The Artisan Collective 2024: programme

The Artisan Collective 2024 takes place on Tuesday 30 January at The Compound in Birmingham. 

Here, the community will gather to celebrate artisan bakeries and the people behind them. The event will also offer a platform in which to facilitate conversations and share skills, as well as gaining expert advice from our sponsors: Angel Refrigeration, Craggs & Co, and Rondo. You can find out more about the programme below:

1.30pm

Guests arrive for a fabulous selection of drinks and nibbles and the chance to network with each other. There will also be a product showcase where The Artisan Collective will be encouraged to bring along one (or more) of their delightful products to share with other guests.

2.15pm

Welcome from British Baker editor, Amy North, followed by a Q&A with bakers who have brought their products to the event.

2.45pm

Guests can choose between sessions

In the kitchen – Sourdough masterclass with Wayne Caddy

In this interactive masterclass, sourdough specialist and bakery oracle Wayne Caddy, founder of Sourdough Slingers pro bakery workshops, will demonstrate the ins and outs of maintaining sourdough to produce beautiful loaves every time. As part of this session, he will take questions from the audience on all aspects of sourdough production as well as discuss the importance of ingredients and the impact they can have on the process.

In the garden – Apprenticeships: the secret ingredient to success?

This session will see our experts explore how bakery apprenticeships work for employers and those studying, what options are open to businesses, and the benefits of apprenticeships versus other forms of learning.

3.30pm

Networking

4pm

Guests can choose between sessions

In the kitchen – How to make equipment work for you

Sponsors Angel Refrigeration and Rondo lead a session during which they discuss how bakers can get the most out of equipment, take their first steps into automation while maintaining their artisanal ethos, and drive efficiency within their bakery.

In the cinema – Building your community

Communities are the lifeblood of artisan bakeries. In this session, Lovingly Artisan will explore how to build and engage your community online and in person.

In the attic – Diversifying your business

This community-led session will see Lee from Baked In Brick discuss how he has diversified his business and how he identified and actioned the opportunities to him.

On the balcony – How to make your artisan bakery more sustainable

From using regenerative flour to reducing waste, upcycling ingredients and more, this panel will explore what artisan bakers can do to make their businesses more sustainable.

On the landing – An impactful in-store experience

This discussion will explore how to get shoppers through the door and keep them coming back for more. Store decoration, making sure your staff are approachable and friendly, and more, will be discussed.

5pm

Networking in the garden with drinks and nibbles.

5.15pm

Editor Amy North reveals the Bakers’ Dozen – the top 13 bakeries in Britain as named by our voting academy.

6pm

Carriages

Please note: this programme is subject to change.