A BAKERY has achieved a prestigious industry accolade for one its handmade loaves.

Seasons Bakery in Ingleton earned the Baking Industry Awards 2020’s ‘Innovation of the Year’ for its unique Sourdough Toastie Loaf during an online ceremony hosted by TV and radio star Alexander Armstrong.

Seasons were also runners up in the Baker of the Year and Bakery Manufacturer of the Year categories.

Bakery owner Dan Nemeth said he and his staff were overjoyed.

“The award is a great reflection on the devotion of the bakery staff, who have worked above and beyond the call of duty over the last year, not only on this but also on a great number of projects due to the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

“They’re more like an extended family than employees.

“They are all passionate about what they do.”

The awards’ innovation category celebrates innovative, marketable products that present something new.

Judges said Seasons’ loaf met, “the criteria of sourdough in a convenient, practical format, as well as an easier, more versatile sandwich shape that didn’t lose any of the great flavours.”

WINNER: Seasons winning Sourdough Toastie Loaf

WINNER: Seasons' winning Sourdough Toastie Loaf

Reacting to the judges’ comments Mr Nemeth said: “The judges’ comments were amazing – one of them described the Toastie Loaf as the best bread he had ever tasted and now has it delivered regularly through our online shop.”

Mr Nemeth established Seasons in Kirkby Lonsdale in 2007 and uses many recipes that were passed down to him from his grandmother.

As it grew, Seasons moved to Ingleton’s iCentre, where it now produces more than 10,000 award-winning sourdough loaves every week, along with up to 4,000 croissants, and a wide range of pies, pasties, and cakes for trade clients and for sale in the bakery’s shops.

The business sells around 200 of the winning Sourdough Toastie Loaves every week to 14 trade customers, and through its shops in Ingleton, Denton, and Greater Manchester.

Despite the volume of sales, the bakery continues to make all its artisan breads by hand.

Mr Nemeth added: “Since being nominated, we have seen a massive increase in online sales to individual customers and now ship out an additional 100 or more toastie loaves a week that way.”