For bread makers believing they are a crust above the rest, Britain’s Best Loaf provides them the platform to prove it.
The latest edition of the annual event – sponsored by ADM Milling, Bako Group, Brook Food & Bakery Equipment and Lesaffre UK & Ireland – is set to take place on Tuesday 30 April at the NEC Birmingham.
Loaves crafted by bakers across the country will be judged in eight different categories including White, Wholegrain, Plain Sourdough, Flavoured Sourdough, Innovation, International, Gluten Free, and newly introduced Seeded Sourdough.
Category winners will then go into a final round of judging to decide the overall champion, which will be crowned Britain’s Best Loaf 2024.
Entries are currently open up until the deadline of Monday 18 March – check the criteria for each category and submit your entries via the dedicated website here.
Making the call on which breads have brilliantly risen to this year’ challenge will be an esteemed panel of judges comprised of baking industry veterans and respected technical experts.
Here is an overview of the line-up for the 2024 competition:
Amy North, editor, British Baker
With more than a decade of experience as a journalist, including the past seven years at British Baker, Amy has a great appreciation of all bakery items – earning her the nickname the ‘Duchess of Doughnuts’.
Andrew Layte, technical sales manager, Lesaffre UK and Ireland
Andrew has specialised in baking for the past 23 years, creating a diverse range of products for major retailers and the foodservice sector including award-winning fresh and frozen bakery items.
Claire Powell, technical baker, Bako
Totalling more than 30 years’ experience in the baking industry, Claire is currently responsible for developing new and innovative products for the Bako Select range as well as product quality testing, team support and training.
Clare Barton, owner & head baker, Bakehouse 124
Clare has seen her Tonbridge bakery go from strength to strength since opening in 2015. She holds an advanced diploma in baking from the School of Artisan Food and is one of the Real Bread Campaign Ambassadors.
Dan Riley, deputy editor, British Baker
Dan brings more than 15 years of professional writing experience to the British Baker editorial team, and has also helped enhance the digital content with his graphic design and video editing skills.
Gareth Edwards, head of sales for craft and speciality, ADM
Gareth joined ADM following work with artisan bakeries and retailers across the UK. His various sales roles have lead him to his currently responsibility for the bakery division, where he helps develop and bring new ideas to market.
Lee Smith, owner, Poppyseed Bakery
Winner of Britain’s Best Loaf an unparalleled four times, former Dorchester Hotel head baker Lee has grown his own bakery business in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex to an estate of five shops plus a substantial wholesale operation.
Louise West, training advisor, NFDT
Master baker Louise has been in the industry for 37 years, including stints at Nottingham’s Maid Marion Bakery and running her own craft bakery business with her husband Trevor. She has been an advisor at the National Food & Drink Training since 2014.
Lucas Fussnegger, director, Fussnegger Ltd
Raised in his family’s bakery in Germany, Lucas moved to the UK in 2015, where he helped create the Collection Sourdough for M&S and launched his own bakery consulting business. He currently serves as president of the ABST.
Naomi Spaven, head baker, Wylde Bakery
Through her baking blog @littlewelshfoodie, Naomi has garnered opportunities to collaborate with the Welsh Government, make television appearances, and host radio segments. She was a Rising Star Award finalist at the 2023 Baking Industry Awards.
Neil Woods, bakery consultant
Amassing no less than 57 years within the baking industry, Neil has been a long-standing member of the BCA, the BSB, and the CBA, and was honoured in 2021 with the Outstanding Contribution to the Baking Industry Award.
Sara Autton, bakery consultant
Sara recently retired from Lesaffre UK & Ireland after 25 years as technical manager, and was awarded both an Honorary Doctorate from London Southbank University and the Outstanding Contribution to the Baking Industry Award in 2023.
Simon Lawton-Hayes, technical sales manager, Brook Food & Bakery Equipment
With almost 30 years’ experience within the baking industry, Simon’s key experience in the ingredients, product development, and in-store bakery sectors affords him a great understanding in end user production requirements at various scales.
William Leet, bakery development technician, David Wood Baking
The 2021 Rising Star Award winner has also lifted the ABST President’s Cup twice, been a guest lecturer at his alma mater UCB, worked for renowned Bakeriet i Lom in Norway, and now focusses on development of Italian breads and sourdoughs.
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