Calling all bakers and grain lovers! Join us at the Second Annual Hayden Flour Mills Bread Fest on Nov 15, 2026 from 11am-2pm at Barrio Bagel and Slice in Gilbert, Arizona.
General Baking Contest F.A.Q.
What to expect at Bread Fest?
Bread Fest is a fun community event dedicated to celebrating delicious Arizona breads and all our amazing bakers. It will feature a Baking Contest that is open to Home and Cottage bakers. There will be live music, a butter sculpture, activities for kids and lots of samples of Arizona's very best breads.
How do I enter the Baking Contest?
Enter as a contestant on the Event Brite website in the appropriate category. Pick "CONTESTANT Ticket" in the category you would like to enter.
Ahead of the competition we will email you to ask you for the name of your bread or baked good and your ingredient list.
There are limited spots in each category.
What’s the difference between Cottage and Home Baker categories?
A Cottage Baker refers to someone that has a Cottage Food License and sells their bread from home or at a Farmer’s Market. A Cottage Baker is someone who makes all or part of their income selling bread. If bread is more of a hobby for you, you are considered a Home Baker, even if you occasionally sell your bread to friends and neighbors.
Cottage Bakers will be permitted to sample their baked good at the event. Home Bakers will only be permitted to display their bakes per AZ food laws.
Do I have to use Hayden Flour Mills flour in my bake?
Yes! This is the Hayden Flour Mills Bread Fest! HFM flour needs to be at least ONE of the ingredients in your bread. Your recipe can also include non-wheat flours like cornmeal, chickpea flour or rice flour.
Can I submit more than one baked good?
Only 1 bread, or baked good can be submitted to the contest per person.
How will my bake be judged?
Bread will be judged on crumb, texture, aroma, appearance, depth of flavor, creativity and scoring (if any) by a panel of professional bakers, chefs and bread-loving community members.
What will I win?
If you win the Baking Contest in your category you will receive a ribbon, a $50 Hayden Flour Mills Gift Card and most importantly--bragging rights.
What do I need to bring- Cottage Baker?
Sourdough and Rye Bread Contestants
4 loaves of the same type— for sampling to the Bread Fest attendees. Bring a cutting board and bread knife. We will provide a display table, food service gloves and sampling tongs. You can also bring promotional material to let people know where they can find your bread around Arizona. We ask that you arrive 30 mins early to check in and set up your bread station.
What do I need to bring- Home Baker?
2 loaves of the same type—1 for the judges and 1 for display. Unfortunately the food department will not allow us to sample home baked bread to the public. But not to worry, your loaf will get a spot front and center so everyone can “ooh” and “ahh” over your sourdough skills. We ask that you arrive 30 mins early to check in and get your loaf to the judging station.
Sourdough Bread Category F.A.Q.
What is a Sourdough Bread Contest?
The Sourdough Bread Contest is a chance for Arizona bakers to show off their skills. We will have two main categories- Home Baker & Cottage Baker. Within each of those categories there will be two sub categories-Classic Sourdough & Flavored Sourdough. See below for more information on what breads are accepted.
Can I use yeast in my bread?
Bread made with Commercial Yeast + Sourdough Culture are permitted. A loaf made with ONLY commercial yeast is not allowed. We’re not sourdough purists, however we want to highlight the craft of naturally leavened bread at this year's Bread Fest.
What breads are not accepted?
Bread baked in a sandwich loaf pan, baguettes, bagels, rolls, pretzels, flat breads, pizza, yeasted quick breads, focaccia, pastries and tortillas. These will all be great categories for future Bread Fests, but these breads will not be accepted this year.
What kind of bread IS accepted?
We are looking for hand shaped sourdough loaves, also known as boules, country loaves, hearth breads or ciabattas.
100% Rye Bread Category F.A.Q.
What is a 100% Rye Bread Contest?
Sweet Bakes Category F.A.Q.
What is a Sweet Bakes contest?
The "Sweet Bakes" is a broader category to make room for a little more sweetness at this year's Bread Fest. This category includes cookies, bars, or sweet breads.
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