The Dee Light Bakery in London has been named the Farm Shop & Deli Awards baker of the year.

The awards, now in their second year, recognise the best retailers in this sector by looking at category and regional winners before appointing an overall winner at the Farm Shop & Deli Show Live stage on Monday 20 April 2015 at 2.45pm at Birmingham’s NEC.

Hambleton Bakery in Rutland was also commended in the Farm Shop & Deli Awards.

The bakery was chosen from 500 entries across the 12 categories, which also included: Butcher of the Year; Cheesemonger of the Year; Fishmonger of the Year; Delicatessen of the Year; Food Hall of the Year; Farm Shop of the Year; Online Business of the Year; Greengrocer of the Year; Retail Group of the Year; Local Shop of the Year and Market of the Year.

Partnership

The awards are held in partnership with Olives Et Al, with category sponsors Lakeland Computers and Pidy and Hider. They recognise the very best standards in the UK’s independent, speciality retail market by celebrating the highest levels of service, product knowledge, initiative, innovation and community involvement, offered by our heroes of the high street.

The awards were judged by a team of expert judges from the world of speciality retail, fine food and food media. Once the award entries had been received, the judges drew up a shortlist of entrants and then carried out a series of ‘secret’ visits in December 2014 to see these entrants in action.

Nigel Barden, chairman of judges and food and drink journalist/broadcaster, said: “Another brilliantly rewarding set of visits. There are some very focused, driven and talented food retailers in Britain, who deserve to be nourished and encouraged. It’s marvellous that these awards can bring them to a much wider attention.”

The Dee Light Bakery was founded by National Bakery School Graduate Dee Monteleone.