Baker in the bay

Aim: I'm redeveloping the former Christian bookshop in Whitley Bay into the 'Baker in the Bay': an artisan bakery inspired by Hanseatic baking.

I am a qualified German pastry chef and baker, I have experience of over 20 years of working in London's top kitchens. I also have 10 years experience running my own successful food business. Having moved to Whitley Bay for a better life for my children I have reignited my passion for baking. I set up a micro bakery in January in my house and sold successfully for 4 months out my back gate. During this time I built up a customer base, worked out what people wanted and built good relationships with local suppliers. I outgrew my back room and have now found a shop to rent. The shop is big enough to make all the products I need for the customers but also space to grow so I can take on more wholesale customers. The double glass front means that passers by can watch us all bake, and the space inside means they can then pop in for a coffee, cake and chat.  Once set up I aim to make links with local colleges to provide work experience and apprenticeship roles for young people. 

My vision is to be part of local people's lives: where they buy their bread, pop in for a coffee and a cinnamon bun on their way to work and buy their cakes for special occasions. Once set up I will make further links with other food businesses to provide wholesale products: business supporting business across Whitley Bay. 

This project successfully funded on 7th July 2024