How Homebaked Bakery paid tribute to Ukraine at Eurovision handover ceremony

Liverpool’s Homebaked Bakery was given ‘dix points’ after catering for the Eurovision Handover and Draw ceremony at St George’s Hall last night.

Homebaked Bakery created 800 Scouse pies, along with canapes, mini Kievs and Kolach, a Ukrainian welcome bread, for the star-studded event which saw the Insignia – the official keys of the famous song contest – handed over by Mayor of 2022 host city Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, to Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson.

Liverpool is host for Eurovision 2023 after being selected out of 20 cities to present the world-famous competition on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine.

Operations manager Angela McKay said it was a huge honour for the community bakery to be part of the ceremony, presented by BBC star Rylan Clark and AJ Odudu.

“It was one of the biggest catering orders we’ve had for such a unique event like that,” said Angela, “and it was a huge feather in our cap; an accolade that we were chosen to be part of it.

“We combined elements of our city and Ukraine in what we served, with Scouse pies which are synonymous with us and Liverpool, and Ukrainian specialities like the mini Kievs, and Olivye salad on the welcome bread.

“It was a really proud moment for all of our staff, especially the young people – some of them apprentices – who were out in St George’s Hall serving it and who had the chance to be in that magnificent building. 

“And the event itself looked amazing.”

Angela added: “It was also really moving, hearing people talk, after all Ukraine is a country still at war.”

Homebaked Bakery marks its 10^th anniversary this year after starting its Anfield shop in 2013, and it now has a café at St George’s Hall too.

“It shows how far we’ve come,” adds Angela, “for a local community-owned bakery to be asked to cater for such a prestigious event.

“Money invested in us is money invested in the people who work for us and the community and, ultimately, the city.

“We always say it’s more than just a pie, Homebaked Bakery is about looking after the people in our community, whether that’s in the care we give to our customers or the jobs that we provide (we employ 22 people).

“The feedback for last night has been really good and, for us, it’s recognition of the quality food we provide, and simply, it was an honour and a privilege to be a part of it.”