Independent retailer, Hope’s of Longtown was awash with the smell of warm bread this weekend as entries flooded in for their first Bread Basket bake-off contest, in association with Talgarth Mill.

Taking top prize was Sue Garrat’s brilliant brioche which the judges described as “superb, with a light fluffy texture and full flavour.” Sue, who also won the traditional tin loaf category, took away a sack of premium quality Talgarth Mill stone ground flour, a copy of Paul Hollywood’s best selling book Bread and a behind the scenes tour pass for Talgarth’s fully restored 18th century water mill and bakery.

Timed to celebrate the start of National Bread Week (May 11-17), the competition attracted loaves from across the county and from bakers of all ages. 13 year-old Lois Aled impressed judges with her stollen, winning the junior baker category, while Hannah Williams took the prize for speciality savoury loaf with a favourite family recipe. Jonathon Harrington won the machine made loaf category. Christine Hope, proprietor at Hope’s of Longtown who devised the competition, said: “It was a really fun weekend and we were delighted at how many people took the time to enter. The shop was buzzing with activity on the Sunday as the loaves were laid out for tasting and it was great to see the reactions of the winners as their names were called. Fresh bread is an important part of the Hope’s local food offer and we are already in discussions with Sue about the potential for her to supply us with her fabulous brioche.”

Based on information supplied by Caroline Sargent.