Bakers Fair hits Bolton

 

Click HERE to see all the photos from the fair

More than 400 bakers and food to go retailers from all over the country travelled from as far afield as Devon to Bolton for Bakers’ Fair.

The one-day event brought together specialist bakery exhibitors, millers, ingredients manufacturers, machinery suppliers, wholesalers and drinks companies, attracting names such as Coca-Cola, Unifine Food & Bake, Aga Foodservice, Christian Salvesen, Norbake and Rank Hovis.

It was a great opportunity to gauge the latest innovations and services on the market. And the prestigious Richemont Club of Great Britain, which has a membership of top craft bakers and confectioners, hosted live competitions throughout the day. Some of the UK’s finest bakers and confectioners tested their skills across 19 categories, ranging from fresh creams to Christmas novelties. There were also newly introduced competition classes for young bakers.

Bakers’ Fair North West was the latest in a series of regional Bakers’ Fairs, organised by British Baker and sister title Bake & Take and sponsored by Norbake.

The Richemont Club at the Bakers' Fair

Chester-based P&A Davies was named best craft bakery chain, scooping the Richemont Club 2007 Trophy at the Club’s annual competition, held at Bakers’ Fair North West last weekend.

The six-shop chain beat off competition from Manchester-based Slattery’s Patissier & Chocolatier, in second place and Chatwins of Nantwich in third place, reigning supreme in competition classes including character biscuits and vegetarian products.

The Richemont competition, now in its fourth year, attracted a record 308 entries, which were judged live alongside the Fair, held at Bolton Arena. Richemont president Trevor Mooney said that the standard of entries had been outstanding this year, the fourth year of the competition, with new student classes attracting a high calibre of entries and the celebration cakes category proving exceptionally popular.

A live wedding cake decoration demonstration and competition took place while the judges deliberated, with Elaine Hamey and Lisa Smith from Peter Herd of Wilmslow winning top honours with a cappuccino-shaded creation. The Best in Show prize went to a multiseed loaf, baked by Martin Ormisher of Preston-based Glovers Bakery.