The British Baker Christmas Stars competition is back for 2019 and we want you to tell us about the shining stars in your festive line-up.

The competition gives businesses the chance to show off their festive creations. Any professional baker or bakery retailer has until Monday 9 September to enter their products in one of eight categories, including the new for 2019 Festive Savoury Pies & Pastries.

A winner and highly commended product are selected in each category, allowing the creators to use the Winner or Highly Commended logo on all marketing material and on-pack.

Whether you have one shop or hundreds, if you supply multiple retailers or operate your own independent shop, winning a Christmas Star will be a seal of approval for you and your business.

The products will be judged by a panel of industry experts who will score them on key criteria, including appearance, taste, aroma, value and innovation. Products are judged ‘blind’, with judges unaware of the identity of the manufacturer/retailer at the tasting stage.

To find out more, and to enter, visit bakerychristmasstars.co.uk.

The eight Christmas Stars categories are:

Christmas Cakes, Pastries & Tarts

Any of the following types of products can be entered for this category:

  • Christmas Cake – The cake can be any size, but it must contain a mix of dried fruit and almonds. It can be decorated in any way.
  • Cake Bar – The bars can be sold individually or in a multi-pack. They can be of any flavour and contain any ingredients you wish, but they must at least have a festive feel or packaging. Traybakes are also allowed.
  • Festive Cake or Pudding (but not a traditional Christmas pudding) – This can be of any size, feature any ingredients or be made with any baking technique. However, the product must only be available for sale over the festive period.

Stollen

This yeasted cake must contain almonds and a mix of dried fruit. It can be of any size or shape.

Christmas Puddings

The traditional Christmas puddings must contain a mix of dried fruit and some kind of alcoholic beverage. It can be decorated in any way.

Festive Biscuits (Sweet and Savoury) including Gingerbread

Any of the following types of products can be entered for this category:

  • Christmas Biscuit Selection – It must be sold as a selection especially for Christmas.
  • Savoury Biscuit – These can be any type of savoury biscuit or cracker.
  • Christmas Gingerbread – Can be an individual gingerbread biscuit or sold in a pack. They can be decorated in any way.

Festive Bread including Panettone

Any of the following types of products can be entered for this category:

Festive Bread – This can be any type of bread (white, brown, wholemeal, sourdough, rye etc), but must only be available for sale over the Christmas period.

Panettone – This sweet Italian bread must include vanilla, citrus and candied fruit. It can be of any size or shape.

Free-from Christmas Bakery

This can be any festive-themed product that has been specifically developed to be free-from at least one major allergen, in compliance with food labelling regulations.

Mince Pies– sponsored by Flemings Zeelandia

The pies must contain mincemeat, but can also include other flavours to accompany it. They can be made from any kind of pastry and can be any shape or size.

Festive Savoury Pies and Pastries

Any of the following types of products can be entered for this category:

  • Savoury pies – The pies can be of any size and made with any type of pastry or fillings, as long as they’re savoury.
  • Savoury pastries – This can be any type of festive-themed pastry including, but not limited to, wellingtons, sausage rolls and pasties. They can be made with any type of pastry and any type of filling, as long as it’s savoury.

The Christmas Stars winners will be announced in mid-October in time for you to ramp up your Christmas marketing activity.

Entry fees are £99 per product for small/medium bakery businesses and £299 per product for large bakery businesses (75-plus employees).

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