There was enthusiasm, talent, and community spirit in abundance at the third annual meeting of The Artisan Collective, which took place in Birmingham on 28 January.
The event, sponsored by Craggs & Co, was attended by dozens of artisan bakers who came together to network, share ideas, sample delicious baked goods, and celebrate the community.
It was rounded off by British Baker editor Amy North, who took to the stage to reveal the Bakers’ Dozen 2025 – the top 13 artisan bakeries in Britain as voted for by industry experts.
Passionate people and problem solving
Stepping away from the bakery to a dedicated space brimming with passionate people eager to share ideas and learn from each other is a core part of The Artisan Collective experience. It offers a space where bakers can discover that they are facing the same challenges as others, allowing for some reassurance and solutions to be found.
Flavour bombs
Top notch baked goods were guaranteed with sweet and savoury buns and pastries supplied by Birmingham bakery Baked In Brick. Members of the community were also encouraged to bring their own creations to share, taking to the stage to discuss their wonderful creations before everyone got stuck in. There was sensational sourdough, epic cinnamon buns, delightful cake slices, and more.
Patisserie masterclass with Graham Hornigold
Longboys co-founder and director Graham Hornigold treated guests to a patisserie masterclass where he discussed the importance of quality ingredients, balance, and texture when creating delectable sweet treats. Using the iconic Triple Chocolate Brownie Longboy as a base, he whipped up a chocolate crémeux and a chocolate biscuit crumb as he explained how to create a balanced product which delivers on looks and taste.
Community learning
At the heart of The Artisan Collective is community learning. To facilitate this, British Baker asked four bakeries to lead sessions on topics that they have expertise and experience in, ranging from social media to grains, NPD, and making the most of online retail. Sessions ran twice during the hour to maximise learning opportunities, with plenty of questions asked throughout.
British Baker will be publishing more from the individual sessions in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.
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