A CHESTER baker has scooped an award.

Kelvin Davies, of P & A Davies, has been awarded Craft Baker of the Year at the OOH (Out of Home magazine) Live Exhibition at London’s Earl’s Court.

Kelvin, of Nannerch, comes from a baking family and started his working life at Weinholt’s Bakery as a holiday relief.

“I ended up staying for 40 years!” he said.

Kelvin’s wife Linda also works at P & A Davies in cake decoration and the couple have two sons, one of whom is a chef in Manchester.

He added: “The company likes to encourage staff to enter competitions. Simon Hazlett, the managing director and Rob Simms the bakery manager are very supportive and I can’t thank them enough for my success.”

This was the first time in 40 years Kelvin had entered a competition.

Kelvin impressed the judging panel with his basket of 13 bakery items including a humorous Christmas cake depicting Santa Claus sliding down a mountain of snow, reindeer buried up to their antlers and presents scattered about. He describes the scene as “an accident.”

He added: “I’m particularly proud of the Greek olive speciality bread with virgin olive oil and whole olives.”

P & A Davies has a track record of awards, including the Richement trophy in 2007 and the Rank Hovis trophy last year.

Last April at the National Supreme Product Championships at the NEC in Birmingham, out of 13 entries, Davies won three gold, three silver and three bronze awards. Every product entered was baked using the bakery’s own recipes.

P & A Davies employs a staff of 107 in the centre of Chester, with 50 people working in the bakery.