Ninety one bakers and their associates from across the South West swapped dough for haut cuisine as they gathered for the first time in 12 years to relax, mingle and celebrate excellence in their industry.

The Western Craft Bakers Association weekend at the Budock Vean Hotel included representatives from some of the region’s great baking families including Cornwall-based Martins, Choughs and Warrens.

“As bakers we work through the night and morning to make sure our customers get their bread fresh to start their days so this weekend was a wonderful chance to relax and enjoy some good times together by the lovely Helford River,” said Western Region president Stuart Hawkins.

“The Budock Vean team made us incredibly welcome and the food they served us was absolutely outstanding and the great thing was we didn’t have to make any of it ourselves.”

Muscles more used to kneading dough and lifting flour sacks were eased by relaxing treatments in the Natural Health Spa, walks in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in which the hotel sits, as well as with rounds of golf and games of tennis.

“It’s such a pleasure making sure people who work so hard get a really good chance to wind down on a weekend like this,” said Budock Vean’s owner Martin Barlow. “Of course people want to talk business and discuss their industry – but it’s also a time to have a lot of fun, eat well – and escape – and I know that’s what we were able to offer this lovely group of people.”