J G Ross crowned Retail Baker of the Year!

J G Ross (Bakers) Ltd of Inverurie were on a roll at the weekend picking up 3 product awards and crowned Retail Baker of the Year, in the prestigious Scottish Baker of the Year Awards following a gala celebration in Glasgow.

In the morning roll category the company won best in region gold award for its softie as well

as a bronze award for its seeded softies and and national bronze award for its buttery.

The pinnacle of the evening was being crowned Retail Baker of the Year.

“We were absolutely delighted at winning these awards which reflect our commitment to staff development, emphasis on craft skills, investment in premium ingredients and continual reinvestment in our business” said Cameron Ross, Product Director (pictured). “Despite the economic challenges we have purchased additional larger shops in Mastrick and Banchory and completely refurbished them to offer a wider range of products. We have achieved growth by extending opening hours and making a range of our products available via online delivery partners.” added Graeme Ross Commercial Director.

J G Ross information

Commencing in 1962 the second generation family business is now based in Inverurie operating from a state of the art facility. JG Ross products are available throughout the North East of Scotland from its chain of 20 retail shops as well as numerous retailers such as Tesco, Asda, Home Bargains, Co-op, Scotmid, Spar, McColl’s and Green’s. The company employs 105 staff of which 18% have more than 10 years’ service. The company now handmakes a staggering185, 000 butteries per week.

Competition background

The competition is organised by Scottish Bakers, which supports and protects the interests of Scotland's bakery trade, and it was once again hotly contested with bakers each asked to put forward up to 12 of their star products to be taste tested by 50 industry experts.

“With 630 products from 70 bakers in the running, each and every one of which was assessed for appearance, the quality of the bake and taste” said Scottish Baker of the Year ambassador and star baker Mich Turner MBE “ J G Ross can be rightly proud of their win.”

“Each year our judges look for the best scones, loaves, savoury items, morning rolls, individual cakes and biscuits, as well as French and Danish style pastries and Free-from bread, biscuits and cakes,” said Scottish Bakers President Ian McGhee “and the competition was once again close run. It was great to see the best iconic Scottish bakes entered alongside some fantastic new innovation on show, a real celebration of our fantastic sector.”

Prizes were awarded not just for the best products on show but also for the best businesses with four business categories recognised: Craft Baker of the Year (three shops or less); Retail Craft Baker of the Year (four shops or more); Wholesale Baker of the Year (no shops) and Bakery Café of the Year for cafés who produce the bulk of their own baked goods either on-site or at a dedicated bakery unit.

“Each and every winner should be justifiably proud,” continued Ian “and we hope that for every well deserved prize there is a corresponding business boost. Well done again to you all.”