Liverpool boutique bakery named best in Merseyside at top national awards

A Liverpool boutique bakery has been named the best in Merseyside at the National Bakery Awards 2025.

Rough Hand Made at the Albert Dock was presented with the accolade at a ceremony in London to honour the top bakers across the UK.

The awards attract nominations from all over the country and all kinds of bakeries, from small artisan independents like Rough Hand Made to larger wholesale operations.

They are then shortlisted for County and Regional titles, with one being crowned the overall National Bakery of the Year.

The aim is to reward all the hard work, early starts, and passion that go into creating the thousands of fresh bakes bought each day.

For Rough Hand Made, being named in the running for County winner for Merseyside came as a complete surprise.

Sharon Goldman, who co-owns Rough Hand Made with her husband Carlos, said:

“We weren’t aware of these awards until we were contacted to let us know we had been nominated, which was both surprising and flattering,” 

“Being nominated alongside so many great bakeries across the country gave us a great feeling because of the recognition of what we do and what we put into it.

“All bakers are early risers and dedicated hard workers putting heart and soul into this incredibly difficult and special industry.

“This award is not about size, sales or fame, it is about who you are as a company, what you bring to customers and the passion behind every product you make.”

Rough Hand Made opened on the dock’s Britannia Pavilion back in 2018, moving from one iconic Liverpool location to another after four years on Penny Lane.

Since then the family-run bakery has gone on to become one of the city’s best-loved, popular with regulars as well as visitors from around the world who come to the dock every year.

It’s known for its hand-crafted ‘perfectly imperfect’ pastries, buns, and breads – all made fresh each day to Rough Hand Made’s own recipes – displayed on the counter straight out of the oven so customers can spot and choose their favourite.

Sharon says being named best in Merseyside at the National Bakery Awards is an achievement for the entire team who play their part in creating and serving the bakes people love.

She added:

“We make simple basic stuff everyone can relate to but create it with a huge heart and at the highest quality possible,”

“Carlos always says even if you only make one thing, make it excellent every single time.

“Being the County winner for Merseyside is a pure honour but would not have happened without the incredible people surrounding us: Gittit, Michele, Gjorgji, Jo, Maria, Gee, Emily, Netta, Sofia, Phoebe, Katie, Star, Eleanor and Isabelle.”

Find out more about Rough Hand Made here.

Get all the latest across the Liverpool City Region here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.