The Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum scooped up the award for Scotland’s Bakery Product of the Year at the 2025 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.

The bakery – located on the West Highland Way – won with their “much-loved” cinnamon muffin roll, which sells out within hours every day.

The recipe was developed by Catalina Dima, who arrived in Scotland from Romania nine years ago having never baked before in her life.

Catalina Dima (Image: Supplied) She spoke very little English when she arrived, but she applied for a job as a kitchen porter at The Real Food Cafe where she quickly learned the language – and soon moved into baking.

Dima said: “My first proper experience of baking was after the birth of my son – I wanted to do something at home, so I started baking bread and failed miserably, but I kept going.

“I read so many books about baking, trying to find out where I was going wrong, staying up all hours, determined to get my recipes right.”

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The Real Food Cafe opened in 2005 and has quickly become a “pit-stop” for many people travelling through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner – with its menu featuring homemade soup, fish and chips, burgers, salmon, salads, home baking and coffee.

The Real Food Cafe’s cinnamon muffin rolls are made with butter, cinnamon, brown sugar as well as a “game-changer” ingredient – a melted apricot jam glaze.

(Image: Supplied) Sarah Heward, founder and co-owner of The Real Food Cafe, commented: “This award is a huge moment for us. The cinnamon muffin rolls are more than just a baked product – they represent creativity, resilience and a love for great ingredients and food.

“I’m so proud of Cat, whose journey and passion have made these buns what they are. For a small rural cafe like ours to be recognised as producing Scotland’s top baked product means the absolute world to the team.”

From November until February, Real Food Cafe is set to run a special cinnamon bun and coffee deal.

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There were more than 200 entries to this year’s Food & Drink Excellence Awards, with 12 product and 10 business prizes up for grabs.

Iain Baxter, chief executive at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the outstanding producers whose passion, innovation, and hard work continue to drive Scotland’s food and drink industry forward.

“The quality of this year’s entries has been exceptional, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship that set new standards for our sector.

“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists – their success is a true reflection of the strength and reputation of Scotland’s world-class food and drink community.”