With less than a week to go until the deadline, it’s time to get those Baking Industry Awards entries in. Due to a number of requests, the cut-off date for entries has been extended to 23 May.

British Baker’s 2008 awards are split into 11 categories and recognise the very best in the industry, covering craft and plant bakers, suppliers, in-store bakeries and a host of others.

Winning an award can seriously improve your business. Last year’s Skills Achievement Award winner Paul Barker – owner of Cinnamon Square – said the award was "especially good for our baking courses, because it gave them extra credibility".

Asda’s Boldon Colliery bakery team won last year’s in-store award, and bakery manager Chris Spoors has since been promoted to fresh food team leader. Spoors said the team is "still riding the wave" of excitement from its success.

The awards will be presented at a glitzy gala dinner at London’s Grosvenor Hotel on 15 September. To enter, call 01293 610433 or click on the link below. Don’t delay – the entry deadline is 23 May.