Scottish Bakers has unveiled the shortlist for the 2026 Scottish Baker of the Year Awards, with bakeries from across the country competing for the industry’s most prestigious title.
The competition has already attracted national attention following its launch earlier this year, when bakers took on the challenge of creating the world’s largest empire biscuit. Highland bakery Harry Gow set the unofficial world record with an impressive 78-inch creation.
The competition has now reached the judging stage, with 500 products from over 60 bakeries across Scotland arriving at Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline for the official judging day.
More than 50 industry experts and media personalities came together to assess entries across 11 categories: Biscuits, Bread, Sweet Treats, Scone, Morning Roll, Morning Goods, Doughnuts, Celebration Cakes, Better For You/Free From, Multiple Retailer Product and Innovation.
To compete for the overall title of Scottish Baker of the Year, bakeries must also enter The Baker’s Den – the business focused stage of the awards. From this, judges will choose one winner of Scottish Baker Local Hero of the Year and one winner of Scottish Baker Icon of the Year, before selecting the overall Scottish Baker of the Year from those two finalists.
As the trade association representing Scotland’s bakery sector, Scottish Bakers has introduced a refreshed format for 2026. The new structure is designed to shine a spotlight on the industry’s Local Heroes and Icons, celebrating the breadth of talent across the country and the qualities that make Scottish baking unique. This year will also see a new look awards ceremony, with the full event taking place across one action packed day.
Lesley Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers, said:
“We are delighted to return this year with a brand new format for Scottish Baker of the Year. We want to celebrate what makes each bakery across Scotland special, while recognising the two key groups helping the industry thrive, our Local Heroes and Icons.
With fairer, stronger judging, the competition will be more consistent and transparent than ever before, and we look forward to giving entrants valuable feedback to support growth across the industry.
We have already shown our ambition to go bigger and better in 2026 with our unofficial world record for the largest empire biscuit at the competition launch in January. That same ambition was clear again today in the outstanding range of products judged by our expert panel.”
The overall winner of Scottish Baker of the Year, along with all Best in Category winners, will be announced at the awards on 16 May 2026 at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel.
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Since 2012, Scottish Baker of the Year has celebrated skill and excellence in Scottish baking, creating opportunities for bakeries of all sizes to showcase and strengthen their work.
Scottish Baker of the Year is made possible with the support of Awards Partner BAKO Group, Icon Sponsor Rondo, Local Heroes Sponsor Carr’s Flour, and valued category sponsors Dawn Foods, National Food & Drink Training, Fleming Howden, Reiser, Andrew Ingredients, DMD (2000) Ltd and Puratos.
For more information, visit bakeroftheyear.scot.
