The shortlisted finalists for this year’s Baking Industry Awards 2020, (BIA), the baking industry Oscars were announced yesterday (Wednesday 18^th November), and Northwest based artisan baker Aidan Monks, owner of the family-run Lovingly Artisan at Plumgarth’s, Kendal, and Lovingly Artisan, Altrincham Market, Manchester, discovered that two of his breads had been shortlisted in two separate award categories.

Aidan found out that his Danish Rugbrød has been shortlisted in the Bakery Innovation Award category and his Mrs Kirkham’s Cheese and Marmite Sourdough has been shortlisted in the Speciality Bread Product of the Year category.

Lovingly Artisan’s Danish Rugbrød is a traditional rye bread, full of texture and loaded with flavour. It was brought to UK shores by the Vikings in the 10th century, but it’s been on the tables of northern Europe for centuries before that. Rye is a whole grain crop high in fibre and very nutrient dense, which in turn makes it and as a result brim full of health benefits.

Lovingly Artisan’s Cheese and Marmite Sourdough is a taste sensation, the coming together of sourdough bread, farmhouse made cheese and not forgetting a little bit of Marmite. This bread came about as result of a unique collaboration between cheese maker Graham Kirkham, and baker Aidan Monks, born of their shared interest, knowledge and passion for fermented foods and their interest in the role these foods play in our overall health and well-being.

Now The Lovingly Artisan team alongside the other shortlisted finalists will all have to wait until the virtual awards ceremony, which is being held on Wednesday 20^th January 2021, to find out who wins across the 13 award categories.

Commenting on his two category shortlists Aidan said: ‘’It’s a real honour to be shortlisted alongside the other finalists in this year’s BIA’s. The annual BIA awards are the biggest event in the baking industry calendar and provide a magnificent stage to recognise the skills and achievements of the whole industry and it’s fabulous that we have been shortlisted in two award categories. This year more than ever it’s really important for the industry to come together and celebrate everything that has been achieved despite the situation in which we all find ourselves. Despite everything the pandemic has added impetus to Lovingly Artisan’s desire to place quality healthy breads using only the finest ingredients at the heart of the family table once more.’’