Today (Saturday, September 14) is the last day voting slips will be printed in The Press for our Best Bakery competition.
Readers have until Wednesday (September 18) to get their votes in for counting before we crown a winner the week commencing September 23.
Over the past two weeks we have told the stories behind each of the 10 bakeries nominated by our readers.
Husband-and-wife team Rachel and Adam Chambers explained how they brought a splash of pink to Walmgate to open Little Blondie Bakehouse two years ago.
The “small business with a big heart” has attracted a loyal customer base, who enjoy the selection of goods baked fresh every morning, Rachel said.
Nicky and Al Kippax told us how they started Bluebird Bakery in 2011 from their home in Bishophill and have since grown the business to sites across York, Malton and Leeds.
Everything is made by hand, they said after their Acomb café was nominated, “so the fact that customers value our products enough to nominate us means a lot.”
Dave Sturgess, who took over Dough in Bootham eight years ago, said the bakery has become known for its variety of bread, especially sourdough.
Loyal customers visit every weekend to pick up their freshly baked sourdough loaves, he explained.
Sourdough is also a favourite at Haxby Bakehouse, which husband-and-wife team Phil and Tina Clayton started 16 years ago.
“We’re not aiming to make our bread middle-of-the-road,” said Phil. “We’re trying to get as much flour in the bread as we can.”
Meanwhile, the Coffee Pod in Bishopthorpe was nominated by our readers which came as a surprise to owner Jeni Wood – because she does not class her business as a bakery.
Jeni said she bakes pastries and sausage rolls – which customers are “quite addicted to” – that are supplied by local businesses, in addition to some cakes and sweet treats which she makes herself.
Mara Cioineag told how us how she opened Sweet Dreams Bakery, in George Hudson Street, with her husband Dainius Laurusevicius two months ago, saying it was their “dream” to do so.
Sourdough was back on the menu at Cosgriff and Sons, in Tower Street – in fact everything on the bakery’s menu is made with it.
Read more about some of the nominees:
- This ‘small business with a big heart’ is hoping to be crowned York’s best bakery
- York bakery is praised for its sourdough – and one of the best in York, say readers
- York bakery where everything is made with sourdough is one of the best, say readers
"I'd always loved making bread – it was my release, my passion – so I started doing that,” said Paul Cosgriff who opened the business with his partner Janet Bruce.
At Heppni Bakeri, in Swinegate, owner India Luck told us how she opened the business two months ago after training in York and beyond.
“I always wanted to have my own place,” she explained.
Fred Thomas, who opened Fred’s Home Bakery in Albemarle Road 44 years ago, explained how he has served generations of customers over the years.
The bakery “sells everything”, he said, including products made using the recipes he learned at Terry’s and new crazes like sourdough bread.
And, finally, we told how Browns of Heslington has become popular for its selection of freshly baked bread and sandwiches.
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