Bakers and confectioners are advised to get their skates on if they want to take part in this year’s Baking Industry Awards, as the deadline, Friday 16 May, is fast approaching. The Awards have a category to suit everyone, so there’s no excuse not to have a go.

Just think! You could be one of the people stepping into the spotlight to claim a top accolade at our glittering Bakery Industry Awards gala night, held in the top-class surroundings of the Grosvenor House hotel in London on Monday 15 September.

But the Awards are about more than just the celebration; they are an industry-wide recognition of excellence in a particular field of the bakery business and bring many benefits to the winner and the winning company. Apart from the industry recognition that you will certainly achieve, advantages include the chance to promote your business as a finalist or award-winner to both your customers and local media and gain plenty of coverage in the pages of British Baker.

This is the 21st year of the Awards and the standard of entries has improved year on year. Having a go is what it’s all about and, who knows, you might surprise yourself at the result. For the past 20 years the Baking Industry Awards have recognised achievement and professionalism across the baking industry, and all of its winners are members of an exclusive group that is held in high regard by all bakery colleagues.

== Judging the awards ==

A separate panel of judges, organised by the sponsoring company, will adjudicate each of the categories in the Awards. You do not have to be a supplier or a customer of any of the category sponsors to enter. Each panel contains representatives from the sponsoring company, plus an independent expert judge. This panel will draw up a short-list of competitors and will visit each finalist’s business or workplace. Or, the panel may call the short-listed finalists to their premises.

A member of the British Baker team then joins each of the final judging panels to help decide the finalists, who will take the trip to the awards ceremony in London, as well as the overall category winner. A company may enter more than one category, but different company representatives must enter each of the chosen categories. No one person can enter more than one category.

== Gala evening ==

Finalists will be invited, courtesy of the sponsor in each category, to attend the Awards evening, along with their partner. A celebrity host - last year it was the well-known glamorous actress Joanna Lumley - will present certificates to the finalists and winners on stage. The Awards evening includes a three-course meal and wine, dancing and a casino. Last year over 900 people attended and tickets sell out fast. To book a table or place for the Awards evening, contact Elizabeth Ellis on tel: 01293 846593 or email elizabeth.ellis@william-reed.co.uk

== Check out the website ==

The website - [http://www.bakeryawards.co.uk] - gives details of all the categories, has downloadable forms and full information on how to enter, including a checklist for entrants. You can also read what some of last years’ winners had to say about the event and see photographs of the glamorous Awards night itself.

== The 11 categories this year are: ==

Baker of the Year, sponsored by Vandemoortele

The Achievement in Bakery Training Award, sponsored by Rich’s

Bakery Food Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by ADM

Bakery Supplier of the Year, sponsored by Sainsbury’s

Celebration Cake Maker of the Year, sponsored by Renshaw

The Craft Business Award, sponsored by Rank Hovis

The Customer Focus Award, sponsored by BakeMark UK

In-Store Bakery of the Year, sponsored by Délifrance

Plant Product of the Year, sponsored by Puratos

The Organic Award, sponsored by Asda

The Quality Product Award, sponsored by Tesco

Entry forms for the awards are now available to download from the dedicated website, [http://www.bakeryawards.co.uk]. Alternatively, contact Stephanie Smallwood on 01293 610433 or email stephanie.smallwood@william-reed.co.uk