Here they are – the businesses, brands and individuals that have reached the final frontier at the 2019 Baking Industry Awards.

There’s a great big universe of talent in the bakery trade – and British Baker is delighted to be able to recognise and reward some of the brightest stars in the 2019 Baking Industry Awards.

Hundreds of guests – including many of the top figures from the UK’s biggest bakery manufacturers, suppliers and retailers – gathered at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London last night (4 September) for a fantastic awards ceremony, which featured a dazzling intergalactic theme.

This year’s host, former Pussycat Doll and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Ashley Roberts, presented the awards across 11 categories, including Baker of the Year, Supermarket Bakery Business of the Year and Bakery Manufacturer of the Year.

Roberts was aided in making the presentations by representatives from our sponsor companies.

As it does every year, the ceremony followed months of judging – with hundreds of product tastings, and judges conducting dozens of interviews and travelling an incredible 20,000 miles in total to visit businesses and ensure those companies and individuals recognised on the night were worthy of their accolades.

“Thank you to all those who have made the awards a reality,” said British Baker editor Vince Bamford.

“Each year, the judging becomes increasingly challenging and this year was no exception. So our thanks go to our sponsors, expert judges and the bakers and businesses who enter the awards, without whom this event simply could not happen.”

See below for a list of the 11 category winners – click on each one to see a profile of the winner and the finalists in each category.

Baker of the Year - Aidan Monks, Lovingly Artisan, Cumbria

The Bakery Innovation Award - Kombucha Sourdough, Lovingly Artisan, Cumbria

Bakery Manufacturer of the Year - Wrights Foods, Staffordshire

Celebration Cake Business of the Year - Shuga Budz, Wolverhampton

Free-from Bakery Product of the Year - Vegan Vegetable Quiche, Taylors Artisan Free-From Bakers & Pie Makers, Staffordshire

Outstanding Contribution to the Baking Industry - Paul Heygate, Heygates Mills and Fine Lady Bakeries

Speciality Bread Product of the Year - Beetroot Multiseed Sourdough, Seasons Bakery, North Yorkshire

Supermarket Bakery Business of the Year - Marks & Spencer

The Craft Bakery Business Award - Reeve the Baker, Wiltshire

The Customer Focus Award - Great British Biscotti Co, Dorset

The Rising Star Award - Megan Roberts, AB Mauri