Bakery back in spotlight

Christie’s in finals

JB Christie has bounced back from a difficult 2017 by being nominated for the top prize at the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards.

The Airdrie bakery voluntarily closed its doors last April following a Hepatitis A outbreak that saw the business linked to a number of people being hospitalised.

However, 12 months on from the troubling incident, JB Christie is now in line to be crowned the country’s finest bakers.

Owner Andrew Chisholm said: “We are delighted to have made it to the shortlist of the Scottish Baker of the Year competition this year.

“It’s great to know that the professional judges liked our products as much as the customers who voted for us do.

“We can’t wait to hear the final results next month.”

Competition judges took delivery of “850 of the nation’s best products” and the tasty treats were scored on appearance, freshness and taste by a panel of 50 industry experts.

The entries were then whittled down to the “best of the best”, with JB Christie set to join the other nominees for a glittering gala dinner at Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza on May 5.

Awards on the night will include the naming of the best morning roll, scone, individual cake, savoury, biscuit, bread and also the best celebration cake in Scotland.

Scottish Bakers will also announce who takes the best Bakery Café, Craft Baker, Retail Craft Baker, Wholesale Baker and the overall Scottish Baker of Year 2018 crown.