'It’s a marvellous boost': Dromore’s Krazi Baker wins national award for traditional Northern Irish breads
Mark Douglas recognised as Artisan Baking Service of the Year after more than 30 years perfecting potato cakes, soda farls and treacle farls
Krazi Baker, the outdoor griddle baker from Dromore has won a major national award for his skills baking traditional Northern Irish breads like potato cakes, soda and treacle farls.
The popular baker, Mark Douglas by name, has won the Artisan Baking Service of the Year 20026/7 in the prestigious Corporate LiveWire Global Awards 2026/27.
The Corporate LiveWire Awards are open to both UK-based and international businesses and organisations across all major industries. From small and medium sized enterprises to multinational corporations, the awards recognise those who have proven to consistently deliver excellent products and services in their market.
Krazi Baker Mark is justifiably delighted to have won.
He explained: “It’s a marvellous boost for my small bakery business to be recognition in such an event. I wasn’t aware that a customer had nominated me and so the award came as a complete and very encouraging surprise. I really do appreciate all the support I receive from customers at all my market stalls.”
Nominations from the public and other source are invited to provide evidence on their work, details on their services, what makes them different to others in the industry.
An expert judging team will also review case studies, website content, client testimonials and reviews from third party sources to assess who they feel are most deserving of recognition.
Krazi Baker is the first Northern Ireland company to be recognised. A sole trader, Krazi Baker Mark (60) specialises in outdoor cooking of a wide range of traditional breads that also include pancakes and wheaten loaves based on experience in local small bakeries over 30 years. His shortbread biscuits and potato apple have won UK Great Taste Awards over the years.
He’s now to be found cooking breads on a griddle at Newtownards market on Saturdays and Carrickfergus on most Thursdays. In addition, Mark, a FoodNI member company, is a regular at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show at Balmoral Park and agricultural shows such as Clogher.
As well as cooking outdoors, Krazi Baker runs a programme of classes for people interested in learning how to cook on the griddle traditional breads.