A Suffolk baker has been crowned the best in the business at the industry’s equivalent to the Oscars.
David Wright has helped amass a collection of accolades for his family business in Woodbridge over recent years – and has now been recognised independently as Britain’s Baker of the Year.
Mr Wright took over the Cake Shop Bakery from his father, Peter, in 2013. Less than a year later, the shop won Britain’s Best Bakery on ITV – and was then named best family business and best independent retailer at the Suffolk Food and Drink Awards in 2015.
Picking up his latest honour at the Baking Industry Awards 2017, Mr Wright said: “Bakery is hard work, but what feels right is the millennia-old connection between field and turning grain into something we can eat.
“I enjoy its simplicity; basic ingredients turned into tasty breads and delicious treats – it’s alchemy.”
Mr Wright is the third generation of bakers in a family that moved into 21 The Thoroughfare in 1946.
Taking over from his father – who stepped into the same role previously occupied by his own father, Jonathan, in 1970 – Mr Wright used his King’s College training in set design to refurbish the shop, which he runs with his four sisters, and open the Fire Station café next door.
Earlier this year, the Cake Shop Bakery opened a new facility at Bentwaters Business Park, enabling a 20% increase in production to keep pace with demand from local hotels, restaurants and retailers.
Mr Wright’s achievements were recognised in front of more than 700 guests at London’s Park Lane Hilton during a Wild West themed gala awards ceremony.
He was presented with the award by Denise van Outen and Ann Wells, group marketing director of award sponsor, Brook Food Processing Equipment.
The competition is run by British Baker magazine and organised by William Reed Business Media.
Prizes are awarded across 11 categories, including speciality bread product, celebration cake business and bakery manufacturer of the year.
Vince Bamford, editor of British Baker, said: “The Baking Industry Awards highlight the passion, creativity and care that shapes Britain’s fantastic baking industry.”
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