Good afternoon everyone,
First of all a reminder that the upcoming week is our last before we close for four weeks. Ordering in advance is recommended and also hugely appreciated.
Earlier today we held our inaugural Cake Salon in the Covered Market. The response was truly overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who came down. Next time we will make more cake. Much more cake.
No cake as such on the pastry counter next week, but following the response to our last event, the scone stall, we are excited to be debuting scones with house made jam and cream. These will be available on Friday and Saturday next week. The cheese scones, which are fast becoming a staple, will be on for the whole week.
The bakery opened in early October 2018, and with our long summer break part of the business plan from the word go, thinking in terms of the school / academic calendar has become second nature. So, as August looms, as well as hatching plans for September, we look back and reflect. Our seventh year has been one of extremes. We approached September 2024 full of optimism, only to be faced with a staff shortage which progressed precipitously to an existential crisis. In order to keep going we had to become a three day a week operation. We were forced to ask fundamental questions about the way we worked and organised the bakery. There really were times when we wondered if we could keep going. That we were able to is chiefly down to your loyalty and understanding, the adaptability and hard work of our team, the support of friends and family, and a herculean effort from Kate to juggle our resources and keep the bread coming.
Despite the challenges there has been much to celebrate personally, with a wedding, a first birthday and a fiftieth. The Covered Market shop has started to find its groove. Our events programme has expanded and allowed us and the team to stretch our wings.
We remain profoundly grateful to be able to do something we truly love, and we hope to be able to do so for many more years.
Thank you so much and if we don't see you in the shop next week, have a wonderful summer.
Kate and Hugo