A “small business with a big heart” is hoping to be crowned York’s best bakery.
Little Blondie Bakehouse was nominated by Press readers for our Best Bakery competition – celebrating the best of the best in the city.
Readers can vote for the Best Bakery 2024 by picking up copies of The Press newspaper until Saturday, September 14, with the winner set to be announced the week of Monday, September 23.
Little Blondie Bakehouse – run by husband-and-wife team Rachel and Adam Chambers – brought a splash of pink to Walmgate when it opened two years ago.
Over 40 goods are baked fresh every morning, with everything from croissants and pastries to cinnamon buns, New York style cookies and, of course, brownies and blondies on the menu.
Also for sale is Dark Woods and Harmony coffee which Rachel said have been popular with customers.
The business has built up a strong customer base, with many eager for a piece of its much-loved cornflake brownie and carrot cake.
“We value our customers, especially our regular local customers – they are our base,” Rachel explained, adding that the business is also popular with students. “We don’t get a lot of tourists in Walmgate.
“We’re not in the centre of town so we almost have to work a bit harder to get a good customer base.
“We’re a small business with a big heart.”
As well as running its popular bakehouse, Little Blondie supplies bakes to business in the area. These include Divine Coffee Roasters, in Micklegate; The Devine Project, in Market Street; Grub, in Badger Hill; North South, in Bootham; Old Liquor Store, in the old Terry’s factory; Red Goat, in Layerthorpe; Tasca Frango, in Colliergate; and Terrington Stores and Tea Room.
Rachel, 36, and Adam, 33, both worked in hospitality before opening Little Blondie Bakehouse.
The pair managed restaurants from about 22 after meeting in Newcastle, then moved to York to continue working in the industry.
Rachel started baking from home during lockdown before opening bakehouse of her own
In lockdown Rachel started baking from home and supplying goods to businesses, which led to her delivering to companies across York and Ryedale.
After enjoying success with this she looked to open a bakehouse of her own with Adam.
“We both wanted to work for ourselves,” she said. “I loved baking; I always used to do things for friends and family.”
When asked what inspires her, Rachel replied, simply: “What I like.”
She added that she now also turns to social media for influence.
The bakehouse has two additional bakers (along with Rachel and Adam) as part of its eight-strong team.
These bakers, Rachel said, help keep the product selection unique by coming up with their own ideas.
“We give them the opportunity to make things.”
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