Meet the Baker of the Year 2024 finalists

The four finalists for Baker of the Year 2024 exemplify passion for bakery, have top-notch skills and are producing some outstanding baked goods for customers across the country.

Sponsored by Brook Food & Bakery Equipment, the category aims to find the very best bakers the industry has to offer with judges looking for individuals who also understand the market and have made a positive impact on their respective businesses.

Meet the four bakers in the running for the trophy at this year’s Baking Industry Awards:

Aidan Monks, Lovingly Artisan

Aidan is looking to secure the title of Baker of the Year for a second time, having previously taken home the trophy in 2019.

As owner and head baker of the Cumbria-based bakery, he is ‘front and centre’ in the business taking a hands-on role in production as well as building relationships with suppliers and customers and planning for the future, which includes opening a new location complete with on-site mill.

Aidan says being in the bakery is his favourite time. “We are in the key stages of growth so It’s vital to share, teach and mentor my team during their shifts. Quality control is never at the end of the bake, it’s consistent throughout the bake,” he explains.

His output was “outstanding”, according to the judges, who praised him for “taking responsibility of everything, every day”. He has progressed significantly since the previous win and has driven Lovingly Artisan to new heights by introducing pastry production and expanding into growing and milling wheat.

Gary Kadas, Seven Seeded Artisan Bakery

As head of production at Seven Seeded in London, Gary’s primary responsibility is to ensure its products are the best on the market particularly with such a discerning customer base comprised of Michelin Star chefs, restaurateurs, and hotels.

He is responsible for a team of 22 bakers, 15 pastry chefs, and 14 packers – many of whom had never baked before joining the business. Gary says imparting his knowledge and seeing the team blossom into skilled bakers delivering great products is among his greatest achievements. He has also been instrumental in the impressive growth of Seven Seeded which has increased its capacity exponentially over the last two years and rolled out a host of new products.

To find inspiration for NPD Gary says he is constantly visiting the newest bakeries across the country.

Gary’s impact on improving products and expanding the customer base is “commendable”, noted the judges, who also praised his hands-on skills and ability to deliver top-notch products while building an excellent team around him.

Sandor Bagameri, Stir Bakery

Sandor is described as a ‘constant, visible presence’ at Cambridge-based Stir Bakery where he can be found every day with his apron on making a variety of baked goods. As head of bakery operations, his impact on the business and team is immeasurable, and he has recruited all but two of the 24-strong bakery team.

Stir’s revenue has more than doubled since Sandor joined and the product range has grown to more than 120 different items with up to 3,000 units a day leaving its production bakery – all overseen, and in some cases personally produced, by him. He has also been instrumental in securing new wholesale customers and deepening relationships with existing ones.

Sandor is described by the judges as “a great finalist who has shown expansion and further innovation in his speciality ranges since last year” when he was also a finalist in the category. His products are “outstanding” with the Sprouted Grain Sourdough described as “phenomenal” (something recognised by the judges on the Speciality Bread Product of the Year as well).

Tomas Martin, 4Eyes Bakery

Tomas is the man behind Britain’s Best Loaf 2024 – a Garlic & Rosemary Deep Pan Focaccia. He described winning the trophy ahead of ‘such talented people’ as ‘truly astonishing’ but his achievements go far beyond that. As head baker and bakery manager at 4Eyes Bakery, he’s been a driving force of its growth from a small independent bakery at a food hall in Chesterfield into a flourishing wholesale supplier, flying the flag for its artisanal, long fermentation bread offering.

As the business expands, Tomas has been keen to ensure the artisanal skills remain without the need for ‘heavy machinery’ and that the quality of the end products is maintained. As well as being a hands-on baker, he is also helping two bakery apprentices on their journey with the hope of instilling passion and skills into them to drive the business and industry forward.

He is also passionate about regenerative farming and is working hard to improve the sustainability credentials of 4Eyes Bakery.

Tomas “oozes passion, knows his subject very well, and shows great attention to detail” said the judges, who commended his products and the development process used to create them.

Join us for a night of celebration

The winners will be revealed at a black-tie ceremony on Thursday 24 October at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. The ceremony, hosted by a yet-to-be-revealed celebrity, will also feature a presentation for the Outstanding Contribution to the Baking Industry, sponsored by Délifrance.

Tickets for the awards are available now via the Baking Industry Awards website. Individual tickets cost £330+VAT and a table of 10 costs £3,300+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