Mark is a managing director of Patisserie based in Poole, he has successfully scooped four bronze , two silvers and two gold medals in this month’s World Bread Awards.
“Last year I won two silvers and one bronze so I’m getting closer every time,” Mark laughs.
Mark was runner-up of the prestigious competition based in London with 400 bakers from around the globe, he is already focused on first prize for 2015; “I’m very competitive and I want to win, I’m already planning ahead for next year.”
He won gold for his gruyere and toasted pine nut loaf and his French baguette; “I was particularly pleased to win the baguette category as I was up against a top French chef,” he adds.
Mark particularly enjoys experimenting with different flavours in breads as he specialises in artisan breads already; “I like to see what works,” he explained.
“Smoked cheese and coarse black pepper works well. We also tried pear, fennel and stilton and made a beetroot, goats’ cheese and basil sour dough."
“Most of the loaves will be available from the shops in the near future.”
Mark set up his business in December 2011 alongside his wife Emma and their eldest son Jamie, successfully opening their first shop ‘Mark Bennett Ltd’ in Penn Hill.
He then opened a second shop in Lilliput in November 2012 and Ashely Cross in the earlier months of this year.
Last month Mark won the industry’s top award of Britain’s Best Baker.
Mark’s best-selling product is croissants. He shifts 1,500 of the French pastries every week, why not give one a try yourself at one of his local patisseries?
Bread is a huge industry in the UK – Did you know that 12 million loaves are sold every day? The artisan bakery has really taken off in the last decade!
