Don’t forget to register for the Baking Industry Exhibition, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from 21-24 March. The event this year will see the inclusion of a new area the ’Craft Baker’s Shop’ designed to give exhibitors the chance to demonstrate new products, in order to help independent bakers improve their retail offering.

There are lots of giveaways and freebies at the show (and a creche for the kids) so you can give them away too for a litte while. Anyone who orders a Rondo Smartline 111 gets a new Smart car!

Ireks will be giving its first 25 customers who place an order an MP3 player. Reynards is giving away cash for prize-winning photos of your craft, plant production or food-to- go offering and there will be many show discounts. Tromp, Reiser and Benier will be among those launching new equipment, while California Raisins will have a French craft baker demonstrating sourdough breads and giving away 10 different artisan recipes.

The show will also feature Bakery Live, and California Raisins will be hosting its Future Baker of the Year competition. The UK national heat of the Louis Lesaffre Cup will also take place at the show with some of the country’s best bakers and pasty-makers taking part.

Register for the event at www.bakingindustryexhibition.co.uk.