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Events & Awards
2022 SAW THE RETURN OF OUR PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AFTER OUR ENFORCED HIATUS

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ANNUAL REPORT & YEARBOOK 2021/2022 EVENTS & AWARDS
2022 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SCOTCH PIE AWARDS
WE WERE THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO LAUNCH THE 2022 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SCOTCH PIE AWARDS IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021. THIS WAS OUR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN TO OUR EVENTS CALENDAR SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
With certain Covid restrictions still in place at that time, we set about devising a plan for a “Covid safe” judging event which took place in the November. Led by our head judge Ian Nelson, we split the judging process into two sessions to reduce the number of people in the judging hall at the one time. The process ran so smoothly that we have decided to run the judging in this format going forwards. We received over 400 different pies and savouries for judging on the day and with the winners decided we were optimistic about putting plans in place for an awards lunch in January 2022, hosted once again by Carol Smillie. We were in the midst of final preparations for this when increased Covid restrictions were put in place by the Scottish Government which dashed our hopes for an in-person event. A last-minute plan of action then had to be made of how we announce the results. With the help of Carol and then President Linda Hill, we decided to surprise the World Scotch Pie Champion at their premises to coincide with a YouTube premiere of the full results. We were delighted to reveal Brownings the Bakers of Kilmarnock the winners of the World Champion title for a second time.
SEE FOR YOURSELF
You can watch the videos of the judging, our surprise presentation at Brownings, and the full competition results on You Tube – just scan the QR code to go to the playlist.





SCOTTISH BAKER OF THE YEAR LAUNCH EVENT
ANNUAL REPORT & YEARBOOK 2021/2022 EVENTS & AWARDS
THE SEARCH FOR THE SCOTTISH BAKER OF THE YEAR 2022/23 LAUNCHED ON THE 3 FEBRUARY 2022.
At the official launch we challenged five City of Glasgow College students to bring us ‘Scotland on a Cake’.
We marked the start of the competition with the final year bakery students going head-to-head at Trades Hall in Glasgow. The winning student, or students, as judged by Scottish veteran baker Robert Ross and Little Venice Cake Company Founder Mich Turner MBE, would take home a prestigious work experience day at multiple award winner Mimi’s Bakehouse with all the entrants receiving a day at lead sponsor BAKO’s development bakery in Preston. And they were! The entrants offered up: - A sumptuous Highland Cow created by Maryam Mehdizadehkasri - A super Saltire decorated by
Diane Cleland - A freedom Cake technically delivered by Brian Behan - An IrnBru bonanza iced by
Rebecca Balmforth - A piped saltire piped by
Kellyanne McClymont A sumptuous Highland Cow created by Maryam Mehdizadehkasri and a super Saltire decorated by Diane Cleland took the top spots! The students were able to call upon the advice of Jane and Sara McIntosh of Harry Gow Bakery, our then reigning Scottish Baker of the Year. The event marked the opening of customer voting for the “Customer Choice” awards. Shoppers vote for their favourite baker leading to the “Customer Choice” winner in each of the four business categories; Craft Baker, Retail Craft Baker, Wholesale Baker and Bakery Café.
SEE FOR YOURSELF
Watch the video from the launch by scanning the QR code.





ANNUAL REPORT & YEARBOOK 2021/2022 EVENTS & AWARDS
SCOTTISH BAKER OF THE YEAR PRODUCT JUDGING
SCOTTISH BAKER OF THE YEAR 2022/23 JUDGES PUT SCOTLAND’S BEST TO THE TASTE TEST.
Still being mindful of the spread of Covid – 19, Scotland’s bakers came out in socially distanced force in Dunfermline on 16 March 2022 to deliver their star products to be taste tested by 55 industry experts at the first Scottish Baker of the Year Judging Day since 2019. With nearly 500 products from 57 bakers for the judges to assess, in a morning and an afternoon session, to ensure social distancing was maintained, it was a busy day for the judges who were looking at the appearance, the quality of the bake and the taste of each and every product, under the watchful eye of our head judge Robert Ross. With awards on offer in 13 categories for the best scones, loaves, savoury items, morning rolls, individual cakes and biscuits as well as the latest categories including French and Sweet Yeast Raised pastries and Free-from bread, biscuits and cakes, the competition was very hot in the judge’s chamber.
Product award winners were then invited to the next stage of the competition, which was a written business submission and a video interview with our business judging panel, made up of senior representatives from our business award sponsors. What was evident from the video interviews was the passion and commitment from every one of the bakers, who had come through the most challenging of times of the pandemic.
SEE FOR YOURSELF
To watch the video of the product judging scan the QR code.





SCOTTISH BAKER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2022/23
ANNUAL REPORT & YEARBOOK 2021/2022 EVENTS & AWARDS
AFTER A RIGOROUS JUDGING PROCESS WHICH CONSIDERS THE PRODUCT AWARDS, THE WRITTEN SUBMISSION AND VIDEO INTERVIEW, THE THREE LITTLE BAKERS OF INVERNESS WERE CROWNED SCOTTISH BAKER OF THE YEAR AT THE END OF A FANTASTIC CONFERENCE AND AWARDS WEEKEND.
Taking the ultimate title, the bakery beat nearly 60 other bakers to be crowned Scottish Baker of the Year. Other big winners over the weekend were Bakery Café of the Year – Fisher & Donaldson, Retail Craft Bakery of the Year – Stephens Bakery and Wholesale Bakery of the Year – McGhee’s Bakery.







THE INDIVIDUAL BEST IN SCOTLAND GOLD AWARDS FOR PRODUCTS WENT TO:
Biscuit – Reids of Caithness (Caramel Filled Shortbread) Sourdough – Breadalbane Bakery & Pantry (White Sourdough) Yeasted Bread – Breadalbane Bakery & Pantry (Multigrain Low GI Bread) Celebration Cake – J M Bakery (Novelty Birthday Cake) Free From Cake & Biscuits – Cuckoo’s Bakery (Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcake NGCI) Individual Cake – Harry Gow Bakery (Vanilla & Raspberry Slice) Morning Roll – Bayne’s the Family Bakers (Morning Roll) Savoury – Goodfellow & Steven (Steak Pie) Scone – Mackenzie’s Bakery (Fruit Scone)
Special Gold Awards
Buttery – Goodfellow & Steven Potato Scone – John Gillespie & Sons Ltd Vienoisserie – Fisher & Donaldson (Strawberry Danish) Free From Bread – Tower Bakery (Farl)
SEE FOR YOURSELF
For a full list of winners scan the QR code.
ANNUAL REPORT & YEARBOOK 2021/2022 EVENTS & AWARDS
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
ONE THING THAT WAS CLEAR AFTER OUR CONFERENCE & AWARDS WEEKEND – IT HAD BEEN A MUCH MISSED DATE IN THE BAKERY INDUSTRY CALENDAR.
Many attendees commented on what a joy it had been for the Scottish Bakers family to be back together again to discuss the challenges that face each business and to celebrate. It was the first time we had been able to come together since 2019 and we were doing so in a new venue – The Glasgow Hilton. The weekend was jammed packed with our Exhibitor Showcase, BAKO Cake-Off, panel discussions, key speakers, entertainment, awards, music, dancing, a farewell to a popular President, Linda Hill, whose presidency has been impacted by the pandemic and the welcoming of a new President with the installation of Ian McGhee. The panel discussions were a new addition to the conference programme designed to encourage audience participation and questions. Our keynote speaker was Apprentice winner Carina Lepore who talked about her business journey, her experience on the Apprentice and working with Lord Sugar. Such a weekend would not be possible without the support of our Strategic Partner BAKO and our other industry sponsors and we thank them all for their continued support of the association and bakers across Scotland.



SEE FOR YOURSELF
Members can view all of the videos from the conference by scanning the QR Code. You will be required to sign into the website.
Our conference highlights video is available by scanning this QR code.


CENTENARY CLUB
ANNUAL REPORT & YEARBOOK 2021/2022 EVENTS & AWARDS
THE SCOTTISH BAKERS CENTENARY CLUB WAS ABLE TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC IN MAY OF 2022.
A joint sector lunch brought together retired members from across Scotland at the Huntingtower Hotel in Perth. It was the first opportunity for newly installed President, Ian McGhee to address Centenary Club members. He spoke of the challenges his bakery had faced in the early days of Covid and how the business had to adapt to comply with all of the emerging regulations. CEO, Alasdair Smith was also in attendance and was able to relay to the members how Scottish Bakers responded to the pandemic and how we kept members up to date on all the emerging developments at that time. Since then Sector 1 in Northern Scotland has been able to host a lunch for members in Aberdeen in October 2022, organised by Past President Clive Sangster. Regrettably, he and his wife were unable to attend themselves at late notice, but Ian and Maureen Brown took charge in their stead and a lovely lunch was had by all. The group were delighted to welcome Past President Bill McLaren to the event, who sadly passed away a short time after the lunch. The Scottish Bakers Centenary Club is open to retired members of the association. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for club events, please contact the team at Bakers House.
