Heppni Bakeri, Swinegate, nominated for Press Best Bakery

Despite being a new addition to the city, Heppni Bakeri, in Swinegate, has already been hailed as one of the best in York by Press readers who nominated it for our Best Bakery competition.

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.

India Luck, who owns Heppni Bakeri (Image: @bechudsonsmith)

India Luck, who owns Heppni Bakeri, said she was pleased to be nominated, particularly as the news came during the business’ very early stages.

“It was great,” the 26-year-old said. “We’re super happy – we’ve only been open for two months.”

Sweet treats by Heppni Bakeri which has been nominated for The Press Best Bakery competition (Image: Supplied)

India said she trained at Flori Bakery, in Scarcroft Road, then worked in London, Newcastle, the Midlands and abroad, before returning to York, where she grew up, to open Heppni Bakeri.

“I always wanted to have my own place,” she explained.

Bakes by Heppni Bakeri which has been nominated for The Press Best Bakery competition (Image: Supplied)

A large open plan kitchen is at the rear of Heppni, located in the former home of clothing store Giselle, where all the products are made using locally sourced ingredients.

“We make everything,” India said, adding that this even includes jam and custard.

Outside Heppni Bakeri which has been nominated for The Press Best Bakery competition (Image: Supplied)

Even the stools inside are made by a local carpenter, she explained.

The bakery’s products are inspired by India’s time working elsewhere.

She describes them as having a Scandi and French twist, with top sellers including pain au chocolates and cinnamon buns.

The bakery’s colourful interior also takes inspiration from places she has travelled to like Lisbon and a town on the northeast coast of Brazil called Olinda, she said.

Owner India Luck, left, at Heppni Bakeri which has been nominated for The Press Best Bakery competition (Image: Supplied)

It also has a spacious, simplistic feel which India said is a nod to Copenhagen, which she describes as “the capital of the world when it comes to baked goods”.

“That was quite a big inspiration for me,” she added.

Sweet treats at Heppni Bakeri which has been nominated for The Press Best Bakery competition (Image: Supplied)

Looking ahead, India said she hopes to open the bakery in the evenings for events with guest chefs.

And she is even planning to collaborate with Michelin star chef Tommy Banks, who owns the Black Swan at Oldstead, Roots in York and the Abbey Inn, Byland.

“It’s really cool considering it’s only been two months,” India said of the upcoming events.

Recommended reading:

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• Meet the woman behind a business selling sausage rolls ‘people are addicted to’

After nominations opened, Nigel Burton, editor of The Press, said: “Bakeries play an important role in York’s community. From freshly baked loaves in the morning to slices of cake in the afternoon, they brighten up our days.

“The Press wants to celebrate the people behind these businesses, who work hard to keep them here.

“That’s why we’re launching this competition to recognise the best of the best.”