This category gives British Baker readers the chance to recognise an outstanding individual – one who has made, or is still making, a special contribution to the baking industry. We want you to nominate someone who has gone beyond the boundaries of their paid salary or ownership, encouraged or supported others within the bakery sector and sometimes outside it too.

This category is open to any bakery business that sells its goods via a direct-to-consumer website; however, this does not have to be the only route to market for the firm. The business must have been operational for more than 12 months. Judges of this category will consider the website design and ease of use, sales and marketing operations, business strategy and customer service. They will also assess the ordering process, the use of packaging and the quality of baked goods upon delivery. Entrants must be able to deliver nationwide as goods will be ordered as part of the judging process.

This category is open to businesses of all sizes ranging from large manufacturers to major retailers, craft bakeries, wholesale businesses and more. Judges will be looking for innovative, marketable products that they have never seen before. Entries may be brand new, or a twist on the flavour or format of an existing product and must be scalable in production and cost to potentially supply major retailers, wholesalers or foodservice establishments. Each entrant can submit up to three different products for this category but cannot submit that product into any other product categories. Products should be available for retail in-store or online on the 7 November 2023 and must been new to market from 1st May 2022 to 30th April 2023.

This category is open to the very best bakers in the UK and is a great opportunity for individuals to show how they are adapting to market trends. The award is aimed at professional bakers working in any size of bakery business, however they must have a professional premises and not be based at home. Judges look not just for practical skills and product innovation but also an understanding of the candidates’ baking ambitions and achievements. The individual must be baking hands on at least one day a week and involved in the development of new products. As part of this the baker must demonstrate how their actions impact positively on the business.

Shortlisted entrants should expect a site visit.

This category is aimed at celebration cake registered businesses – focusing on independent cake creators. Judges will be looking for cake artistry, awareness of current trends, customer service, marketing initiatives, and for entrants to show why the business is successful and progressive. Shortlisted entrants will be tasked with creating a cake with a specific theme and including set criteria. This cake counts towards the total score given to the business.

This category is open to businesses of all sizes ranging from manufacturers to major retailers, wholesalers, or foodservice and craft bakeries as well as their suppliers. There are many sustainability angles to explore including reduction of waste and carbon footprint, innovative new uses for by-products, changes in logistics to improve vehicle efficiency, the use of green electricity and more. Judges will be looking at the goals of the initiative and the actions put in place to achieve them, including changes in operations, staff buy-in and training, how it was communicated to customers and partnerships that may have been created to achieve the results. The project can be ongoing but must show results so far. Entrants will be asked to provide measurable results to demonstrate this.

This category will look for bakery businesses that offer excellent customer experience. Judges will be looking for companies that are going the extra mile when it comes to customer service and in-store experience. Welcoming and knowledgeable staff play a key part in this, but the judges are also keen to hear about any initiatives that have improved and/or streamlined the customer experience such as an innovative use of technology, store layout and more. This category is open to businesses of any size but, as there is a mystery shop as part of the judging process, they must have at least one shop or café that can be visited by the judges.

This category is open to professional bakeries of all sizes ranging from large manufacturers to major retailers, craft bakeries, wholesale businesses and more. The entrant’s product must be developed to meet a specific dietary requirement such as vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free or nut-free. Judges will especially look at ingredient selection used to overcome the challenge of removing ingredients typically found in these items. Original, creative, recipe formulation will be high on the agenda as well as great taste, texture, and visual appeal. Any free-from bakery product can be entered such as pies, pastries, artisan bakes, cakes and gluten-free breads. The entrant’s application must demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the end consumer, the category and a desire to advance it. Each entrant can submit up to three different products for this category but cannot submit that product into any other product categories. Products should be available for retail in-store or online on the 7 November 2023.

This category is open to businesses of all sizes ranging from manufacturers to major retailers, wholesalers or foodservice and craft bakeries. Judges will be looking for breads that are original, look and taste great, and have been a hit with consumers. Entries can include artisanal breads, continental breads, sourdough, seeded or fruited breads, breads with grains, internationally inspired breads, soda breads, tea breads or novel crusty breads. Bakers should also be able to demonstrate impressive business skills, such as using market research, excellent customer service and clever marketing. Each entrant can submit up to three different products for this category but cannot submit that product into any other product categories. Product should be available for retail on the 7 November 2023.

This category is open to multiple retail operators with a minimum estate of 10 sites that sell baked goods produced through an instore bakery, supplied to the retailer part-baked or frozen, and/or produced at a dedicated manufacturing site supplying the shop estate. Judges will be looking at the retailer’s approach to the bakery category including the retail bakery environment, the customer experience, how baked goods are merchandised and how the baked goods range has developed. Entrants will also be asked to demonstrate staff training principals, how product freshness is balanced with availability and bakery product innovation.

Shortlisted businesses should expect an online interview and mystery shops.

This category is open to businesses of all sizes ranging from large manufacturers to major retailers, craft bakeries, wholesale businesses, equipment, and ingredient suppliers and more. Judges will be looking for employers that, in the past year, have done the most to create a positive working environment, motivating, redirecting, and training its people, while improving the company’s reputation and performance in the process.

This category is open to businesses with a standalone factory with an automated production line. Judges will be looking for businesses that are ambitious, growing and striving to be the best in their sector. Whether they supply breads, pies, pizzas, pastries, ethnic baked products, biscuits, cakes or other baked goods, entrants must show they are driving growth and delivering quality products to high standards on a large scale. The business should also demonstrate that they care about service and investment in people and take a responsible attitude to the environment.

This category is open to craft bakery businesses, not an individual baker. Entries are welcome from all types of craft business, whether they operate a single retail shop, multiple high street outlets or a wholesale craft bakery. The business should produce artisan/ craft/ handmade/ hand finished and bespoke items for its customers. Judges will be looking for new products, customer awareness, local marketing initiatives/ promotions, safety, well-trained staff and for entrants to show why the business is sound, successful and progressive.

This category is open to all ages, but is aimed at those in work, training or bakery college who can demonstrate their achievements over the past three years since entering college or the baking industry. Entrants may be from any part of the baking industry, including a college, craft bakery, supermarket, plant bakery, ingredient, or equipment companies. Judges are looking for a person who will contribute to shaping the future of the baking industry. If you believe you, or someone you teach or employ, is that person, enter now.