n Full-time student bakers are being encouraged to enter a new competition that showcases their bread-making and confectionery talents using California raisins.

Organised by the California Raisin Administration Committee, first prize in the competition will see the winning team taken on a trip with the famous Richemont School. Second prize is kitchen equipment for the student’s college and third prize is a California Raisins product.

The competition will be held at Thomas Danby College, Leeds, on 23-24 March 2007. For more information contact Dee Cassey on 020 8741 8513 or e-mail dc@ukraisins.com

n A colleague of the Fine Lady Bakeries worker stabbed to death outside the bakery in Banbury has been charged with his murder. Shahid Rehman worked with the victim Imran Shah. Shah suffered multiple stab wounds at about 2.30am on 27 November in the bakery’s car park and was pronounced dead soon after.

n Foodservice supplier Brake Brothers is being prepared for a stock market listing in the first half of next year and could be valued at up to £500m, according to newspaper reports.

n A survey of more than 1,400 people undertaken on behalf of the Home-Grown Cereals Authority has revealed an "alarming lack of knowledge" surrounding wholegrains. Over 30% of people failed to recognise a granary loaf as a wholegrain product, although 59% did know that wholegrains can help reduce the risk of heart disease.