BakeryAndSnacks Podcast William Reed Business Media

After five years in the hot seat, Alasdair Smith has gained unique insight into what he considers ‘an incredibly noble and proud trade and one that’s got an amazing sense of fellowship’. Before he takes his final bow at the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards and Annual Conference (5-6 May), Bakery&Snacks caught up with Smith to find out what changes he has seen during his tenure and how he views the sector’s future.

Partners in Food Solutions (PFS) coordinates the support of seven major industry leaders – General Mills, Cargill, DSM, Ardent Mills, Bühler, JM Smucker Co and The Hershey Company – to help African processing companies enhance the nutritional value of foods.

Kristy Lewis founded Quinn with a mission to challenge the status quo within our food system. Since founding in 2010, Quinn has built a reputation as a trailblazer in advocating climate-friendly agriculture practices. Founder Kristy Lewis believes we all have a fiduciary responsibility to the planet and Earth Day (22 April) is a wonderful reminder of that.

Since kick-off in 2019, PeaTos has experienced explosive growth and received widespread acclaim thanks to its innovative approach to snacks – adding better-for-you nutrition to popular offerings – and marketing – debunking the junk and challenging the dominance of one player.

Kudos, glory and multiple business benefits are again up for grabs in British Baker’s search for this year's loaf that will stand out above all others.

We’re in the midst of the deadliest bird flu outbreak in US history, with the knock-on effect of squeezing egg supply. Combined with high commodity feed prices and labour shortages, eggs have surged in price – not a happy situation for either the consumer or the professional baker.