LAS VEGAS — The lineup of judges for the 2025 IBIE World Bread Awards USA, to be held Sept. 15-16 during the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE), has been revealed and is stacked with industry experts and longtime bakers.
The competition, powered by the Retail Bakers of America and Bread Bakers Guild of America, will give bakers the opportunity to showcase the art and skill behind their breadmaking.
The awards were initially scheduled for Oct. 7-8, 2024, but were postponed to IBIE 2025 to enhance the competition with its renowned platform and spotlight talent across the broader baking industry.
Meet the judges:
- Peter Abrams, bakery specialist at Lesaffre
- April Anderson, pastry chef and owner of Good Cakes and Bakes, LLC
- Lilla Bernal, assistant professor at Culinary Institute of America
- Mel Darbyshire, head baker at Grand Central Bakery
- Alan Dumonceaux, academic chair at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Paul Edward, COO of Chef Rubber
- Lauren Haas, professor at Culinary Institute of America
- Lisa Kirschner, assistant professor at Culinary Institute of America
- Katie Kring, owner and head instructor of Pickwick & Cherry
- John Lupo, president at Grandma’s Bakery
- Laura Ohm, product director at Grand Central Bakery
- Stephen Pinnuck, bakery teacher at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE
- Carlos Ruiz, head baker at El Horno de Pane
- Angela Salvatore, associate professor of baking and pastry at The Culinary Institute of America
- Amy Scherber, founder and president of Amy’s Bread
- Will Seppi, president and CEO of Costeaux French Bakery
- Karl de Smedt, head of the Puratos Sourdough Institute
- Amie Smith, owner of Amie Bakery
- Richard Sperry, home baker at On the Rise
- Stephanie Swane, publisher of Modernist Cuisine, The Cooking Lab
- Yam Tolan, owner of Moontower Bakery
- Brian Wood, owner of Starter Bakery
Bakers can enter the competition before Aug. 31. The live judging will be held Sept. 15 in the West Hall, with the awards ceremony scheduled for Sept. 16.
Visit the Baking Expo website for more information on the awards.
