Meet Kat Bozikovic, the Lancashire baker sharing her secrets at the British Society

A favourite Lancashire baker will passing on some of the secrets of her success at a top industry conference.

Kat Bozikovic, co-owner of Outpost Bakery in Eccleston, has been confirmed as a guest speaker at the British Society of Baking Autumn Conference, taking place on October 14 and 15,at Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

Kat will be one of six speakers, and the only craft bakery retailer on the programme.

She will discuss why she and her husband, Felix Stenhouse, started Outpost Bakery, the business's growth, its acclaimed products, recent investment, its revised online presence, staff training and retention, and future plans.

“I'm honoured to be representing craft bakery retail at this year's conference,” said Kat.

“Felix and I started this business because we believed there was space for something more personal and more ambitious on the high street, and it's been an incredible journey getting here. I'm looking forward to sharing what we've learned with the wider baking community.”

The British Society of Baking (BSB) was founded in 1955 by leading UK bakers inspired by conferences held by the American Society of Bakery Engineers.

Since then, it has hosted over 550 conference presentations, with a track record of shaping the trade, from highlighting the importance of dietary fibre in the 1970s to raising concerns over hydrogenated fats more recently.

Members include retail, plant, wholesale and craft bakers, along with suppliers, millers and bakery colleges.

The Society is not-for-profit and supports bakery students and apprentices, including through cash grants to colleges and universities across Britain and Ireland.

Joining Kat are five other speakers from across professional baking.

Kevin Sargent, senior product development manager at the Co Op, will share the thinking behind its bakery supply and product development.

Simon Curran of Miller Whitworths will cover the latest trends in milling and their implications for bakers and customers.

Tom Moore of prize-winning wholesale bakery Henllan will explain the business model behind its highly rated breads and service.

Claudia D'Ambelle of Danisco / IFF will present research on emerging product trends.

Eric Balzan of Montana Bakery, a pioneer of authentic Italian bread in the UK, will discuss the business's rapid growth.