Bud Cason, Founder and Chairman of Birmingham-based Bud’s Best Cookies, will soon be inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame by the American Society of Baking (A.S.B.). The award recognizes industry innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Individuals are selected for their achievements in organizational growth and development, equipment design and innovation, advancements in ingredient technology and processing or related service to the commercial baking industry. “The lives and careers of these individuals provide wonderful examples of excellence and leadership,” said John Del Campo, chair of the A.S.B. Baking Hall of Fame Evaluation Committee. “They represent the best qualities of compassion, forward thinking and personal judgment. The committee feels honored to have looked at their accomplishments. They inspire our future by their experience.”
Cason practically invented the category of mini-cookies by being the first to master the mass production of these bite-size treats, now found at convenience stores all around the country and
on Amazon.com. Later, he added full-size cookies and, most recently, wafer products to the product line of his business. He is also very active in his community and church and generously supports their causes, charities and initiatives. “Since I was 12-years-old working in my aunt’s bakery, I always knew that I wanted to own my own cookie factory,” said Cason. “Being inducted into the Bakers Hall of Fame is such an honor and makes me realize all of my dreams have come to fruition.”
Since its launch in 2006, the Baking Hall of Fame will have enshrined 76 individuals with the 2017 class. They come from all walks of life in the baking industry — from bakeries, allied equipment and ingredient suppliers, schools, service organizations and publishers. Their accomplishments can be read at www.asbe.org/hall-of-fame/baking-hall-fame-inductees-year.
