Bradford garden centre baker shortlisted in national bakery competition
The head baker at Tong Garden Centre has been recognised for his bakery skills after being shortlistedfor Baker of the Year in the 2018 Baking Industry awards.
Judges from the prestigious national awards scheme visited Lee Parnham at the Tong Garden Centre bakery in June and sampledmany products including Tong's renowned vanilla slice, quiches and Eccles cakes.
Lee's bakery skills were honed in both independent and multi-site bakeries before he joined Tong Garden Centre to head up the newly formed bakery team.He now managesa team of five who have delivered double digit sales growth every year since the bakery was commissioned in 2015.
Tong's Commercial Director, Sharon McNair, is proud of Lee's achievements: "Lee has done a great job of building the team, developing an exciting product range in response to customer feedback and tailoring products to delight our customers.
"Lee and his team have grown the bakery from a standing start in just 3 years and now supply both the Food Hall and the restaurant with tray bakesand selected patisserie ranges."
A delighted Lee, who was shortlisted for judging, but didn't reach the final three, said: "We have achieved so much and I'm really proud to have been shortlisted in the Baker of the Year category but I couldn't have done it without the fantastic support and commitment of my team here in the Food Hall."
Judges said thatcompetition was tough and being shortlisted for judging was a great achievement. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 5thSeptember.
Lee and his team will be showcasing their skills at the forthcoming Taste of Tong event on 15thand 16thSeptember.
Tong Garden Centre is one of Yorkshire's biggest garden centres with 110,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 1000cars.
Ends
Photo:Lee Parnham and colleagues at Tong Garden Centre Lee Parnham at Tong Garden Centre
For more information or to arrange an interview with Lee Parnham or Sharon McNair, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;
Direct line:01430 871360
Mobile:07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk
Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to Editors
1. For more information about Tong Garden Centre, please visitwww.tonggardencentre.co.ukand see the centre'sFacebook,Twitter,Instagramandnewsonline.
2. For more information about the British Baker backed Baking Industry Awards, please visithttps://www.bakeryawards.co.uk
3. Tong Garden Centre is one of the largest independent garden centres in Yorkshire, located near Bradford in West Yorkshire. It occupies a17-acre site near Tong village.Anoutdoor plant department and shopping departments filled with garden furniture, gifts, home accessories and leading brands spread across110,000 square feet of retail space. Also on-site is the Coffee Shop, Orchard Restaurant, children's outdoor adventure playground Grass Hoppers and a newly refurbished food hall.
4. Tong Garden Centre recently triumphed at the Bradford means Business Awards won three awards at the Horticulture Week Awards 2018 and five at the North East regional GCA awards.