The Baking Industry Awards 2024 took place on Thursday 24 October at the Royal Lancaster in London, with winners across 13 categories.
It was the biggest event since 2019, with 530 people gathered to celebrate the spectacular industry – and representation from the UK’s biggest retailers, major manufacturers, and suppliers as well as artisan bakeries and everyone in between.
The night got under way with a drinks reception, sponsored by FoodEx Manufacturing Solutions, as attendees gathered in excitement for the night ahead.
Progressing into the ballroom, guests were welcomed with an upbeat speech by British Baker editor Amy North who thanked the industry for their continued efforts in keeping the nation fed and happy, as well as sharing a few tales of her recent bakery adventures across the country.
Keeping the excitement building was Caterglobe, which sponsored the giveaway. One lucky person walked away with a spa stay for two after finding a star underneath their dinner plate.
To ensure bakery stays front and centre throughout the night, guests were treated to a lavish bakery-themed dinner. Kicking things off were a selection of delicious bread rolls from AIT Ingredients with some top-notch butter from Wyke Farms to slather on it. The butter was also found in the potato side-dish that accompanied a stunning steak & ale pie.
The excitement continued to build with an after-dinner cocktail in the form of espresso martinis, provided by Altitude Coffee London. Also new for 2024 was the addition of a dessert table that served up plenty of options for guests to feast upon, including miniature cheesecakes which have been lovingly provided by The Delicious Dessert Company.
Celebrity host Scott Mills was welcomed to the stage with thunderous applause as he, along with category sponsors, helped to reveal the winners across the 13 categories including Rising Star, Bakery Retailer of the Year, and Sustainability Initiative of the Year.
The Pettigrew Bakeries team – Jemma Medlicott, David Le Masurier and Lee Le Masurier – smile proudly after being presented the Craft Bakery Business of the Year award by Dawn Foods’ sales director Garry Russell and celebrity host Scott Mills
Celebrity host Scott Mills presents 2024 Rising Star Award winner Naomi Spaven with her trophy
Mike Moran, sales director of longstanding category sponsor Brook Food & Bakery Equipment, and Scott Mills presents Aidan Monks from Lovingly Artisan with his second Baker of the Year trophy
Thumbs up all round from the team behind Bakery Retailer of the Year 2024 M&S – Edward McAuley, Mhairi Forbes, Rebecca Rackley, and Rabah Kherroubi – as well as Laurent Venzi, commercial director North Europe of sponsor IFF, and celebrity host Scott Mills
Host Scott Mills and Graeme Williams, chief commercial officer UK for Baker and Baker, present Hajnalka Csordas and Marta Nagy from M’s Bakery with the New Bakery Product of the Year trophy for the second year in a row
Macphie sustainability director Ed Widdowson and Scott Mills present the Sustainability Initiative of the Year trophy to Roger Wright from Biffa, David Bradford from Greggs, and Richard Smith from Linwood Raker for their collaboration on recyclable baking paper
Scott Mills talks to Andy Oliver, free-from innovation technical manager at Warburtons, about what it means for the bakery giant to take home Free-from Bakery Product of the Year 2024 for its Gluten Free Soft White Pittas
The Montana Bakery team celebrate their win with Joris Mulders, sales director of category sponsor Rademaker and Scott Mills, after being named Bakery Manufacturer of the Year 2024
Sandor Bagameri of Stir Bakery was so excited to win Speciality Bread Product of the Year 2024 for his Sprouted Ancient Grain Sourdough it was hard to get him to stand still for a photo with Mike Tully, CEO of category sponsor Bako
Barry Dawber, sales and marketing director for Jason’s Sourdough collects the first-ever Bakery Brand of the Year award from Thierry Jahant, managing director of category sponsor Zeppelin
Elaine Hamey beams with pride after being named Celebration Cake Maker of the Year 2024. She was presented her trophy by Finsbury Food Group’s business development director Simon Staddon and host Scott Mills
A shocked but happy George Stevenson receives the Outstanding Contribution to the Baking Industry award from Richard Freeman, UK & Ireland commercial director at Délifrance, and celebrity host Scott Mills
Sisters Emily and Annabel Lui smile in shock after their bakery Cutter and Squidge was Online Bakery Business of the Year 2024
With the winners proudly clutching their trophies, dining tables were cleared away to make way for the dancefloor so the celebrations could continue. As well as throwing shapes, there was plenty to keep guests entertained including a casino sponsored by Kluman & Balter and a selection of games supported by the UK Food & Drink Shows. Lesaffre sponsored the 360-degree photobooth which saw guests don silly hats and accessories in social media-worthy clips. All that excitement likely worked up an appetite but thankfully Jason’s Sourdough was on hand with late night toasties to keep the revellers powered up.
Planning is already under way for the 2025 Baking Industry Awards, so be sure to put Thursday 23 October 2025 in your diaries for another spectacular night of entertainment and celebration.
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