Graduate Natalie makes history as top student at distinguished master baker awards

A stand-out bakery graduate has made history by winning one of the highest industry accolades at a distinguished event for Britain’s master bakers.

Natalie Brown received a Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Bakers award as this year's top student in the UK after graduating from UCB with a first-class BSc (Hons) Bakery and Patisserie Technology degree in October.

It is the first time a student from University College Birmingham has won, ending a year of fantastic wins for UCB's bakery students, including a bumper haul at the 2019 Alliance for Bakery Students and Trainees’ (ABST) annual competition.

Natalie, who is now working for Kudos Blends, a world leader in the creation of innovative leavening agents, was presented with her award at the organisation’s end-of-year Court and Livery dinner in the ostentatious courtroom of Bakers Hall in London.

She said: “I have now made history in being the first person from UCB to ever receive this award as, usually, they award students from the National Bakery School in London. They accepted me based on receiving top grades and also for getting a fantastic job at well-known bakery supplier Kudos Blends.”

Assistant Dean of Bakery Patisserie at UCB’s College of Food and Hospitality Management Sam Dowle, who attended the ceremony with Natalie, said: “The Worshipful Company of Bakers endeavours to encourage students to become first-class tradesmen and women and I couldn’t be prouder of Natalie for winning this highly distinguished award, she will go far in this industry.

“The event itself was an eye-opener, having to sing the national anthem and a hymn, drink wine from a trophy cup and pass it onto the next person while protecting their back. A very traditional event and wonderful experience.”

With 200 members, made up of master bakers and allied traders, the Worshipful Company of Bakers can trace its City of London origins back to 1155 and is the City of London’s second oldest recorded guild.

The Company plays an active role in the continuing development of the baking industry and allied trades, nationally and internationally, through training, scholarships and as an authoritative and independent voice in food manufacture and retailing. It also maintains a significant programme of charitable support and maintains close connections with some of the main European Guilds (Livery Companies) and exchanges visits.

Find out more about studying bakery at UCB and our courses within the College of Food and Hospitality Management.