Bakery rises totheoccasion on shortlist for top award
A CARDIFF bakery serving up artisan bread and fresh patisserie has been named among the best in the UK.
Pettigrew Bakeries has reached the final four in the ‘Craft Bakery of the Year’ award at this year’s UK Baking Industry Awards.
The family-run business was launched eight years ago in a unit opposite Victoria Park and has since gone from strength to strength.
It now operates from three outposts across the capital, with their other two sites located in Roath and Castle Arcade in the city centre, and is a familiar weekly trader at Cardiff Farmers Markets.
Having visited bakeries across Britain, the judges of the Baking Industry Awards singled out Pettigrew Bakeries for its understanding of the craft bakery market and its innovative use of different models across its locations.
They also noted the business’s “really nice range of products that complemented each other”.
Amy North, editor of British Baker and head judge of the awards, said: “Our judges believe that everyone at Pettigrew Bakeries brought something unique to the business and were filled with passion and pride for the baked goods they produced.”
Founded by David Le Masurier, Pettigrew Bakeries is the sister brand of Pettigrew Tea Rooms, which is located in the Grade II listed West Lodge of Cardiff’s Bute Park and is renowned for its afternoon teas.
David opened Pettigrew Tea Rooms in spring 2012, after a highflying career in hotel management.
Driven by a long-standing desire to open his own tearoom, he decided to walk away from his job and make his dream a reality – charting his journey on his blog I Want to Bake Free.
On being a finalist in the prestigious awards, David said: “To even be shortlisted for this award is huge for us – there are some incredible craft bakeries out there across the UK.
“It’s an absolute testament to the hard work of our teams who genuinely take pride in baking from scratch every day, before the rest of the city has even woken up.
“As a small, family-owned business we are all absolutely thrilled to be finalists, and grateful to everyone who has supported the growth of our business along the way.”