NEWS

9October 14, 2015enfieldindependent.co.uk

Loaf wins a top award

A TRADITIONAL family bak-ery that first opened more than100 years ago haswon a nationalaward for one of its loaves.Victoria Bakery, set up by

Charles Freeman in 1906 inEnfield Town market, has beencrowned champion at the WorldBread Awards.Beating more than 1,100 oth-

er bakers in the best bloomercategory, the family bakery’sLondon bloomer was “headand shoulders” above thecompetition.This was the second time the

bakery has entered the compe-tition and after being crownedbest in its category, the teamwas then announced winner ofthe contest’s gold award.“I hope my ancestors are

looking down with pride” saidJames Freeman, who saw theshop return to its Enfield Mar-ket home after 30 years awayfrom the borough at its mainbase in Barnet.“I never thought we’d win the

main prize, we thought we stooda good chance of winning ourcategory.“But the longer they described

the overall winner, the more Ithought it sounded like our loaf

and I’m so proud.”Baking goes back five genera-

tions in the Freeman family andMr Freeman hopes the latestaward ranks alongside his prede-cessors’ achievements.MrFreemanadded: “Our secret

is to not rush things and take ourtime over the loaves we make.“It’s an incredible achievement

for us all, to be named the bestin the country, nothing can beatthat.”The bakery now has a regu-

lar spot at the reformed EnfieldTown market, and Mr Freeman

was full of praise for the mar-ket’s revamp.He said: “I think the market

has been saved with this revampand they [the charitable trust]should be commended for secur-ing its future.”A spokeswoman for the The

Old Enfield Charitable Trust,which runs the market, said:“We are delighted for James andhis team and that after centuriesEnfield Market continues to helpencourage and grow small busi-nesses who are essential to oureconomy”

The Victoria Bakery team with their awards

By Charlie Peat

Family bakery still sieving the dream