Nearly 50 craft bakers and students from South Yorkshire, took part in the annual Sheffield Bakery competition on 28 February.

The annual competition was open to students attending Sheffield College, Doncaster College and Rother Valley College, as well as local craft bakers, including Staniforths (Rotherham), H Hofmann and Sons (Wakefield) and, from Sheffield, Barkers the Bakers, Sparks Confectionery, Brook Bakery and Shelf Village Bakery.

The panel of judges was chaired by Charles Geary, owner of Geary’s Bakeries, suppliers of a range of crusty breads, cobs, baps and confectionery. Other panel members included Beverley Habgood of Nottingham, Paul Rodgers of Doncaster, Roy Handy of Rotherham and Andrew Crowe of Bradford. Sheffield’s Lord Mayor Councillor, Jackie Drayton, also attended.

"Such competitions encourage local craft bakers to learn about Sheffield College and become aware of our talented bakery students," said Chris North, bakery lecturer, at Castle College.

"We hope such initiatives will help students gain a job in the Sheffield area, after graduating."

Winners included student Robert Kerrigan, who won the Zeelandia Trophy. Nick Ryan won The Burton Cup for battenburg cake and The Master Bakers’ cup for an 800g white loaf was won by Staniforths (Rotherham).

l See British Baker, 23 March, for a full list of winners.