewed journals, a media expert featured on radio and television, a speaker at international conferences, and the founder of an original school of decorative Korovai craftsmanship that has trained thousands of students worldwide.
For several years, OK Bakery has operated not only as a production facility but also as an educational platform. Over one hundred original master classes have been conducted in major cities across Ukraine and the United States. Thousands of students have completed training in Oksana Kliuiko’s proprietary methods, mastering the complex craft of creating this exclusive style of ceremonial baking.
During the evaluation process, the Commission noted that the success of OK Bakery in the American market confirms that professional excellence transcends geography and resonates with audiences who may have no prior familiarity with Ukrainian cultural traditions.
Based on the totality of evidence presented, the Commission determined that OK Bakery LLC fully meets and exceeds the institutional standards of the program. Winner status was awarded in the category of Excellence in Premium Original Artisan Baking, Ceremonial Bread Art, and Cultural Gastronomy.
