STEPHENS Bakery had a taste of success at the Scottish Baker of the Year competition which took place at the weekend.

The Dunfermline firm picked up a regional gold award for its harvest roll in the morning roll category where it also collected a regional bronze for its well fired roll.

It also received a regional bronze in the savoury category for its popular sausage rolls.

André Sarafilovic, Stephens Bakery's Managing Director, was delighted with the recognition.

"We have our customers to thank as it was their votes that got us here!" he said. "Taking home such a prestigious prize is a huge honour and we cannot wait to share the news with our staff and customers alike.”

Following the votes of over 8,000 bakery customers across Scotland and a rigorous day of blind judging by 50 of the industry’s top professionals, the winners were finally announced on Saturday at a glittering awards dinner at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow.

Head judge Robert Ross said: "This competition is hugely popular, with thousands of everyday bakery shoppers voting for their favourite products.

“We received over 30,000 individual product votes for goods baked by the best bakers in Scotland. Stephens Bakery can be very proud to take home a prize in such a competitive field of brilliant products.”

The Scottish Baker of the Year Competition, now in its 8th year, recognises Scotland’s best pies, scones, loaves, savoury items, morning rolls, cakes and biscuits. Business awards are also given to the best Café Bakery, Craft Bakery, Retail Bakery and Wholesale Bakery with one lucky baker being crowned Scottish Baker of the Year.

Alasdair Smith of Scottish Bakers, who organise the competition, added: “We are delighted to once again be giving Scottish bakers the chance to shine and showcase their fantastic products and it has given us great delight to present awards to each and every worthy winner.”