A BAKER with a focus on the scrumptious and sustainable has been recognised with a prestigious award just 12 months after launching his microbusiness.
Feeling burnt out after years of research and long hours, Dave Stewart swapped the lab for the kitchen last year and launched 'Dr Dough' as a traditional and sustainable bakery.
With a growing reputation for his freshly baked bread, Dave's Prescot-based business was recently recognised by the Great Taste Awards for his 100% Rye Sourdough with Walnuts and Dates loaf.
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Described as the UK's "largest and most trusted" food and drink accreditation scheme, the Great Taste Awards highlight the exceptional work of businesses across the country so that customers can feel confident in purchasing their products.
With tens of thousands of entrants applying for a Great Taste Award every year, it is a highly-competitive market and makes the recognition all the more sweet for Dave and Dr Dough.
As the Great Taste Awards celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, Dr Dough was also one of 50 bursary recipients who had not entered the accreditation scheme before; gifted to help boost start-up businesses.
Dave, 36, said: "I applied for the awards when the business wasn't even a year old, and right at the last minute too.
"I just picked the product that I liked the most and hoped for the best, so for a microbusiness like mine to win such a prestigious award, I'm absolutely over the moon."
Initially delivering his handmade loaves to customers on his bicycle, Dave now supplies his products to a variety of regional businesses and presents them at markets such as Rainhill Farmers Market and Prescot Shopping Centre.
With the aim to keep Dr Dough as ethical and sustainable as possible, this means always sourcing locally sourced ingredients and supporting local businesses, while using traditional baking methods to create fresh products without chemicals or additives.
"I am concerned about the climate crisis, and I think this is a sustainable business that can help the environment locally", Dave added.
"I'm always using local farmers and supporting local businesses, which is so much better for the community in the long term.
"Customers seem to really like the ethos and the products because I haven't had a single bad comment yet!"
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