How to turn your Real Bread baking skills into a booming business

01-Jun-2021 - Last updated on 01-Jun-2021 at 12:18 GMT

Pics: Matt Townley © Lucas Smith Photography / Sonya Hundal © Joel Blevins, Woodbarn Media / Ian Waterland © Knead Good Bread / Jane Mason © Andrew Martinez-Crowther

Related tags Real bread campaign microbakery SME Sustain webinar

The Real Bread Campaign is hosting a free webinar to inspire budding bakers to take the leap into creating a flourishing business selling authentic, preservative-free breads.

Presented in association with Sustain’s job site Roots To Work, the Microbakery 101 webinar coincides with the launch of a crowdfunding campaign for ‘Knead to Know’, the 10th anniversary expanded edition of the Real Bread Campaign’s microbakery handbook.

On 6 July at 14h00 GMT, four microbakery experts will jump online to share their extensive on-the-ground knowledge on market research; advertising/promotion; business planning; health and safety, insurance; legal issues; and money matters.

The experts

Sonya Hundal of Greenfield Bakers gives her perspective of running a wood-fired sourdough bakery in a converted stable in rural Lincolnshire. A self-taught baker, Hundal has been successfully ‘burning’ bakes in her Le Panyol direct-fire bread oven since 2008. The weekly bake-to-order for customers has continued through the pandemic, with courses and events due to begin again in the summer.

Jane Mason of Virtuous Bread details the five essential steps to follow before setting up a microbakery. Jane Mason: Jane Mason set up Virtuous Bread in 2010 to effect positive social change through bread. Since 2010, Mason has been training people on how to make bread, how to sell bread, and how to set up and run a small business.

Matt Townley of One Mile Bakery Hale in Greater Manchester will examine some of today’s tools for success, such as a subscription drive, local delivery and hosting classes. A former primary school teacher, Townley runs his classes as ‘a really fun, inspirational day away from the stresses of busy lives’ and combines his passion for baking with his interest in homebrewing.

Ian Waterland of Knead Good Bread delves into what sets a business apart and how to communicate this to the consumer. Initially selling from The Bread Bus, the Leicestershire bakery has evolved into a successful subscription and delivery model. Waterland also runs mindful bread and therapeutic baking courses at The School of Artisan Food.

Each speaker will give a 10 minute overview, after which attendees will have the chance to engage in a Q&A. This will be followed by a forum to share their own experiences.

The webinar will be hosted by Real Bread Campaign coordinator and Knead to Know author Chris Young.

Tickets are free but booking is essential.