The baking industry has a busy year ahead with a host of events, conferences, and awards to inspire and inform.
To help keep track of them, British Baker has compiled the below list.
Note: These dates were correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
January
24 January – World Championship Scotch Pie Awards
Location: The Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld
Hosted by Scottish Bakers, pie makers far and wide will be recognised for their outstanding products and the 2022 World Scotch Pie Champion will be crowned.
31 January – The Artisan Collective
This inaugural, invite-only event is hosted by British Baker and sponsored by Bako, Brook Food & Bakery Equipment, Craggs & Co, and Dawn Foods. It is a celebration of artisan bakeries and the people that make them so special, and comprises demonstrations, discussion panels and awards.
February
9 February – 2023 Trends for the Baking Industry
Location: All Nations Centre, Cardiff
ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre will be joined by several industry partners to showcase 2023 trends in bakery.
18-26 February – Real Bread Week
Hosted by the Real Bread Campaign, the week celebrates additive-free loaves and the people who make them.
25 February – Scottish Real Bread Festival
Location: Bowhouse
The first-ever Scottish Real Bread festival includes an awards ceremony, real bread focused market stalls, a chance to try different grains and more.
27 February-5 March – Cornish Pasty Week
Cornish Pasty Week returns for 2023 with a new initiative which will raise funds to help alleviate food poverty. Anyone making or selling genuine Cornish pasties is invited to donate money from every Cornish pasty sold during the week to charity Devon and Cornwall Food Action.
March
6-12 March – British Pie Week
Celebrating all things pie-related, the British Pie Awards are at the centre of the week with judging on the 8 March and the awards lunch on the 10 March
21 March – Bakers Roundtable
Location: AgriFood Centre, Plumpton College
This community focused evening will see bakers join together to discuss staffing and recruitment, and how to plan for the future. Speakers include Nick Harris from the Craft Bakers Association, Plumpton College’s bakery curriculum manager Anthony Gaston, and Allan Hancock, employment advisor at Brighton Job Centre Plus.
April
19 April – British Society of Baking Spring Conference
Location: Tythe Barn, Bicester
The conference will feature discussions on key topics impacting the baking industry.
24-26 April – UK Food & Drink Shows
Location: Birmingham NEC
Foodex Manufacturing Solutions, Food & Drink Expo, Farm Shop & Deli Show and National Convenience Show will be held in unison in 2023, encompassing food development, manufacturing, grocery, specialist retail, wholesale, and foodservice.
25 April – Britain’s Best Loaf
Location: Birmingham NEC
The competition features a morning of live judging in which each loaf is carefully considered by a panel of industry experts. In the afternoon, winners will be announced in seven categories – Gluten Free, Flavoured Sourdough, Innovation, International, Plain Sourdough, White and Wholegrain – before the champions battle it out for the ultimate title of Britain’s Best Loaf 2023.
May
5-6 May – Scottish Bakers Annual Conference and Awards
Location: Hilton, Glasgow
This two-day event includes the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards as well as the annual conference.
19 May – The 2023 Baking Forum
Designed to bring people together, The Baking Forum is endorsed by the Federation of Bakers and the Association of Baking Ingredient Manufacturers in support of the Bakers Benevolent Society. Topics up for discussion include sustainability and net zero, how can the government help and other challenges facing the baking industry.
20-28 May – National Doughnut Week
Sponsored by CSM Ingredients, National Doughnut Week sees businesses including bakers and coffee shops sell lots of delicious doughnuts to raise funds for The Children’s Trust.
22-28 May – British Sandwich Week
Organised by The British Sandwich & Food to Go Association, British Sandwich Week celebrates the humble sandwich as well as the contribution the industry makes to the economy.
31 May – British Society of Baking Golf Day
Location: Forest of Arden Golf and Country Club, Warwickshire
The British Society of Baking’s golf day helps to raise money for charity while providing an opportunity to network on the green.
June
14 June – Craft Bakers Association Business Day
Location: Euston Square, London
More details on the event will follow shortly.
16-18 June – Alliance of Bakery Students and Trainees (ABST) conference
Location: Alton Towers, Staffordshire
The 92nd annual conference will include a packed programme alongside a host of competitions including the ever popular ‘Lob the Cob’ final.
July
There are currently no bakery-related events happening this month.
August
7-13 August – Afternoon Tea Week
Afternoon Tea Week celebrates the great British tradition with venues across the UK running a selection of discounts and activities.
September
1-30 September – Sourdough September
Run by the Real Bread Campaign, Sourdough September is an opportunity for genuine sourdough bakers and baking teachers to showcase what they do.
October
22-26 October – IBA
Location: Munich
The international baking, confectionery, and snack exhibition will feature a programme of presentations and discussions alongside the exhibition.
November
7 November – Baking Industry Awards
Location: The Royal Lancaster, London
Hosted by British Baker, this black-tie event celebrates the best people, products, and businesses the baking industry has to offer. There’ll be entertainment, a three-course dinner and plenty of opportunity for networking with peers and potential customers.
December
There are currently no bakery-related events happening this month.
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