Bakery of the Year: Great Food Club Awards 2023/4
Winner
Chosen by our judges:
Harrison & Griffiths, Arnold, Nottinghamshire
Shortlist
The top public vote-winners:
Harrison & Griffiths, Arnold, Nottinghamshire
Olivia’s Bakery, Loughborough, Leicestershire
Pasticceria Lorena, Wilford, Nottinghamshire
Chloe Gourmet, Leicester
The winner is Harrison & Griffiths of Arnold, Nottinghamshire – a baker of extraordinarily good Caribbean cakes.
This family-run bakery boasts many years of combined baking experience and has won plenty of acclaim, even gracing the shelves of Harrods with their Caribbean Fruit Cake.
Their signature rum cakes are culinary marvels – moist, light and intoxicatingly delicious, encapsulating the essence of quality baking. Beyond these, they offer a range of custom-made special occasion cakes.
Their commitment to customer satisfaction is evident, not just in their exquisite cakes, but also in their impeccable service. Recently, they even clinched Aldi’s “Next Big Thing,” promising to supply at least 30,000 of their delectable cakes.
Harrison & Griffiths is a unique bakery. Try their cakes, and you’ll know they deserve every accolade coming their way.
The other finalists
Olivia’s Bakery, Loughborough, Leicestershire
Since its 2018 launch by Jose Diaz Hernandez, a seasoned pastry chef from Spain, Olivia’s has been delighting customers with artisan baked goods and top-notch coffee sourced from Monsoon Estates.
Named after a once-stray cat from Madrid, Olivia’s offers an array of treats, from delectable cinnamon buns to versatile pullman loaf sandwiches. They also cater to various dietary needs with gluten-free and vegan options.
Expanding their reach, Olivia’s now also brightens up Outwoods Country Park in Charnwood, offering treats to fuel your woodland adventures.
Pasticceria Lorena, Wilford, Nottinghamshire
Talented baker Lorena Moloney of Wilford, Nottingham, creates stunning celebration cakes and traditional Italian pastries, elevating them with Italian liqueurs and sumptuous creams, creating “small bites of heaven” that are both light and decadent.
With Italian roots and a love for Italian food, Lorena operates from her five-star hygiene-rated home kitchen, staying true to family recipes passed down through generations.
She also offers an exclusive Italian Pastry Club for regular pastry boxes. Using premium Italian ingredients, baking passion and creative flair, Pasticceria Lorena delivers an authentic Italian experience.
Chloe Gourmet, Leicester
Chloé Gourmet on Leicester’s Cank Street is a bakery and café and the brainchild of Assia Bettat, known professionally as Chloé.
She evolved from baking for friends to opening her own spot, featuring an open kitchen where scrumptious creations like almond croissants and Paris Brest choux buns are crafted.
Beyond pastries, their croque monsieur takes you on a mini French holiday with a single bite. The café’s ‘Royale’ is a luxurious blend of chocolate mousse, almond praline and a biscuity base that leaves visitors swooning.
A must-visit for authentic, high-quality French treats.
