Rachel Palmer, head baker at Glasgow’s Hinba Bakery, has scored six wins at the 2026 Scottish Bread Championships.
These new accolades come as the Hinba Hospitality Group – originally founded in Oban as a small-batch coffee roaster – continues its expansion in Glasgow’s west end, where it has recently diversified from those coffee shop roots into casual restaurants.
All the group’s venues are served by the sourdough and pastry specialist Hinba Bakery in Hyndland, which is now preparing for a wider expansion into wholesale and hospitality partnerships.
At the Scottish Bread Championships 2026, held at Bowhouse in Fife as part of Scotland’s Real Bread Week, Hinba won gold in the rye sourdough category for both its enriched bread and true loaf; silver in the white sourdough division for its white sourdough bread and true loaf; in the sea salt & rosemary focaccia category for its enriched bread and ‘Reflecting Scotland’s Food Culture’; as well as in the croissant category for its pastries.
The championships have strict criteria ensuring all entries adhere to Real Bread Campaign standards – meaning no additives, improvers, or shortcuts.
Hinba head baker Palmer, who leads an all‑female baking team at the Hyndland site, said: “We bake every loaf with care, using traditional methods, long fermentation, and the best Scottish produce we can source. To have that recognised on a national stage is a huge boost for our whole team.
“Rye sourdough is one of our most labour‑intensive breads, so winning two golds for it feels especially rewarding. Our focus is always on flavour, craft, and consistency, and these awards reassure us we’re on the right track.”
Rachel, described as ‘a passionate, Glasgow-born baker since her teens’, has become influential in the city’s artisan bread scene.
Under her leadership, Hinba has become known not just for its sourdough but for its innovative pastries and its collaborations with Hinba’s restaurants.
Hinba Hospitality Group’s owner Fergus McCoss said: “Rachel and her team Victoria, Kerry, Greta and Arin have built something extraordinary at Hinba Bakery.
“These awards are a testament not only to her technical skill, but to her ethos, championing Real Bread, Scottish ingredients, and true craftsmanship.
“We’re excited about what comes next as Hinba continues to grow and supply more of Scotland’s restaurants, cafés, and hotels. These wins are just the beginning.”
The company’s hospitality venues portfolio includes Hinba Speciality Coffee sites on Oban’s George Street, and on Glasgow’s Dumbarton Road, Great Western Road, and Sauchiehall Street, plus Ziques Hinba on Hyndland Road, and Tusco (formerly Eighty Eight) on Dumbarton Road.
