There’s a busy year ahead for the baking industry with a host of exhibitions, competitions, and conferences to inspire and inform, as well as several chances to celebrate.
To help keep track of them, British Baker has compiled the list below.
Note: these dates were correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
January
18-22 January – Sigep
Location: Rimini, Italy
Aimed at the foodservice industry, Sigep aims to bring together professionals from the worlds of gelato, pastry and chocolate, coffee, bakery, and pizza.
28 January – The Artisan Collective
Location: The Compound, Birmingham
This invite-only event, sponsored by Craggs & Co, will see the artisan bakery community gather to share skills, network, and sample delicious food. We will also be revealing the Bakers’ Dozen – the top 13 artisan bakeries in Britain as named by our voting academy.
February
8 February – Laser Dinner Dance
Location: Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
Join the Craft Bakers Association for an evening of food, friends, and festivities at this black-tie event. Tickets cost £125 and include a three-course dinner with breathtaking views of the Solent.
10 February – Bakers Gathering 2025
Location: University College Birmingham (UCB)
This is the UCB bakery department’s informal gathering with a spot of lunch and a handful of guest speakers. This includes ABST president Jacqui Passmore on how the industry is looking to connect businesses with bakery students, Mark Tilling from Barry Callebaut on the issues facing the chocolate sector, and an update from one of UCB’s graduates on their experience of bakery so far.
15-23 February – Real Bread Week
Created and run by the Real Bread Campaign since 2010, Real Bread Week is the annual, international celebration of additive-free bread and the people who make it. During the week, consumers are encouraged to buy ‘real bread’ from local, independent bakeries or have a go at baking their own.
24 February-2 March – Cornish Pasty Week
The annual celebration will see pasty makers around the county raising money for local schools to help inspire the next generation of cooks and bakers whilst also bringing back some much-loved aspects of Cornish Pasty Week of old. This year’s edition will include a brand-new competition to find the world’s fastest amateur pasty crimpers as well as a tour by beloved characters Mr and Mrs Pasty.
26 February – Wales Bakery Conference
Location: Coleg Cambria, Wrexham
The bakery sector in Wales and beyond will gather to for a day of learning, networking, and celebration. Speakers on the day include ADM Milling’s Simon Penson, Matt Loughrey from The Burnt Chef Project, and Terry Fennell from FDQ. The event is free to attend.
March
3-9 March – British Pie Week
British Pie Week is an annual celebration of all things pie related. The British Pie Awards are at the centre of the week with judging on the 5 March and the winners revealed on the 7 March.
14-18 March – Internorga
Location: Hamburg Messe und Congress, Germany
The international trade fair the hospitality and restaurant industry offers exhibitors a platform to present their products to the entire out-of-home market. It also includes conferences and discussions, as well as competitions and awards.
17-19 March – International Food & Drink Event
Location: ExCel London
Part of Food & Drink Hospitality Week, IFE and sister shows IFE Manufacturing and HRC offer networking opportunities and access to products from across the food and drink sector.
20 March – Baking Forum
Location: The Queens Hotel, Leeds
Returning for its second outing, the day-long event aims to shine a light on how the baking industry can approach a transformative shift, as technology provides solutions in the drive for improving sustainability. Hosted by TV presenter, Julia Bradbury, speakers on the day include senior figures from Rockwell Automation, the Bühler Group, IGD, Kantar, National Farmers Union, and more.
April
7 April – Britain’s Best Cake
Location: NEC Birmingham
Proudly sponsored by Dawn Foods, Kluman & Balter, Rainbow Dust, and Sonneveld Group, Britain’s Best Cake 2025 aims to celebrate the sumptuous, sweet treats on offer. There are eight categories to choose from, including the brand-new Innovation category which celebrates out-of-the-box thinking in the world of cake. There are opportunities for all types of cakes to triumph, so classics and fan favourites are also welcome from crowd-pleasing carrot cakes and luxurious loaf cakes to mind-blowing brownies and fabulous fruit cakes.
8 April – Britain’s Best Loaf
Location: NEC Birmingham
Proudly sponsored by ADM Milling, Brook Food & Bakery Equipment, and Rademaker, Britain’s Best Loaf 2025 shines a spotlight on the fantastic bread available from the nation’s bakeries. There are eight categories to choose from, presenting a chance for bread of all shapes and sizes to take home a trophy, from showstopping sourdough, wonderful whites, and international-inspired goodies.
7-9 April – UK Food & Drink Shows
Location: NEC Birmingham
Organised by British Baker publisher William Reed, the UK Food & Drink shows comprise the Farm Shop & Deli Show, Food & Drink Expo, Foodex Manufacturing Solutions, National Convenience Show, The Forecourt Show, and The Restaurant Show. They encompass food development, manufacturing, grocery, hospitality, specialist retail, forecourt and convenience retail, wholesale and foodservice.
15-16 April – British Society of Baking’s Spring Conference and Golf Day
Location: Cotswold Hotel & Spa, Oxfordshire
The conference will feature discussions on key topics impacting the baking industry, with Bakery Brand of the Year Jason’s Sourdough already confirmed to speak. Like last year, the spring conference has been paired with the BSB Golf Day, which takes place on 15 April.
May
10 May – Scottish Pie Awards Dinner
Location: TBC
Hosted by Scottish Bakers, this dinner will see the winners of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards revealed.
10-18 May – National Doughnut Week
Bakeries, cafés, bistros, and other small businesses are encouraged to join the week-long celebration of doughnuts by donating a portion of their doughnut sales to charity The Children’s Trust. The 2024 celebration saw more than £44,000 raised for the charity.
18-22 May – IBA
Location: Exhibition centre, Düsseldorf
The trade fair for bakery, confectionery, and snacks is returning for 2025. It offers exhibitors and visitors the chance to exchange professional information, present products and innovations, and find out about news from the industry.
19-25 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.
June
13-15 June – Alliance for Bakery Students and Trainees Conference
Location: Alton Towers, Staffordshire
The ABST is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025 with its annual conference a key part of the celebrations. As usual, it will offer bakery students networking opportunities with key figures from the industry as well as the chance to take part in competitions.
August
11-17 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
Organised by the Real Bread Campaign, Sourdough September encourages consumers to bake sourdough and buy sourdough from small, independent bakeries.
13-17 September – International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE)
Location: Las Vegas Convention Centre
Produced by the American Bakers Association, Bakery Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds, and the Retail Bakers of America, the event offers a platform for the global community to discuss challenges and opportunities from strategies for navigating unpredictable input costs to innovative automation solutions.
16 September – Craft Bakers Association Business Day
Location: Hilton, Wembley
The event will see the return of masterclasses and the industry supporter showcase exhibition as well as a series of topical speakers and the opportunity to network. Full details will be revealed nearer the time.
24-25 September – Lunch!
Location: ExCel London
This event brings together the café, coffee shop, and food-to-go industry, for two days of networking, talks, and more.
October
4-8 October – Anuga
Location: Koelnmesse, Cologne
Trade fair for the international food industry with exhibitors consisting of manufacturers, importers, and wholesalers. Notably, there is a dedicated bread & bakery section.
8-9 October – British Society of Baking’s Autumn Conference
Location: Ardencote Hotel, Warwick
The conference will feature discussions on key topics impacting the baking industry. As usual, there will be a dinner for attendees on the evening of 8 October.
23 October – Baking Industry Awards
Location: The Royal Lancaster, London
The biggest night of celebration in the UK baking industry returns. Now in its 38th year, the black-tie event follows months of judging and celebrates the standout people, products, and businesses which make the bakery sector such a special place to be. The winners will be announced by a yet-to-be-revealed celebrity host with awards given in categories including Bakery Brand of the Year, Bakery Retailer of the Year, and Rising Star Award.
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