n Peter’s Food Service, which makes Peter’s brand pies, pasties and sausage rolls, has been named Business of the Year at the Caerphilly Business Awards. The awards is designed to recognise business achievement in the County Borough of Caerphilly in South East Wales.

n Food & Drink Expo 2008, an exhibition for food and drink products and services from around the world, will run alongside Baking Industry Exhibition (BIE) April 6-9. For more information email julie.higgins@william-reed.co.uk or call 01293 867639.

n LASER’s members met last week at the Bakers’ Hall London. Guest speakers included Chris Dabner, parliamentary officer of the National Association of Master Bakers, and Paul Merry, a teacher and baker. Dabner gave an update on the latest legislation from Europe and the UK. Merry talked about baking sourdough breads.

n Hollands Craft Bakery has launched a new flour delivery business called Hollands Flour Distributors. The Walsall-based company claims it has sourced cheaper flour from Poland. The flour is currently being sold to local craft bakers at £360 a tonne.

n One of South Africa’s largest food companies, Tiger Brands, has been fined more than £7m for its part in a bread price-fixing scandal. The country’s Competition Commission has been looking into allegations that three leading companies, including Tiger Brands and Pioneer Foods, fixed bread and flour prices.

n Bromsgrove bakery Quality Crusts has closed because of spiralling rent and falling trade. Its Droitwich shop remains open.