Every summer, Modern Baking’s editors take a step back from our usual routine of feature writing to take a look at the industry as a whole and focus on several bakeries that really do something right.

We are specifically looking at bakeries from all segments of the industry, including in-store, specialty wholesale, retail and foodservice, that are committed to producing quality products, offer unique training programs for their employees, know how to market themselves, showcase their products via great merchandising techniques or have been beneficial in the service they’ve provided to the industry.

We award these accolades to two bakeries/bakers in each of the seven categories. That isn’t to say that these bakeries only do things right in the category in which they are honored. Many do a lot of things well, but for those chosen, there was a spark of something special in a certain area.

Something about their business made them stand out as a leader. And with the slow recovery from the Great Recession and consumers’ reticence to spend money, we need all the leaders we can get to keep the industry moving in the right direction.

While speaking with Felix Sherman, current president of the Retail Bakers of America, who won for Industry Service, he said something all bakers should take to heart. “We all make mistakes,” he said. “We’re trying to forget the past and look toward the future. I think we have a bright future.” He was referencing RBA in particular, but it is something that is applicable to almost everyone and every business.

It doesn’t matter what mistakes you’ve made, it’s how you respond and grow from them that can make you a leader in the industry.

“We’re an industry that is growing again, and we want to keep it in that direction,” Sherman added.