This is it, bakers: your last chance to enter the 2018 Britain’s Best Loaf competition.

The deadline for the contest, which is sponsored by Rank Hovis, is midnight tonight (Monday 26 March) – so don’t delay in visiting the website britainsbestloaf.co.uk for more information and to enter online.

Judging will take place at the Farm Shop & Deli Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 16 April.

Entering the competition is a great opportunity to show off your skills to your peers and potential customers and, if you produce a loaf that could be a winner in one of five categories – Gluten Free, Innovation, Sourdough, White or Wholegrain, then we want to know about it.

Winning the competition can also boost the fortunes of your business.

“We saw a massive increase in sales through the shop following the win,” says Season’s Bakery’s Dan Nemeth, creator of Britain’s Best Loaf 2017, the Beetroot Multiseed Sourdough.

The bakery has since featured in newspapers and, not surprisingly, Nemeth said he would be entering this year’s competition and recommended other businesses to do so.

“We are delighted to again give Britain’s bakers an opportunity to showcase their skill and the quality of their products through this competition,” said British Baker editor Vince Bamford.

“Our expert judges will again have to make some tough decisions in determining who wins the individual category awards and, of course, the ultimate accolade of Britain’s Best Loaf.”

The Farm Shop & Deli Show is being held from 16-18 April 2018 at the NEC, Birmingham, and will once again offer a fantastic selection of products from local and regional suppliers.