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Owner of The Friendly Loaf Bakery in Nowton, near Bury St Edmunds, celebrates win at Food Awards England 2023




The owner of a Suffolk bakery named best in the country has spoken of a recent victory at a prestigious award show.

The Friendly Loaf Bakery in Nowton, near Bury St Edmunds, was crowned Artisan Bakery of The Year at The Food Awards England 2023 on Monday, October 9.

Owner Mark Proctor launched the bakery in 2010 after working in kitchens in London, Australia and as a pastry chef at Clarice House for 10 years.

Owner Mark Proctor with his team at The Friendly Loaf Bakery in Nowton. Picture: Richard Marsham
Owner Mark Proctor with his team at The Friendly Loaf Bakery in Nowton. Picture: Richard Marsham

He said: “We are elated with the news and it just goes to show what can happen if you just concentrate on good quality food.

“We use the highest quality ingredients we can source and this is something we do not compromise on - we use real butter, slow proved breads and absolutely no additives.

“We take what we do very seriously and we’ve been able to grow so much by just making really good loaves of bread.

The bakery has been crowned Artisan Bakery of The Year. Picture: Richard Marsham
The bakery has been crowned Artisan Bakery of The Year. Picture: Richard Marsham

“We have been inundated with messages since we won and we’re really grateful for all our customers.”

The Friendly Loaf Bakery offers a range of freshly made slow-proved breads, sour dour, pastries, sausage rolls and sweet treats.

For more information, you can visit www.thefriendlyloaf.co.uk.

It is also hosting a Christmas special bread making course offering a chance for customers to learn how to make their own rye bread, Christmas stollen, macarons and biscotti.

The business is open most days from 8am to 4pm, but 9am to 2pm on Mondays and closed on Sundays.