Hundreds from the baking industry turned out to see who would be crowned winners at the Baking Industry Awards 2014 (BIA) annual ceremony at the Park Lane Hilton last night. 

Mark Bennett, managing director at Patisserie Mark Bennett in Dorset, was crowned Baker of the Year in the much-coveted Brook Food Processing Equipment-sponsored category, while supermarket giant Sainsbury’s scooped the title of In-Store Bakery Retailer of the Year, once again sponsored by Zeelandia. 

Serial bakery entrepreneur David Powell was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to the Baking Industry award, sponsored by Délifrance, following a lifetime in the industry. His major accomplishments have included presidency of the Alliance for Bakery Students & Trainees, as well as a spell as Master of the Worshipful Company of Bakers.

A total of 11 awards were bestowed upon the industry’s most deserving with a full list of winners below. For more details of the Baking Industry Awards click here.

TV sitcom star and natural comedian Hugh Dennis hosted the evening and presented the awards alongside category sponsors, as well as entertaining guests with his superb stand-up.

Guests were also treated to the AB Mauri-sponsored casino, a Wright’s Baking Ingredients-sponsored photo booth and many took their turn on the dance floor.

Martyn Leek, editor, British Baker, said: “The Baking Industry Awards are still going strong 27 years on and that demonstrates how much appreciation the industry holds for its peers and the work they do. This year has, again, demonstrated the wealth of both established and emerging talent in the baking world and it was fantastic to see such a great turn-out to celebrate our thriving industry.”

Check back soon for photos and videos of the night.

Baking Industry Awards winners 2014:
Baker of the Year, sponsored by Brook Food Processing Equipment - Mark Bennett, Mark Bennett Patisserie

The Rising Star Award, sponsored by Stevens Group - Tom Thexton, Wild Thexton

Speciality Bread Product of the Year, sponsored by Bakels - Kevin Sherlock of Paul UK for Pain Ancien Couronne

The Craft Business Award, sponsored by Dawn Foods - Bettys Craft Bakery

The Customer Focus Award, sponsored by CSM - JG Ross

In-Store Bakery Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Zeelandia - Sainsbury’s

Celebration Cake Business of the Year, sponsored by Renshaw - Slattery

Free-from Bakery Product of the Year (new), sponsored by Ingredion - Just: Gluten Free Bakery with its gluten-, wheat-, dairy- and egg-free white bread

Bakery Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Sonneveld - The Village Bakery

The Innovation Award, sponsored by Asda - Cinnamon Square

Outstanding Contribution to the Baking Industry Award - David Powell