Tyndrum kitchen porter who taught herself to bake wins award for Cinnamon Muffin Roll

A kitchen porter who arrived in Scotland with no baking experience has won an award for her cinnamon roll-muffin hybrid baked good.

Catalina Dima, known as Cat, came to Scotland from Romania nine years ago and began working as a kitchen porter at The Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum.

Despite knowing little English, she quickly learned the language and moved on to teaching herself a new skill – baking.

Cat 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.”

Catalina Dima's Cinnamon Muffin Roll has been popular with customers — Catalina Dima’s Cinnamon Muffin Roll has been popular with customers Shine Creative

After perfecting her bakes, Cat is now celebrating sweet success after her much loved Cinnamon Muffin Roll was crowned Scotland’s Bakery Product of the Year at the 2025 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.

The treat is one of the restuarant’s most loved items, selling out within hours each day.

Cat said: “Our cinnamon muffin rolls are special because of the amount of time and love that goes into them. Our secret? They’re baked fresh from scratch every day, using top quality ingredients, which include butter, cinnamon, brown sugar and the gamechanger… a melted apricot jam glaze.”

Founder and co-owner of The Real Food Cafe, Sarah Heward said: “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.”

Cinnamon Muffin Roll from The Real Food Café in Tyndrum has been crowned Scotland’s Bakery Product of the Year at the 2025 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.Shine Creative

It’s not the first time Cat has been recognised for her baking talent, having scooped third prize for her Haggis Sausage Roll at The Great Sausage Roll-Off last year.

She had also won several one and two-star Great Taste Awards for her Clootie Dumpling Pudding, Carrot Cake, and Gluten Free Fudge Cake.

Now in their 25th year, the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the best products, people and businesses from across the country

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.”