Aberdeen bakery crowned Scottish Baker of the Year

The Bread Guy took home the top prize.

By Chris Cromar

May 12 2024, 10:20 am

Gary McAllister (centre), wife Gemma (left) and co-founder Donna (right) celebrating their win: Image: Scottish Bakers.

An Aberdeen bakery has been crowned Scottish Baker of the Year.

The Bread Guy fought off 60 bakeries across the country to win the top prize at the Scottish Baker of the Year award ceremony in Glasgow last night.

They also won Best in Scotland gold for their gluten-free pan loaf plus regional silver for their buttery, ‘blue murder’ sourdough, smoked Scottish seaweed focaccia and lasagne pie and regional bronze for their soft roll.

Gary McAllister outside the Bread Guy Bakery. — The Bread Guy was founded in 2019. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson.

Reacting to their victory, The Bread Guy posted online: “What an amazing night. We are all still in shock.

“Thank you to all our amazing team, customers and supporters.”

They also added in a statement: “We are absolutely thrilled with our award.

“It’s one thing to have confidence in our products, but to have that validation from both customers and industry experts is truly the icing on the cake.”

The Bread Guy has four Aberdeen bakeries at Great Northern Road, Hazlehead, Thistle Street and Torry plus one in Inverurie.

Bread Guy Bakery in Torry. — The Bread Guy has five shops across the north-east, including in Torry. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson.

It was founded in 2019 by former Westhill Academy pupil brother and sister Gary and Donna McAllister.

The Bread Guy states that their goal is to “make your taste buds happy” and now employs 55 people and has an annual turnover of £1.5 million.

According to the company, they “work with local suppliers to source the freshest and most authentic ingredients and use traditional bakery techniques to ensure the highest quality”.

They were previously shortlisted for Scottish Baker of the Year last year and in their debut year made it to the final for Wholesale Baker of the Year, and won a regional bronze in the Morning Roll category.

The Bread Guy wins top prize at Scottish Baker of the Year

The awards – which started in 2012 – are organised by trade body Scottish Bakers, whose aim is “representing and promoting the interests of the bakery trade in Scotland”.

More than 60 industry experts taste-tested 580 bakes at the Scottish Baker of the Year Judging Day in Dunfermline before deciding on their winner.

Michelle Phillips, the newly installed President of Scottish Bakers, said: “All winners should feel incredibly proud of their achievements.

“We anticipate that these well-deserved accolades will not only honour their hard work but also contribute significantly to their business growth.

“Congratulations to all our deserving winners.”

Here’s the full list of 2024/2025 winners from the north and north-east:

Harry Gow Bakery – Chocolate Caramel Biscuit (Gold – Best in Scotland & Gold – Best in Region), Malted Bloomer (Gold – Best in Scotland), Sourdough (Gold – Best in Scotland), Blue Murder Sourdough (Regional Silver), Strawberry Tart (Regional Silver), Scottish Roll (Regional Bronze), Celebration Cake (National Bronze Award)
Mackenzie’s Bakery – Lemon Cake (Regional Bronze), Cheese Scone (National Silver Award and Gold – Best in Region), Cherry Coconut Scone (Regional Silver)
Maclean’s Highland Bakery – Lemon Zest Shortbread (Regional Bronze), GI Wastle (Gold – Best in Region), Carrot Cake (Gold – Best in Region), Chicken and Haggis Pie (Regional Bronze)
Rendall’s Bakery Ltd – All Butter Shortbread (Regional Silver)
Stag Bakeries Ltd. – Wholesale Baker
The Bread Guy – Smoked Scottish Seaweed Focaccia (Regional Silver), Soft Roll (Regional Bronze), Buttery (National Silver Award), Lasagne Pie (Regional Silver), Gluten Free Pan Loaf (Gold – Best in Scotland)
The Three Little Bakers Ltd – Malted Bloomer (Regional Bronze), White Sour Bloomer (Regional Bronze), Well Fired Roll (Gold – Best in Region), Morning Roll (Regional Silver), Fruit Scone (Regional Bronze)