So the judges have finally completed their work and we can announce the finalists for the Baking Industry Awards (BIA) 2014.

Our panel of experts has visited bakeries and companies the length and breadth of the country as part of the stringent judging process. To book your ticket for BIA 2014, which takes place at the Park Lane Hilton London on Wednesday, 10 September, please visit: www.bakeryawards.co.uk.

And these are the lucky people/companies that will be competing on the night, at the baking industry’s most prestigious awards:

Baker of the Year:
• Mark Bennett, Patisserie Mark Bennett
• Cyril Denecheau, The Bread Factory
• Dominic Salter, The Sandwich Box Bakery

Bakery Manufacturer of the Year:
• Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery
• Rich Products
• The Village Bakery, Coedpoeth

Celebration Cake Business of the Year:
• Brown’s Handcrafted Cakes
• Shuga Budz
• Slattery

The Craft Business Award:
• Bettys Craft Bakery
• Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery
• Sally Clarke Bakery

The Customer Focus Award:
• JG Ross
• Pretty Witty Cakes
• The Bread Factory

Free-from Bakery Product of the Year:
• White Bread (gluten-, wheat-, dairy- and egg-free), Just: Gluten Free Bakery
• White Wrap (gluten- and wheat-free), Newburn Bakehouse by Warburtons
• Slow Cooked Steak and Mushroom Pie (gluten-free), No.G - Too Good To Be Gluten Free In-Store Bakery

In-Store Bakery Retailer of the Year:
• Morrisons
• Sainsbury’s
• Tesco

The Innovation Award:
• The Orange, Cinnamon Square
• Fruit and Vegetable Cupcakes, House of Cuckoo
• Sourdough Viennoiserie, More? The Artisan Bakery

Speciality Bread Product of the Year:
• Organic Chocolate Puffed Brioche, Daylesford Bakery
• Roasted Hazelnut & Raisin Sourdough Bread, Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery
• Pain Ancien Couronne, Paul UK

The Rising Star Award:
• Lucie Bennett, Fleur de Sel
• Hannah Conneely, National Bakery School
• Tom Thexton, Wild Thexton