British Baker can today reveal the finalists for its 25th Baking Industry Awards.

The glitzy awards ceremony, to be held on Wednesday 12 September at the Park Lane Hilton, will be hosted by 1980s pop legend Jason Donovan, with live music and other entertainment throughout the night.

Pauline Ferrol, national sales controller of British Bakels sponsor of the Speciality Bread Product of the Year award and a judge on the panel said this year the category had received its highest-ever number of entries. "The sheer diversity of entries and the high quality clearly proves bakers are seeing the profit potential offered by speciality breads," she said.

Jean Grieves, of The Bakery School, and judge in the Baker of the Year and Rising Star Award categories, said: "This year our finalists for Baker of the Year cover the whole spectrum of the industry. With the Rising Star entrants, many have set up their businesses from home, and we need to look at how the industry can capture this passion."

Martyn Leek, editor, British Baker, said: "All our finalists should feel rightly proud of their achievement. Our 25th anniversary Awards night promises to be a spectacular celebration."

On the night VIPs will enjoy a champagne reception, courtesy of associated sponsor Tesco, which is also sponsoring the bread rolls with dinner.

Kluman & Balter will again sponsor the cracker raffle, while Bako is donating a magnum of champagne on each table to be won in a prize draw, while raising money for the Bakers’ Benevolent Society. The dessert has been designed to incorporate culinary alcohol supplied by Thomas Lowndes, while the AB Mauri- sponsored casino will offer guests the chance to gamble with funny money to win a three-night stay in Antwerp.

To book your place, please call Elizabeth Ellis on 01293 846593 or email elizabeth.ellis@wrbm.com.

BIA finalists

In-store Bakery Retailer of the Year:
Asda
Sainsbury’s
Tesco
Morrisons

Product Innovation of the Year:
Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery
Finsbury Food Group
Puratos

The Rising Star Award:
Justin Clapham, Bettys Bakery
Stacey Anderson, Cake UK
Suzi Witt, Pretty Witty Cakes

Confectioner of the Year:
Greg Cadoni, Bachmanns
Gemma Pickup, Bettys &
Taylors of Harrogate
Lisa Boyles, Cooplands (Doncaster)

Retail Innovation of the Year:
Ashers Baking Company
Greggs
Wenzels The Bakers

Bakery Food Manufacturer of the Year:
Greggs
Finsbury Food Group
Rich Products

Baker of the Year:
Chris Bachmann, Bachmanns
Robert Burns, Burns the Bread
David Smart, Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery

Celebration Cake Maker of the Year:
Jules Smith, Cake UK
Sandra Monger, Sandra Monger Exquisite Wedding & Occasion Cakes
Leanne Tang, Terry Tang Designer Cakes

The Customer Focus Award:
BF Done & Son
Bells Of Lazonby
Dunn’s Bakery

The Craft Business Award:
Cinnamon Square
Dumouchel Patisserie
Paul UK

Speciality Bread Product of the Year:
A W Scott
Barbakan Delicatessen
Hobbs House Bakery

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