Real Bread Week review

The Real Bread Campaign's 17^th annual, international celebration of Real Bread and people behind its rise once again saw people buying, baking and boosting across the globe. Thank you again to everyone who got involved.

Sadly, a combination of reduced staff time and availability of free social media tracking tools means we were unable to do our usual count of how many Real Bread Week posts from how many countries there were.

Fermenting fun in Fife

Amongst the highlights was the Scottish Festival of Real Bread. This huge gathering, founded by Andrew Whitley of Scotland The Bread and Wendy Barrie of The Scottish Food Guide, welcomed Real Bread aficionados from around Scotland and beyond for a day of familiy fun.

During the event, the Scottish Bread Championship awards were announced and presented by Pat Jones, Deacon of the Incorporation of Baxters and trustee of The Edinburgh Bakers Trust. From 265 entries, a sourdough miche, baked by Courie Courie Bakery in Aboyne was chosen as Supreme Champion; with a classic sourdough, made by Alastair Begg from Kilbarchan, selected as the Reserve Champion. The full list of awards can be found on The Edinburgh Bakers Trust website.

The judges were:

John Castley of Wild Hearth Bakery
Anna Chworow of Nourish
Erik Crnkovich, PhD student in Anthropology
Neil Forbes, Chef Director Café St Honore
Sinéad Fortune of Gala Foundation
Lynne Halfpenny, Incorporation of Baxters
Morag Hamilton, SAC
Morven Hastie, cookery presenter & former restaurateur
Tom Johnston, food journalist
Pat Jones, Deacon of the Incorporation of Baxters
Walter Mowat, Slow Food Scotland Board Member
Wendy Russell of the Rowett Institute
Iain Waghorn, STB Board Member
Chris Young of the Real Bread Campaign

Online action

At another end of the UK, members of the Southwest Grain Network were invited to takeover the group's Instagram account. Leola, St. Sidwells, Ampney Brook Farm, Heyl Bakery, Rye Bakery, Fresh Flour and Fika Bakery each logged in for a day to say hello to the world and let them know a bit about what they get up to.

Of the many other people helping to spread the word about Real Bread Week, the Campaign and Real Bread more generally, honourable mention (and thanks) goes to Aidan Monks, Catherine Connor and co. at Lovingly Artisan for their frequent posts.

Real Bread is for life not just Real Bread Week

The week was chosen for the launch of Baking a Better Tomorrow, and it's great to see stockists and readers still posting photos of themselves with the magazine.

We look forward to letting you know the Government's response to our proposal for improved standards for bread in schools.

The limited edition 'Real Bread for YOU not UPF' t-shirts, apron and mug will be available until 31 March 2026.

Real Bread Week will return in 2027, before which we have this year's Sourdough September - please put it in your diary and sign up to our free mailing list for details of both, and everything else we get up to.

See also

Get (more) involved!