OVER 23,000 customers from across Scotland have voted for their favourite bakery products across six categories
Judging day saw 170 bakers deliver 600 of their most popular scones, loaves, savoury items, morning rolls, individual cakes and biscuits for judging by the professionals whose job it was to decide upon the best six products in the land.
And now just nine of the top bakers in Scotland have made it to the all-important business category.
But there will only be one Craft Baker of the year, one Retail Baker of the year and one Wholesale Baker of the year.
And only one of these will ultimately be crowned SCOTTISH BAKER OF THE YEAR.
The shortlist includes:
* J G Ross of Inverurie
* Reids of Caithness
* Borders Biscuits
* Cuckoos Bakery of Edinburgh
* McGhees of Glasgow
* Mimi’s Bakehouse of Edinburgh
* Murrays or Perth
* Aulds of Greenock
* The Kandy Bar of Saltcoats
Each of these bakers submitted a business case why their bakery is the best in the land and each baker was also be subjected to a panel interview by independent business judges, including Mike Tully, of Bako Northern & Scotland, Andrew Underwood, Macphie, Stephen Buchan, Clydesdale Bank and Richard Tearle, Rondo.
The bakers now face a video interview in their bakery. Celebrity cake-designer, Mich Turner MBE, who will be presenting the awards at the Scottish Bakers conference in May, said” “It is a strong short list this year, some great businesses are in with a shot. I look forward to being surprised and delighted when I announce the winners in Glasgow.”
2014 winner – Ali Asher, of craft bakery and family-owned business, Ashers – said: “Since winning, our business has gone from strength to strength and we have been able to share our success with all of our customers by continuing to provide the best baked goods, day in and day out. We wish everyone all the best in this year’s competition.”
Each of our six categories has been divided into three regions, covering Highlands, Islands, Central and Tayside, Borders and Southern Scotland.
Within each category, the judges will award regional Gold, Silver and Bronze awards and all our shortlisted bakers will be invited to a prestigious ceremony in May where they will find out what colour their regional award will be.
The final results will remain a closely guarded secret until 9th May when Mich will announce the results and also crown the Scottish Baker of the Year 2015, a crown currently held by Ashers Bakery of Nairn.
Chief executive of Scottish Bakers, Alan Clarke, said: “We have been delighted by the response from customers and from bakers for this year’s competition.
“It highlights the fantastic work that bakers do day in and day out across Scotland. We are delighted to highlight and promote this work and I am confident that any one of our nine shortlisted finalists will make a worthy winner for 2015.”
Scottish Bakers was established in 1891 and since then have represented and promoted the interests of the bakery trade in Scotland. They aim to be an integral part of each member’s business by providing support for Bakers of all sizes.
They provide a valuable source of help, advice, information, assistance and skills development for bakers throughout Scotland.
Most importantly, Scottish Bakers belongs to its members and exist for their benefit. They are proud of their motto, ‘for the good of all.’
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