The search for Britain’s Best Loaf 2023 is on
The 2023 search for Britain’s top loaf – hosted by our sister publication British Baker – is open for entries, with kudos, glory and multiple business benefits up for grabs.
Just ask Dan Booth, the baker behind last year’s overall champion, a Parmesan & Black Pepper Sourdough. According to British Baker, the win saw Darlington-based Bakerman hog the headlines of its local newspaper and magazines, and be featured on the radio and on BBC’s ‘Look North’ regional news segment – all of which caused an ‘insane’ surge of consumers flood through the doors of the not-for-profit community bakery.
Get your slice of fame
So, when British Baker claims that winning a Britain’s Best Loaf award is a fantastic way to promote your business and help it grow to new heights, they’re not exaggerating.
It’s also a great way to recognise and reward your team for their hard work and dedication.
This year's competition culminates in an exciting live judging event and glittering awards presentation on 25 April at the Farm Shop & Deli Show being held at the NEC Birmingham. Here, entries will go slice-to-slice against each other to find the top loaf in each category – scored on external appearance, internal structure, aroma and taste by a panel of industry expert.
The category winners will then go head-to-head to battle it out for the ultimate title.
Bake your best loaf
And talking of categories, a brand new one has been included this year. International is designed to seek out the best bread first conceived beyond Britain’s borders: think soda, focaccia, fougasse, baguettes and more. One caveat: the bakery that creates the entry must be located in Britain.
This year’s event – sponsored by ADM Milling, Bako Group, Brook Food & Bakery Equipment and Lesaffre UK & Ireland – comprises seven categories:
- Gluten free: A bread of any variety, but must be made with gluten-free flour and gluten-free yeast.
- Innovation: Using any bread processing technique, but applicants must provide written details of how the innovation developed, including processing and ingredient details.
- International: Celebrating bread first conceived outside Britain, but baked in Britain.
- Plain Sourdough: A loaf made 100% by fermentation using naturally occurring lactobacillus and wild yeasts. May contain only flour, salt and water.
- Flavoured Sourdough: Created as above, but my contain additional ingredients such as nuts, seeds, vegetables and honey.
- White
- Wholegrain
Entries must be submitted via British Baker’s dedicated Britain’s Best Loaf 2023 website before 20 March.
Bakeries can enter as many categories as they like, but there is a limit of five entries per category and costs £30 + VAT per product.
Why enter Britain’s Best Loaf 2023?
- Generate positive publicity locally and nationally
- Free use of winners’ and highly commended logos
- Meet and network with fellow bakers and suppliers
- Coverage in British Baker online
- Reward the loyalty, skills and hard work of your team
- Showcase your exceptional bread to a wide audience
- Gain an independent, nationally recognised ‘badge of honour’ for your business
