London-based business Gradz Bakery has been crowned the Winner of the Speciality Savoury Category – and overall winner of the Tiptree World Bread Awards at St John’s Church, Hyde Park, London.

Agnes Gabriel, owner of the Gradz Bakery, was handed £1,000 in prize money and a Tiptree hamper by host Stephen Hallam, who is managing director of Dickinson & Morris and chair of the judges.

“The field was more competitive than ever,” says Hallam, whose fellow Judges included Frances Quinn from The Great British Bake Off, Colin Reese, Master of the Worshipful Company of Bakers and Andrew Whitley, founder of The Real Bread Campaign.

Gabriel beat off competition from loaves sent in from around the UK – delivered by courier, taxi and in person on the morning of the judging at Cathedral Hall, Westminster Cathedral, to ensure maximum freshness.

The Tiptree World Bread Awards, launched in January 2013, seek to celebrate the very best of British bread baking. Sponsored by fruit grower and preserver Tiptree and Brook Food, last year’s awards attracted 540 entries and entries have more than doubled since then.