Bakeries of the Year: Great Food Club Awards 2020
Winners
Small Food Bakery, Nottingham – Sourdough Producer of the Year
Hambleton Bakery, Exton, Rutland – Cake Baker of the Year
Finalists
Bisbrooke Artisans, Bisbrooke, Rutland
Bakery Cottage, Melton Mowbray, Rutland
The winners are Small Food Bakery of Nottingham for its sourdough, and Hambleton Bakery of Rutland for its cakes.
This category was judged via a blind tasting, with experienced baker and chef Chris Ansell (executive chef at The Olive Branch) supplying his expert opinion.
Sourdough
After all the scores were added together, the clear winner in the Sourdough Category was Notttingham’s Small Food Bakery. Founded by Kimberley Bell, Small Food Bakery is a former Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards ‘Best Food Producer’.
Their winning Radford Wild loaf is naturally leavened sourdough made with UK-grown wheat from Gilchesters Organics, sea salt and water. Its robust flavour and aroma, moist, springy texture, and even crumb won the day.
The contest was close. All loaves supplied by the four finalists were of excellent quality. Congratulations to all.
Cake
In the cake blind-tasting, Hambleton Bakery’s chocolate & hazelnut brownie triumphed, for its truffle-like richness and intense flavour. Special mention to Bakery Cottage, whose brownie, with its melt-in-the-middle consistency, came close.
Pictures from the blind-tasting
