Genesis Crafty in line for major UK bakery award
Food NI member company Genesis Crafty is among over 30 companies shortlisted for the prestigious Bakery Industry Awards 2018.
The awards are scheduled to be announced at a gala occasion in London at the start of September.
Based at Magherafelt, county Derry, Genesis Crafty is the only Northern Ireland bakery among the 31 shortlisted in nine categories in the annual awards. Genesis, a family owned and managed bakery, is in the running for the coveted and hotly contested Craft Bakery of the Year 2018.
The awards showcase the quality and innovation from bakeries, both commercial, from across the United Kingdom.
Genesis, previously known as McErlain’s family bakery, is run by six McErlain brothers, all fully qualified bakers.
They took over the bakery from their parents, Joe and Roberta, who founded the small home bakery in 1968, and have seen it grow to be among the most successful independent bakeries in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
The bakery is now a major supplier of a wide range of bakery items including cakes, biscuits, scones and morning goods, and traditional Irish breads to leading supermarkets in the UK and Ireland.
The company, which works closely with major retailers on new product development, has won a string of UK Great Taste Awards and Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards.
Genesis was the first on the island of Ireland to set up a dedicated bakery academy to address the problem of a staff shortage especially among bakers.
The awards are organised by British Baker publication.
