Free-from chocolate shortbread, spicy pork pie, and fruity cheesecake were among the bakery items grabbing golds at the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards 2025.
Taking home a haul of three golds for the second straight year was sweet bakery supplier Cakehead. Just like in 2024, its slump cake secured top honours, this time in a Chocolate Hazelnut flavour. The Oakham-based business also had its Vegan & Gluten Free Chocolate & Hazelnut Shortie and Raspberry & Almond Bakewell win golds.
There was also a golden hattrick scored by North Yorkshire pastry specialist The Original Baker this year, which received the ultimate accolades for its Chicken, Bacon & Mushroom Pie, Hog Roast Sausage Roll, and Chilli Jam Topped Pork Pie. Meanwhile, plant-based food brand Cock and Bull had two of its empanada flavours – Spicy Chorizo and Chicken & Mushroom – claim golds.
The fourth successive edition of the annual competition, which showcases the best products from independent brands across the specialist food & drink sector, was organised by British Baker parent company William Reed, in partnership with sister publication The Grocer.
Judging sessions were held in mid-February across four locations: Booths store in Poulton-le-Fylde near Blackpool, William Reed HQ in Crawley, Cannon Hall Farm near Barnsley, and Fortnum & Mason in London. Panels comprised of industry experts not only scrutinised the appearance and taste of each product but also the overall business model including value chain, branding, and how well set they were for success in the independent sector.
“The Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards provides a platform that offers manufacturers the opportunity to gain valuable feedback from retailers and wholesalers across the farm shop & deli market,” commented Giorgio Rigali, head of communications, exhibitions at William Reed. “The volume of awards given out by our judges this year highlights the volume of new products looking to grow within the sector, but also the high quality – many of which will be on display at the Farm Shop & Deli Show this April in Birmingham.”
The Farm Shop & Deli Show 2025 will run from 7 to 9 April at the NEC Birmingham, as part of this year’s UK Food & Drink Shows. As well as showcasing products, selected gold winners will be invited to join a live session to discuss their products.
Live judging will, however, be happening at the NEC Birmingham for the Britain’s Best Cake and Britain’s Best Loaf competitions. The entry deadline for both just been extended for another week until Monday 17 March, so make sure to submit your most mouthwatering sweet treats and breads before it’s too late.
The following bakery items accounted for 13 of the 71 food and drink products receiving Gold Awards this year:
- Vegan & Gluten Free Chocolate & Hazelnut Shortie – Cakehead
- Chocolate Hazelnut Slump Cake – Cakehead
- Raspberry & Almond Bakewell – Cakehead
- Spicy Chorizo Empanada – Cock and Bull
- Chicken and Mushroom Empanada – Cock and Bull
- Apple Strudel – Fieldfare
- Blueberry Crumble Cheesecake – Just Desserts Yorkshire
- Yorkshire Parkin – Lottie Shaw’s
- Peanut Butter Oat Bake – Oatopia
- Sussex Fruit Cake – Rubys Bakery Ltd
- Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom Pie – The Original Baker
- Hog Roast Sausage Roll – The Original Baker
- Chilli Jam Topped Pork Pie – The Original Baker
The full list of winners from the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards 2025, including for Silver and Bronze Awards, can be found here.
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