Well fancy that! Bettys bakers pick up awards in ‘Oscars’

It was the cherry on the cake for Gemma Pickup and Justin Clapham, who work at Bettys Craft Bakery, which is based in Harrogate.

Gemma, 26 from Harrogate, who has worked at Bettys for ten years and is confectionery team leader, was named the country’s best confectioner at the Baking Industry Awards 2012 in London.

Judges were especially impressed with Gemma’s passion for her craft and for “putting her heart and soul” into Bettys’ range of cakes, fancies and tortes.

“I chose a career in confectionery at Bettys because of the variety,” she said yesterday.

Justin, aged 25 from Knaresborough, a specialist trainer in pastry making at the Craft Bakery, was named the UK’s rising star of bakery.

Judges were impressed with his “absolute passion” for craft baking and dedication to training the next generation of bakers, despite having worked for Bettys for just six years since leaving college.

He said: “I love craft bakery and teaching. Every day is different.”

Bakery operations manager Caroline Grant said: “Everyone at Bettys is delighted with the news and very proud of Gemma and Justin.”

More than 200 Yorkshire and Continental specialities are handcrafted every day at Bettys Craft Bakery for the six Bettys Café Tea Rooms in Yorkshire and for Bettys’ online shop.