It was an evening to celebrate! Over 800 of the top bakers and confectioners, together with ingredients and equipment suppliers gathered to enjoy an evening of fun.

It all began with a champagne reception, sponsored by Warbur-tons, then everyone was called to dinner in the glittering Great Room. After the welcome speeches by Wm Reed Business Media’s MD Charles Reed and British Baker’s editor Sylvia Macdonald, the celebrations kicked off with the Kluman & Balter prize balloon draw, with three lucky winners each receiving a £100 travel voucher.

Following grace, said by Master of the Worshipful Company of Bakers John Renshaw, at which the bread roll was customarily broken, guests began tucking into the rolls - a variety of seeded and wholegrain - provided by Bakels.

After a meal of smoked salmon and fennel mousse tart, then confit of spiced duck with sesame of sticky rice cake and vegetables, followed by bitter chocolate truffle with banana brûlée and Oreo cookie ice cream, excitement mounted as TV celebrity Kate Thornton took to the stage to present the awards.

All finalists and winners were called to the stage with the sponsors of their categories. Walk-up music fitted in with the Las Vegas theme of the evening.

At the conclusion of the awards, it was announced that over £5,000 had been raised for the Bakers’ Benevolent Society in a drive sponsored by Bako, which had contributed the table centres for the evening, including magnums of Champagne. One lucky winner on each table, who found a star underneath their chair seat, was able to take the magnum home.

Everyone was able to take their own pictures on the night, with cameras supplied by Kingsmill. As soon as the awards finished, Frank Sinatra burst onto the scene with a singing lookalike who, in keeping with the vibrant Las Vegas theme, was followed by Elvis Presley’s dramatic double.

As the dance floor filled up, others headed in their droves to the Cereform casino. Cereform was offering a VIP weekend in London at a top-class hotel, with dinner at a gourmet restaurant, a helicopter trip, plus a visit to a casino with cash from Cereform! The casino tables filled fast.

The famous Las Vegas Avenue, complete with gambling mach-ines, was sponsored by Finsbury Food Group, with many conten-ders also vying for a top-scoring helicopter ride over the sights of London. Carriages at 2am rounded off a fabulous evening that recognised true talent across the UK baking industry.

l To order photos of the night go to [http://www.roblawson.com]. Username is bia. Then follow the instructions.

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