The Bread Factory and Great British Biscotti Co were among the winners at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards.

Craft business The Bread Factory was crowned Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year, while Dorset-based Great British Biscotti Co collected the SME Innovation of the Year award at the event, held at the Hilton Park Lane, London yesterday (1 November).

The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, run by British Baker’s sister title Food Manufacture and organised by William Reed Business Media, were celebrated in front of hundreds of food industry representatives.

Judges paid tribute to The Great British Biscotti Co’s “scale of ambition” and praised The Bread Factory’s commitment to investing in capacity and a new enterprise resource planning system.

“The Bread Factory’s passion, tenacity and achievement in translating craft bakery to high-scale commercial achievement, shines through this entry and delivered profit directly to the bottom line,” said the judges.

Commenting on Great British Biscotti Co’s win, judges said: “This is a true David versus Goliath story, in which our British hero is taking on the might of the established biscotti businesses in Italy. Not only is Great British Biscotti Co opening up global markets for its product range, it is also developing new on-the-go snacking products.”

Bakery Manufacturer of the Year finalists included Addo Food Group, American Muffin Company, Eric Richmond and Warrens Bakery.

The awards were presented by celebrity host and former England Rugby international Matt Dawson, who also hosted the 2016 Baking Industry Awards.

“Judging by the calibre of entries in this year’s food and drink manufacturing Oscars, Britain’s biggest manufacturing sector – food and drink manufacturing – is well placed to take on the challenge of making the best of Brexit’s opportunities while minimising its threats,” said Food Manufacture group editor Mike Stones.