Award winners celebrated in style with the cream of the UK’s baking industry

A galaxy of nearly 900 guests from all parts of the baking industry came out to London’s glitzy Grosvenor House hotel this week to join in the celebrations which marked the 20th annual Baking Industry Awards. The presence of hostess Joanna Lumley and a James Bond theme, which ran through the event, guaranteed that the evening was one of the most glamorous ever.

On the guest list were well-known faces from all the major craft and plant bakeries, millers, leading supermarkets, bakery trade bodies and suppliers - plus the odd celebrity or odd-celebrity lookalike, to be more precise, including Jaws, Oddjob and Sean Connery from the James Bond films.

Following a drinks reception, sponsored by Warburtons, diners took their place at tables, where they found disposable cameras, sponsored by supplier Cuisine de France.

Along with the meal, the guests could enjoy the breads at the table, supplied by The Cotswold Food Partnership and were given the chance to win high-tech gadgetry, provided by Kluman & Balter. In a new twist, after the awards ceremony, a Dame Shirley Bassey lookalike sang her heart out and entertained guests.

Next it was the turn of the nervous finalists in the 12 main categories of the Baking Industry Awards, plus one very taken-aback British Baker special award winner, to enjoy the limelight.

Then guests enjoyed more fun, including a Sonneveld-sponsored Scalextric track to win an Aston Martin Experience, a Cereform-sponsored casino and an indulgent dip in a Callebaut chocolate fountain. For photos, click on [http://www.roblawson.com]