The Kandy Bar Bakery is no stranger to awards success.

And, following the most recent World Championship Scotch Pie Awards, business owner Stephen McAllister is as thrilled as ever to receive yet more accolades for an array of their baked goods.

The family business, which runs premises in Saltcoats, West Kilbride and Kilwinning, won the top 'diamond' award for two items: their macaroni pie and meat, veg and potato pie in the hot savoury category.

Meanwhile, their famous Scotch pie - a two-time world champion - was afforded a gold award in the top prize.

"We are over the moon," owner Stephen said, "this is beyond our wildest dreams.

"You sit there in anticipation. You know you have won an award but you don't know which one.

"It's not just for me, it’s for the whole team, not just the bakers but for everybody because everybody plays a part in making the Kandy Bar the traditional craft bakers that they are."

The World Championship awards - which were founded to highlight the outstanding work carried out by local butchers and bakers - have been running for 24 years now.

The Kandy Bar has entered on almost every occasion, seldom - if ever - coming away empty-handed.

They are also still the only business to have held both the World Champions Scotch Pie title at the same time as the Scottish Baker of the Year crown.

However, Stephen said that never takes away from the excitement of awards night.

He commented: "When you hear the name it's phenomenal, it just makes everything so worthwhile.

"I'm absolutely over the moon to be judged by experts to still be right up there as the best in the world. I'm almost at the stage of being speechless.

"Over the years we have won a huge amount of awards. It's nice to have won these awards but it’s great to have something right up to the present day."

While Stephen is brimming with pride after the award wins, he said the victory is more for his staff and customers.

He added: "It's a great team effort. It's not just for the team or for me, I feel that for the customers - when they come in here - they know that are getting quality products.

"The amount of great comments we have had from customers has been quite humbling.

"That is who we, as a business, are out here to please. To make sure they are getting the full Kandy Bar experience.

"The recipe for success is producing quality products in a good environment."

Stephen has no plans of letting up and hopes the Kandy Bar will continue to thrive in 2024.

Having started as a family sweet shop in 1962, the business now employs 89 people and is renowned for its outstanding produce.

Stephen continued: "We truly are a traditional family bakers. It is a dying trade and the big have got bigger and the small craft is disappearing.

"For us to be on the high street and still producing the quality products that we do, that are still held in the highest esteem from far and wide - it is just such a humbling feeling."