Baking Industry Awards 2024: Naomi Spaven triumphs in Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award commends up-and-coming talent in the baking industry and is aimed at those in work, training, or college who can demonstrate their achievements over the past three years since entering the sector.

This year, the trio of finalists were all women from Wales who demonstrated excellent business acumen, technical ability, and raw passion for bakery.

Winner: Naomi Spaven, Coleg Cambria

A finalist in this category last year, Naomi Spaven has triumphed to take home the trophy. Over the past year she has worked hard to gain more experience and fill gaps in her knowledge with a week at the School of Artisan Food and one at the Richemont Centre of Excellence in Lucerne, Switzerland among them (both part of the Worshipful Company of Bakers’ bursary programme). This is alongside her Level 3 in Advanced Baking Industry Skills.

Since her appearance in the line-up in 2023 she has also taken on a new role at iâl Restaurant at Coleg Cambria in Wrexham, leaving behind her beloved job as head baker at Wylde Bakery. She confesses she wasn’t looking for a new position but couldn’t turn down what she describes as “an absolute dream role” as lead baker & patisserie chef for the site.

In the few months since joining, Naomi has hit the ground running with one major development being her procurement of a pastry sheeter for the restaurant which has allowed her to develop her pastry skills and create an ever-changing menu of delectable goods for its customers.

Even though her motto is “Poco a poco” (meaning slowly, slowly), she doesn’t sit still, particularly when it comes to her personal development or sourcing ideas for future projects. As such, Naomi is often seen exploring the food scene (both locally in North Wales and further afield) on her Instagram LittleWelshFoodie where she shares recipes, and updates on her life as a baker.

“Naomi’s passion shone so brightly and her enthusiasm for bakery is infectious,” said the judges who also praised how “eager she is to pass on her knowledge and build a bakery community”.

Part of this has seen her initiate a project with her local primary school where she plans to help encourage children to bake and better understand the food they are eating.

Finalist: Ella Muddimann, Coleg Cambria

Ella has conquered many personal challenges in getting where she is today having found peace and confidence in herself through baking. Starting out as a hobby baker, she has turned it into a career with iâl Restaurant at Coleg Cambria in Wrexham where she has recently completed a Level 2 Diploma in Proficiency in Baking Industry Skills and is due to start Level 3 in September.

Here, she produces a variety of baked goods for the restaurant and also works with and trains students from the college.

Looking forward, Ella aspires to evolve as an educator and a mentor as well as a “beacon for positive mental health”. “My ultimate goal is to impart not only technical skills but also a mindset that encourages continuous learning and personal development,” she said.

The judges praised Ella’s holistic approach to baking, particularly how she is driving change by setting an excellent example to those around her. They commended her ability to take on challenges and deliver results, as seen through her expansion restaurant’s offering and its positive effect on sales.

Hannah Worth, Bowla

As founder and director of Bowla (A Bowl with a Roll), which produces bowler hat-shaped rolls from a patented mould, Hannah has built the business from the ground up over the past 1.5 years. It started with an idea from her dad Clayton, but Hannah was the one to run with it switching her career trajectory entirely to be involved.

At present, the business is in the middle of moving to a new site at Swansea Indoor Market which will help take it to the next level. From there, Hannah has big ambitions for Bowla with her eyes set on nationwide distribution in the next two to three years as well as supplying moulds to other bakeries under license to help conquer the out-of-home and casual dining markets.

She is the face of the brand and does all the networking – always striving to learn something new. She also knows an opportunity when it comes across her path, noting that her proudest moment so far was when Bowla appeared on TV show Aldi’s Next Big Thing.

Her passion for the business is unmatched, according to the judges who also praised her tenacity in driving the idea forward and putting her name out there. Hannah isn’t afraid to ask for help when she needs it either and has built a community of bakery and business specialists around her.