BAKO launches 'Young Bakers' 2026

BAKO has launched the second year of BAKO's Young Bakers Initiative, a campaign searching for the next big bakery product by challenging two aspiring bakery professionals to develop innovative new products for nationwide launch in early 2027.

Following the success of last year's inaugural programme, which culminated in a national product launch and a Silver Award at the British Baker Best Cake competition, the initiative returns with an even greater focus on commercial product innovation, giving students the opportunity to turn consumer trends and creative ideas into products destined for bakery shelves across the UK.

Over the coming months, Holly Buttner and Alessia Ferreira Kilicaslan will work on a live new product development (NPD) brief, researching emerging food trends, identifying changing consumer preferences, creating new recipes and refining concepts before presenting their ideas for commercial launch through BAKO's national distribution network.

Unlike a traditional competition, the Young Bakers Initiative immerses participants in every stage of commercial product development, from initial concept generation and flavour profiling through to recipe refinement, technical validation, packaging, marketing and launch planning, providing a unique insight into how successful bakery products reach the marketplace.

The initiative also gives BAKO access to fresh perspectives from the next generation of bakery professionals, helping identify new opportunities to meet evolving consumer tastes while investing in the future talent that will shape the industry.

David Armstrong, Group Commercial Director at BAKO, said: "Innovation has always been at the heart of the bakery industry and developing successful new products requires creativity, technical expertise and a deep understanding of changing consumer trends.

"The Young Bakers Initiative gives emerging talent the opportunity to experience the realities of commercial product development while allowing us to benefit from fresh ideas and new ways of thinking. It's exciting to watch concepts evolve from initial sketches into products that customers will eventually see on bakery shelves across the country."

Holly Buttner said: "The opportunity to work on products that could eventually be sold nationwide is incredibly exciting. I'm looking forward to exploring trends, experimenting with flavours and learning what makes a product commercially successful. Seeing an idea develop from an initial concept into something customers can actually buy is an experience very few students get."

Alessia Ferreira Kilicaslan added: "I'm particularly interested in new product development, so working on a live commercial brief is an amazing opportunity. I'm excited to explore new ingredients, consumer trends and healthier bakery concepts while learning more about the commercial decisions involved in bringing products to market."

The Young Bakers Initiative is delivered in collaboration with Dawn Foods and University College Birmingham (UCB), giving Holly and Alessia Ferreira Kilicaslan access to expert mentoring, technical development support and insight into the commercial realities of modern bakery manufacturing.

Tim Clarkson, Managing Director Dawn Foods UK and Ireland said: "Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Dawn Foods, and initiatives like Young Bakers play an important role in inspiring the future talent that will drive our industry forward. By giving students the opportunity to work on a live product development brief, we're helping them build valuable commercial and technical skills while encouraging fresh perspectives and new ideas.

“We're delighted to be partnering with BAKO and University College Birmingham on this year's programme and can't wait to see the products Holly and Alessia Ferreira Kilicaslan develop for launch in 2027."

Jo Lyons, Senior Lecturer in Higher Education (Bakery), University College Birmingham, said: “The BAKO Young Baker project is an excellent opportunity for our Bakery and Patisserie Technology Students, Holly and Alessia, to gain valuable hands-on product development experience working alongside, and learning from, experienced industry professionals, who will no doubt inspire their next steps into the baking industry and their future careers."

Throughout the programme the students will undertake bakery trend research, visit leading bakery businesses, test recipes, refine product concepts and present their final ideas before the successful products are launched nationally through BAKO in 2027.

Profits generated through the Initiative product range will continue to support future programmes, helping create a sustainable initiative that invests in emerging bakery talent and encourages continued innovation across the UK bakery sector.