A SPECIALIST baker has used its loaf to rise to the top of Thanet's business pile.

Specialty Breads by FDC, a company that makes ciabatta, focaccia and other exotic flour products, has been named Thanet Business of the Year in the 18th annual awards run by Thanet council.

Founded in 1996 as the Frozen Dough Company (FDC) in Minster, Speciality Breads now operates from a purpose-built factory on Westwood Industrial Estate in Margate.

Widely known in catering circles, the company supplies pallets of bread to wholesalers and sandwich-makers across the United Kingdom.

There was warm applause from nearly 100 guests in the Winter Gardens, Margate, when Carolyn Macleod, managing director, went on stage to collect the silver trophy from Thanet council chairman Barry Coppock.

He said: "Speciality Breads are a market leader in their field and their innovation has led to the development of a range of new products, ensuring the continued growth of their business."

Speciality Breads has created 26 jobs over the past six years and seen turnover soar to more than £1 million. Ms Macleod was delighted. "It's a wonderful achievement for the company," she said. "We are overwhelmed."

She said Continental breads were proving very popular and the market was growing.

"Most people have eaten ciabatta and focaccia and they expect that if they go out to lunch at a wine bar, a pub or restaurant they will be offered something a little bit different. That's what we are trying to supply."

Paul Beal, 26, from Dane Valley, Margate, was named Employee of the Year, an award sponsored by Multiglow Fires in memory of John Le Baigue.

Mr Beal joined PAB Electronics, a Westwood specialist in printed circuit boards, when he was 19. "I was shocked but extremely pleased and proud," he said after winning the trophy.

Award judge Graham Townsley, Multiglow's quality manager, said Paul had shown tenacity and grabbed his opportunities.

"Every good luck to him," he said. "You don't get anywhere without doing your best and putting all of yourself into a job." He added that John Le Baigue had been a great believer in personal achievement.

Other awards went to All Signs Solutions, Westgate (Barclays Small Business); Thanet Leisureforce (Business Link Kent Investing in Training); EIBIS International, Broadstairs (Sericol Exporter of the Year); and Royal Albion Hotel and Marchesi Restaurant.

Meanwhile, Pauline Warren, Thanet council's award organiser, was presented with her own accolade. Yvonne Forbes of the Elonville Hotel, Cliftonville, presented her with a trophy "for her outstanding contribution to Thanet Business Awards”.

This year's awards attracted more than 70 entries and the contest's popularity forced organisers to switch the presentation ceremony from Northdown House, Cliftonville, to the larger Winter Gardens venue.