One of my earliest highlights from working in the hospitality industry in London was always the early morning delivery of bread and pastries from the bakery; little did I know that my life was going to be in bread.
Relocating to Ludlow in the 1990’s, I was in the right place at the right time to get involved with Ludlow’s emergence as the foodie HQ of the UK. This was built on the foundation of small, independent businesses who did things the old way; great service, personal attention, and breads made with slow, overnight fermentation that resulted in flavours that modern, industrial baking with all it’s shortcuts and “dough improvers” can never achieve. I learnt the methods and recipes from the old bakers who remembered their father’s stories of mixing dough in pre-electric mixers and delivering bread by horse and cart. The flavour of those overnight loaves was outstanding and kept generations of Ludlow families returning to the shop.
Looking back this was a revolutionary time and I was a member of the Chamber of Commerce when the famous Ludlow Food Festival was launched in 1995, and joined the Festival committee the following year. I brought the perspective of being a Real Bread baker to the core aim of the festival, which has always been to support and promote the finest local food and drink producers of Ludlow and the Welsh Marches.
During my time in Ludlow there were many highlights; being chosen as a Local Food Hero by Rick Stein, running a baking workshop with Will Holland at La Becasse, baking at the Intercontinental Hotel in Mayfair as part of Ludlow comes to London, but what really stands out is becoming part of the food and drink community. Over the years, I have been fortunate to win many awards for my loaves; Waitrose Small Food Producer, Baking Industry Best Speciality Bread, World Bread Awards and twice Herefordshire Food Producer of the year.
Being able to collaborate with brewers, cider makers, and cheese makers and use their fantastic produce in my breads is something I am immensely proud of. Today the friendships and connections I have built with the best local food producers and my passion for Real Bread is stronger than ever in the campaign to reconnect customers with the quality food that we need.
Peter Cooks Bread opened up it’s doors in 2014 and is built on a passion for Real Bread and a has mission to share it with the local community. We have attracted like minded people; creative, experienced staff that are the powerhouse behind new flavours and innovational creations.. If you would like to know more or join us, get in touch.
You’ll find our bread and pastries on the shelves of delicatessens, farm shops and butchers across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire, as well as on the menu of many of the local cafes and restaurants. You can also visit our online shop and have our products delivered to the door.
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