Rising Talent in Baking: Ivor McKane Meets Naomi Griffiths

I had the pleasure of meeting Naomi Griffiths recently at the fabulous Coleg Cambria site in Wrexham. Naomi welcomed me to the college and gave me a tour of the bakery & restaurant facilities. Just before my visit, Naomi had baked some wonderful sourdough bread. The bakery in Coleg Cambria supplies bread to all the restaurant and takeaway facilities within the college facility. We then sat down and had a wide ranging discussion about the world of baking and I was interested to hear Naomi's story of how her career started. From an early age Naomi enjoyed baking and her first role in bakery was at a local garden centre. In tandem with this she developed her social media site @littlewelshfoodie and has developed a strong following on social media. Indeed as a rising Welsh influencer and star baker Naomi was among the invited guests to St Davids Reception at 10 Downing Street. 

Naomi studied for her Level 3 bakery exams at Coleg Cambria and is now employed by the college. Naomi shared how grateful she is for those who supported and mentored her, including Daryll Stephenson and Sara Autton.

Her passion and skills have been recognised across the industry. Naomi won the coveted Rising Star Award at Baking Industry Awards in 2024, has attended the acclaimed Richemont bakery college in Switzerland supported by the Worshipful company of Bakers (Naomi is now a freeman of the company) Attended the school of Artisan Food and has visited industry suppliers including AB Mauri, Ireks & Dawn Foods and is currently a student ambassador for Dawn Foods.

In 2025 through collaboration with Bako & Wrights (Compleat Food Group) Naomi and her colleague Ellie Muddiman developed a range of Cake Slices & Savouries which are currently sold by Bako. Naomi described the process from initial discussions with David Armstrong at Bako to developing samples, taste panels, presenting samples to commercial teams and visits to both Bako & Wrights for factory trials as both exciting and insightful. To see products developed and being consistently sold via a major wholesaler is quite an honour.  

Seldom in my career have I met someone with such skills, drive & ambition combined. In an industry where young talent is so vital Naomi is such an example and role model. 

Ivor McKane
National President, Craft Bakers Association