Entries are flooding in for the second-ever Britain’s Best Cake competition, so make sure your stunning sweet treats are among the line-up.
Taking place at the UK Food & Drink Shows at the NEC Birmingham on Monday 7 April, the competition vows to celebrate the best cakes the nation has to offer. Sponsored by Dawn Foods, Kluman & Balter, Rainbow Dust, Sonneveld, and St. Ewe Free Range Eggs, it has eight categories ranging from brownie to occasion cake meaning there are opportunities for all types of cakes to shine.
“We’re thrilled to bring back Britain’s Best Cake after its successful first year,” enthuses British Baker editor Amy North. “We were blown away by the quality and quantity of entries in 2024, so we can’t wait to see what delights await us for the 2025 edition.”
Thinking of getting involved? Here are five reasons why you should enter Britain’s Best Cake today.
Judged by industry experts
Our judges know their stuff! The full panel – which is set to be announced in the coming weeks – features cake specialists, bakery lecturers, and even one of the winners of last year’s competition. Between them they have decades of experience which will be put to good use as they assess every cake on its external appearance, internal structure, aroma, and, of course, taste.
“I’ll be looking for a perfect balance of flavour, texture, and presentation,” explains Naomi Spaven, lead baker & patisserie chef at Ial Bakery (and Rising Star Award winner 2024) who is joining the judging panel this year. She triumphed in the Fruit Cake category of the 2024 event with a Dark Chocolate, Orange & Ginger Bara Brith.
“I’ll be looking for cakes with unique and bold flavours with plenty of creativity! I’d also love to see an innovative twist on a classic. I’ll be looking for beautiful presentation and the ultimate test: does that first bite leave you wanting more?” she adds.
More chances to be recognised
There are even more chances to be recognised at the 2025 competition. Not only have we added more categories including Innovation, which celebrates cakes which are bringing something new to the market (exactly what Naomi Spaven is looking for), but entrants now have the chance to win Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals for their cakes. This means that even more delicious cakes will come away with recognition they deserve.
We’ll still be crowning champions in each of the eight categories – Brownie / Blondie, Classic Cake, Free-From Cake, Fruit Cake, Innovation, Mini Cakes, Occasion Cake, Traybake – with these delightful bakes going on to battle it out for the title of Britain’s Best Cake 2025.
Increase your sales
Coming away with an award can do wonders for your business, as Spaven attests to. She created the winning Bara Brith during her time as head baker at Wylde Bakery and was “absolutely over the moon” when it was named Britain’s Best Fruit Cake.
“The Bara Brith recipe is very close to my heart and meant even more that it is traditionally Welsh,” she says. “We noticed a huge uptake in sales of the cake, with some people preordering several whole cakes at a time. We had people travelling some distance to come and try it as well.”
Create a talking point with customers
While some savvy customers will travel to your bakery just to taste an award-winning cake, success can also help create a talking point with others.
“Our shop customers comment on the award and ask to buy this cake when they see the trophy on our counter,” explains Lisa Smith, founder of Ginger Bakers which triumphed in the Traybake category with a beautifully decorated and delicious Orange, Cardamom & Bay Cake. “It has given us the opportunity to tell our customers via newsletters and social media about the award.”
British Baker will even help you with the latter as winners receive a marketing pack to help them spread the word. It includes a press release, social media assets, and logos for use in marketing, on packaging, shop signage, and more – all designed to help you make the most of your success.
Network with other talented bakers
As all of the cakes are judged live, it offers ample opportunity to mingle with fellow bakers who are eagerly watching from the sidelines. What’s more, the exclusive drinks reception will also allow further opportunities for networking as the crowd gets ready to celebrate the winners.
“Absolutely go for it,” are the words of encouragement from Naomi Spaven. “It’s a really fun day out where you can meet lots of fellow bakers. Although it’s fantastic to win, the taking part is the best bit. I will be entering Britain’s Best Loaf this year and I can’t wait.”
Smith concurs: “There is nothing to lose!”
Entries cost £37+VAT and the deadline is Monday 10 March. To submit your delightful bakes for our judges to sample, visit BritainsBestCake.co.uk and follow the step-by-step process.
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