A bread made by a Bristol bakery has been named Britain’s Best Loaf 2021 in a national competition.
The prune and cardamon sourdough from Joe’s Bakery on Gloucester Road beat off competition from bakeries across the UK to scoop the prestigious title in the awards organised by British Baker magazine.
To win the Best Loaf title, the Bishopston-baked bread competed with loaves across six categories.
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The seasonal loaf secured the top spot in the ‘Sourdough with Other Ingredients’ category before continuing to become the ultimate champion.
The prune and cardamon sourdough loaf was praised by the judges for the technical expertise demonstrated, delightful texture and moreish flavour.
“The competition was tough this year but we have found a deserving winner of the Britain’s Best Loaf 2021 title in the Prune & Cardamom Sourdough from Joe’s Bakery,” said British Baker editor Amy North.
Based on the bakery’s brown sourdough loaf, it contains whole rum-soaked prunes and ground cardamom.
The judges praised the ‘perfect’ bake for its ‘beautiful balance of flavours’ and highlighted the fact the proving was spot on.
One judge said: “It was the bread I could imagine sitting down and eating with my family at Christmas.”
Joe’s Bakery owner Martin Hunt, 66, has entered the competition several times over the years with some success with category winners and highly recommended, but he says winning the main award is very special.
“It takes quite a lot to get me excited but I really was when I heard the news,” said Martin, who this week celebrates his 35th year as a baker.
“I was away for a couple of days fishing when the news was announced and we were out with friends when I heard. The place where we were eating didn’t have Champagne so we had a glass of prosecco instead!”
Joe’s Bakery on Gloucester Road
(Image: Joe’s Bakery)
The winning prune and cardamom loaf has been sold at Joe’s Bakery on and off for a few years and although it’s a seasonal item, Martin says he may now make it available earlier than its traditional Christmas slot.
“Now that it’s a winner, we might start selling it again in the autumn when the cooler weather comes and we may even make it on occasional Saturdays.”
Martin says it took a few attempts to get the right amount of cardamom flavour into the bread without it being too overpowering.
“I’ve had 50 years in the food trade and I like to think I have a good judgement on flavour and intensity.
“The judges made a special point that it wasn’t easy to get cardamom right so I think that’s what swung it in the end.”
As well as winning the main prize, Joe’s Bakery also got a highly commended for its standard mild white sourdough and was a category winner for the plain white ‘City’ loaf.
The winning loaf from Joe’s Bakery
(Image: Joe’s Bakery)
Joe’s Bakery opened on its current site near Horfield Prison in 1970 although there has been a bakery there since the Victorian times. Joe’s Bakery also took over the former Breadstore site further down Gloucester Road in 2018.
Martin said the winning breads were very much a team effort and he praised the efforts of his 35 staff, which includes ten bakers.
He also thanked managers Wayne Thick and Jenny Rogers who will soon be taking over the bakery and shop as Martin gradually steps back from the daily running of the business in the coming months.
“I’ve been working six or seven days a week for 50 years and although I still love it, some of my team say I’m a bit slower these days so I’ll spend a bit more time fishing and on my allotment,” he joked.
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