Line-up of finalists for Team of the Year 2025 unveiled

Cake makers in Cumbria, pasty crimpers in Cornwall, and Lancashire-based cake decoration suppliers and doughnut fryers are the finalists for Team of the Year at the 2025 Baking Industry Awards.

Judges of the category, sponsored by coffee brand Lavazza, were looking for solid examples of teamwork driving success, growth, and efficiency as well as evidence of excellent cross-team communication and upskilling.

Here are the firms making the final four:

Ginger Bakers

Kendal-based manufacturer Ginger Bakers maintains a close-knit team of 10 including chefs, bakers, and assistants, plus managers for dispatch, customer services, sales, and marketing – all overseen by founder Lisa Smith who set it up in 2006.

The company highlighted how everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas, from cost savings, alternate suppliers, and process efficiencies, to new recipes such as gluten-free mince pies. It also noted how last year’s strategic recruitment of a dedicated accounts manager helped improve profit margins, while a newly created sales and marketing role led to a 16% rise in web traffic and a 57% jump in online revenue.

Volunteers with additional needs like Down’s syndrome and autism form part of the working week, which Ginger Bakers said helps teaches staff to slow down and foster a more inclusive workplace. Meanwhile, the open office setup allows colleagues to communicate freely, and when a team member left, they were able share out tasks among existing personnel to avoid the need to recruit for the role immediately.

Judges were charmed by the lack of a perceived hierarchy, the broadening of skill bases, and the sense of unity. “This entry stood out as a heartfelt and authentic reflection of what a truly values-driven business looks like,” said one judge, while another commented that their inclusive approach including the welcoming of volunteers on a weekly basis was a great policy supported by the entire team.

Proper Cornish

A team effort at the Bodmin-based savoury pastry manufacturer resulted in its biggest contract win in 36 years of operations, which required a redundant 1990 machine to be converted from analogue to digital and a significant amount of recruitment.

Everyone across Proper Cornish’s 240-strong workforce played their part in the specific growth project – production staff and engineers were flexible to shift changes, the HR team helped find around 60 new workers, and leadership kept everything on track.

The company said it prided itself on strong team engagement, utilising the likes of daily briefings, feedback schemes, and company newsletters and mailshots to support this.

The way the team at Proper Cornish “rose to the challenge with real professionalism and energy” was something impressing the judges. They noted that bringing new business on board was a great achievement, requiring tightly connected teamwork through disciplined communication.

Rainbow Dust

It’s been quite the turnaround for cake decoration specialist Rainbow Dust, which was on a “downward spiral” prior to being acquired by the Albex Group in November 2023. The team of 11 has helped the company go from strength to strength since, including accommodating production of its new sister brand Squires Kitchen at its Preston site.

The ‘can do’ attitude and problem-solving desire of Rainbow Dust’s employees has enacted significant positive changes, such as increasing service levels as well as sales by 30%, and rebranding almost 300 product lines. Individuals are noted to often take on tasks outside their nominated functions, with healthy debate promoted and quarterly lunches keeping everyone updated on latest developments.

Judges found the firm to radiate a “deep-rooted culture of respect and shared purpose”, with collaboration and agility of employees in aiding successful major launches standing out. “Each employee is honest and open, lifting each other up and celebrate wins together,” commented one judge.

Simply Doughnuts

Having previously triumphed in the category at the Baking Industry Awards in 2021, Blackburn-based Simply Doughnuts is back and among the finalists this year.

New retails deals for its long-shelf life doughnuts has demanded a 50% increase in production capacity over the past 18 months – up to 1.5m units per week – with the well-established team supporting this growth. Staff churn is claimed to be extremely low, and a number of workers have been recruited via publicly funded employability programmes.

Simply Doughnuts said it makes a real effort to share feedback results and recognise successes of its team members with rewards. In addition, its chairman plays a central role in encouraging skills development, with some apprentices having now progressed to supervisory or management positions.

The resilience and commitment to continuous improvement shone through for judges, who highlighted that the team was “built not just on skill, but on care, trust, and shared values”. This helped elevate the company’s strength of collaboration across all levels, from factory floor to the boardroom.

Join us for a night of celebration

The winners will be revealed at a black-tie ceremony on Thursday 23 October 2025 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, hosted by a yet-to-be-revealed celebrity guest.

Tickets for the awards are available now via the Baking Industry Awards website. Individual tickets cost £350+VAT and a table of 10 costs £3,325+VAT.

The event includes a dazzling drinks reception, a three-course dinner with wine and coffee, and an afterparty complete with snacks and entertainment to help you celebrate into the early morning.

Get your tickets here: https://bakeryawards.co.uk/live/en/page/attend