Northwest Success At Baking Industry Awards  

Three of the region’s bakery companies were celebrating after winning at the Baking Industry Awards on the 8th September.

Guests at the event, held at the Park Lane Hilton, were treated to a circus-themed night, hosted by Esther Rantzen.

The awards recognise achievement and professionalism across the baking industry, rewarding those companies and individuals who drive the industry forward. All winners are members of an exclusive group of the best of the best in the sector. The Baking Industry Awards were launched in 1987 and, over the past 23 years, have grown to be the most prestigious event in the baking industry calendar.

More? The Artisan Bakery , in Cumbria took home the accolade for Speciality Bread Product of the Year, sponsored by Bakels, for its Lakeland Treacle Bread with Walnuts and Raisins. MD Patrick Moore said: “It’s a testament to the team at More? for developing something that has a real point of difference.”

The firm’s Lakeland Treacle Bread uses local mill Carr’s Millrace flour and a relatively small amount of yeast to give a warm, loose dough, which is formed in tins. The loaf also contains treacle, for added moistness and improved shelf-life, walnuts for texture and semi-fermented raisins. “Some people say it is ‘posh malt loaf’,” says Moore, “but it’s a bit more than that. You can toast it for breakfast, slice it thinly and slow-bake it for crispbreads, or enjoy it with cheese. There’s nothing else like it on the market.” The judges agreed that the loaf had a lovely texture and delivered superb flavour. They also commended the innovative thinking that led to its development.

Among the other winners were Park Cakes , which took home the Bakery Food Manufacturer of the Year award, sponsored by ADM Milling. MD Anne Allen said she was “utterly shocked and amazed” to have won. “We’ve never entered anything like this before, but we did it for our people.”

Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery in Bolton took The Craft Business Award, sponsored by Rank Hovis. Retail sales manager Sandra Ogden said it highlighted the passion of Greenhalgh’s. “The whole company will be over the moon.”

The awards are organised by British Baker. Published every fortnight and supported by its daily news site www.bakeryinfo.co.uk, British Baker features market analysis and business insight and is the most trusted and authoritative bakery publication in the UK.

BIA 2010 winners and finalists:

Baker of the Year
Sponsored by: Vandemoortele
WINNER - Robin Jones, The Village Bakery (Coedpoeth)
Finalist - André Sarafilovic, Wm Stephen (Bakers)
Finalist - Paul Gray, Betty’s Bakery

Confectioner of the Year
Sponsored by: Rich’s
WINNER - Mark Legg, Dunn’s (Crouch End)
Finalist - Chris Bachmann, Bachmanns
Finalist - David Lee, DA & W Lee Family Baker

The Craft Business Award
Sponsored by: Rank Hovis
WINNER - Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery
Finalist - M Ray
Finalist - Cinnamon Square

The In-Store Bakery Award
Sponsored by: Dawn Foods
WINNER - Sainsbury’s, Fosse Park, Leicester
Finalist - Tesco, Huish, Yeovil
Finalist - Morrisons, Riversway, Preston
Finalist - Asda, Hunts Cross, Liverpool

The Customer Focus Award
Sponsored by: CSM (UK)
WINNER - Halls Food Group
Finalist - Kensey Foods
Finalist - Pieminister

Bakery Supplier of the Year
Sponsored by: Sainsbury’s
WINNER - Mono Equipment
Finalist - Nicholas & Harris
Finalist - Warburtons Bakeries

Speciality Bread Product of the Year
Sponsored by: Bakels
WINNER - More? The Artisan Bakery – Lakeland Treacle Bread with Walnuts & Raisins
Finalist - Janes Pantry – Pumpkin & Raisin Seeded Bread
Finalist - Bachmanns – Olive Bread with Thyme

Celebration Cake Maker of the Year
Sponsored by: Renshaw
WINNER - Amelia Nutting, Shuga Budz
Finalist - Rachel Hill, Planet Cake
Finalist - Caroline Occlestone, The Cake Shop Liverpool

Bakery Food Manufacturer of the Year
Sponsored by: ADM Milling
WINNER - Park Cakes
Finalist - Honeytop Speciality Foods
Finalist - Greggs

The Innovation Award
Sponsored by: Asda
WINNER - Swissôtel The Howard – TLSee Afternoon Tea
Finalist - Hobbs House Bakery – The Online Store
Finalist - Puratos UK – Cryst-o-fil

Trainee Baker of the Year
Sponsored by: Improve and The National Skills Academy
WINNER - Kyle Hendry, Macphie of Glenbervie
Finalist - Pamela Ellis, Blackpool and the Fylde College
Finalist - Daniel Smith, J & I Smith