Bath-based baker and author Richard Bertinet was named Food Champion of the Year at the Food & Farming Awards 2010 this week after being nominated by listeners of Radio 4’s Food Programme.

The French baker, who runs a cookery school and supplies Selfridges with a range of breads, won the award for inspiring people “to think differently about food”. 

Artisan baker Alex Gooch picked up the accolade for the Best Food Producer. Previously a head chef at a country house hotel, he became hooked on bread-making. He now sells his slow-fermented bread, made using a four-year-old starter, at the Thursday market in Hay on Wye.

The final round of judging was conducted by a panel of 12 experts, including chef Angela Hartnett (chair of judges), Mark Hix, Charles Campion, Sheila Dillon, Rose Prince, Simon Parkes and Kath Dalmeny.