Alice Pope launched Alice’s Artisan Bakery in October last year, using her experience from an apprenticeship at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s renowned River Cottage Canteen in Winchester and a top Mediterranean restaurant, to begin supplying artisan bread in the North-East.
Initially starting on the premises of Allendale Bakery in Spartylea, Alice returned closer to her roots in Hexham in March this year.
Alice, whose parents run Hexham’s Deli At No. 4, is now running her business from the kitchen of the Hextol Foundation on Gilesgate – a charitable company which provides working opportunities for people who have a learning disability or mental health condition.
Alice, a former student of Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School, works there as a kitchen supervisor on the days she is not baking.
From there, she bakes bread to order and supplies local businesses Deli At No. 4, Hextol Tans on St Mary’s Chare and The Paddock at Rowlands Gill.
And now Alice is thrilled to have been named in a list of the top five bread bakers in Northumberland by the online food and drink blog Foodful.
“It’s definitely positive for me and a step in the right direction – and it’s always nice when someone compliments your bread,” Alice said.
CEO of the Hextol Foundation Bruce Howorth said: “It is great to see a young entrepreneur embarking on a new venture and we have been thrilled to be able to help Alice by allowing her to occupy part of our kitchen.
“The aroma of fresh bread coming from the kitchen has been a welcome bonus!”
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