Harry Gow named customers’ favourite bakery – and maker of the finest cake in Scotland
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A Highland bakery has been praised by fellow bakers and the cake-loving public, winning big at the 2022 Scottish Baker of the Year Awards.
Harry Gow is celebrating after its vanilla and raspberry slice – better known to fans as the ‘birthday cake slice’ – was named the Best Individual Cake in Scotland at a glittering award ceremony in Glasgow.
The family-run bakery also scooped the Customer Choice award in the Retail Craft Baker category, cementing the firm’s position as the nation’s favourite bakery chain.
Fraser Gow, director of Harry Gow, said: “Our family has been baking in the Highlands for six generations, so to win the customer choice award at the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards – receiving votes from the customers and communities we share a laugh with in our shops every day – is truly special.
“Our vanilla and raspberry slice has been a firm favourite ever since we introduced it at the beginning of the century, so to have it named as the best cake in the country is a testament to the consistent work of the bakers in our Smithton bakery.
“We couldn’t have won either of these awards without the hard work of our team, both in our bakery and in our shops across the Highlands and Moray. They are the people that make Harry Gow what it is today.”
Harry Gow’s full award haul included:
Individual Cake – Vanilla & Raspberry Slice – Best in Scotland Gold Award, Best in Region Gold Award
Customer Choice: Retail Craft Baker – Winner
Viennoiserie – Croissant – National Silver Award
Celebration Cake – SBOTY Cake – National Bronze Award
Bread (Sourdough) – Sourdough Loaf – Regional Silver Award
Biscuit – Empire Biscuit – Regional Bronze Award
With Scottish Bakers members out in force for the 10th annual awards ceremony in Glasgow, Harry Gow was presented its prize by Scottish Bakers’ ambassador Mich Turner MBE, who said: “With nearly 500 products from 57 bakers entered, and with each product assessed for appearance, the quality of the bake and taste, Harry Gow should be very proud of their success here today.”
The Scottish Baker of the Year competition sets out to select the best scones, loaves, savoury items, morning rolls, individual cakes and biscuits as well as the latest categories: French and Danish style pastries and free-from bread, biscuits and cakes.
“With 50 industry professionals on hand during our annual judging day to put each product through its paces, our winners can be justifiably proud of their achievements,” said Alasdair Smith of Scottish Bakers, which organises the competition.
“We really do congratulate all of our winners and we thank the voting public for taking the time to vote for their favourite bakery business.”
Harry Gow is a popular bakery with 17 shops spread across Inverness, the Highlands and Moray. It was crowned the first Scottish Baker of the Year in 2012, and to date is the only bakery to have scooped the top award twice – winning again in 2019. To find your nearest shop and to check the latest opening times, visit www.harrygow.co.uk or follow the bakery on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @harrygowbakery.
