Derbyshire baker Luke Evans wins top award for loaf - at first attempt
Published On Tuesday 24 Apr 2018 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
Family firm Luke Evans Bakery in Derbyshire has tasted a slice of success after its granary loaf was awarded the title of Best Wholegrain Loaf in Britain at one of the UK’s biggest food and drink exhibitions.
It was the first time that the Riddings-based bakery had entered an award in living memory.
The 400g Country Grain granary loaf took top slot at the awards, staged at the Farm Shop & Deli Show at Birmingham’s NEC – part of a large exhibition of trade shows aimed at the food and drink sector.
Luke Evans operations director Helen Yates said: “It was the first time we have ever entered anything into an award, and to say we are delighted is a huge understatement.
“We are super excited and thrilled that the Luke Evans Country Grain granary loaf – which is one of our standard loaves that we sell to around 300 wholesaler and retail customers across Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Nottinghamshire, as well as in our Riddings shop – has taken the title of Best Wholegrain Loaf in Britain.
“All our breads and baked goods are made by a loyal and talented team at Luke Evans whom we are extremely proud of. Their continued dedication and commitment means that we provide the freshest bread to our customers. They are a young team but of course our pedigree, as family bakers, goes back to 1804. To celebrate our success, we have decided to run a special offer and voucher code in May, so that all our customers can celebrate with us.”
The awards, organised by British Baker magazine, attracted a record number of more than 200 entries over five categories – gluten free, innovation, sourdough, white and wholegrain. The wholegrain category was open to bread made from a combination of grains such as barley, wholewheat, malted wheat, spelt or oats.
A panel of expert judges including winners from the 2017 Baking Industry Awards, the editor of British Baker magazine Vince Bamford, and Mike Holling, who is head of retail at Birds Baker and executive director of the Craft Bakers’ Association, blind tasted the loaves.
Luke Evans, which employs 50 people at its headquarters in Greenhill Lane, Riddings, was founded in 1804 by Henry Evans, who named it after his brother Luke. It has been passed down seven generations and is still in the same family over 200 years later – making it one of the oldest family run bakeries in the country. It operates 24 hours a day, producing high quality bread and baked products ranging from farmhouse loaves and bread rolls to fresh cream éclairs and iced buns.
The Luke Evans Country Grain granary loaf is made using flour from sixth generation miller Nelstrops, based at Stockport in Cheshire, and to a recipe that has been used by Luke Evans bakers for generations.
“This award is very much the result of a team effort,” added Helen.
For more information, visit www.lukeevansbakery.co.uk
| Restaurant revamp brings taste of Spanish sunshine to Mercia Marina A six-figure investment is set to take a much-loved bar and restaurant at Mercia Marina to new heights at one of the Midlands’ most popular tourist and beauty spots. Read The Article | |
| The Peacock At Owler Bar Near Sheffield, To Be Refurbished & Reopened By Longbow Before Christmas Longbow Venues, owned by Peak District hospitality entrepreneur, Rob Hattersley, will be taking on The Peacock at Owler Bar Read The Article | |
| Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire wins two accolades in the Great British Food Awards The farm shop near Duffield scooped a silver medal for its dirty brisket burger in the burgers category and a bronze medal for its lamb and mint Read The Article | |
| Visitors flock to Derby's Cathedral Quarter Hotel after new owners take over New management at one of Derby’s major hotels has revealed that business is “extremely good” since they bought it in May. Read The Article | |
| All we want for Christmas ... is a curry Diners in Derbyshire are planning on swapping their Christmas turkey for chicken tikka this festive season after a recently refurbished Indian restaurant revealed it is almost fully booked. Read The Article | |
| Derby's newest Indian restaurant thanks the city after a thousand diners flock to try it out Management at Derby's newest Indian restaurant say more than a thousand diners have visited since it opened. Johns Geo and his friends Read The Article | |
| Why this gin-ius metal bottle captures the spirit of upstart Guerrilla Chicken An upstart Derby distiller which sells its vodka and gin in distinctive eco-friendly reusable metal bottles has picked up a host of awards at two prestigious spirit Read The Article | |
| Piccalilli Opens Its Doors in Nottingham A New Neighbourhood Dining Spot Celebrating the Best of British Flavours. Dan Coles, celebrated chef and Nottingham local, has opened the doors to his first solo venture Read The Article | |
| Best Santa In The Peak District Is Flying Back For Afternoon Tea The Maynard and The George Hathersage, both owned by independent hospitality group, Longbow Bars & Restaurants, have announced that Father Christmas will Read The Article | |
| Restaurant At 1650 Set To Relaunch With New Head Chef And 7-Course Tasting Menu Ye Olde Bell's Restaurant 1650 is set to relaunch this October with new Executive Chef, Terry Phillips at the helm. Terry joins the award Read The Article | |