LOTS of London Bakery News
A new market, new bakeries, sensational chocolate & something I'm eating lately.
The cognitive gymnastics to write about “exciting bakery news” when the actual news is flooded with more horrors every week… It feels kind of like putting on a false persona, one that ignores all of humanity’s suffering.
Someone told me that they didn’t know why I was surprised that the world wasn’t fair; that the greater system has always been about power and control, and each country’s actions are always to preserve or gain position and resources. I replied that I’m not surprised, but knowing things like this can - and even will - happen shouldn’t stop us feeling sad and angry when they do.
I won’t preface every email like this because I like to think you all know that I’d be part of the most people who are horrified by any violence and pain inflicted on others, but I just couldn’t send another email about the joys of delicious food without at least acknowledging the juxtaposition of this, with the world beyond my bubble.
I keep writing not just because we cling to normality, but because I want to keep promoting individuals - and their businesses - making delicious food to nourish and bring joy to their community. That’s the micro positive influence I know how to have on the world; just as these businesses are looking after their staff and the people in their supply chains well. I hope more people will send money in their direction, rather than less ethical alternatives, when choosing what to feed themselves and their loved ones.
I’m glad that not everyone believes that the current system is unchangeable and I am grateful for all of the people I observe taking brave and powerful actions.
I’m currently watching the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale and remembering how
said that nothing she wrote had not already been done before, or is happening now…
I intend to keep this as a space that’s a break from the news, going forwards, but thanks for listening to me deviate before I get back to food. Thanks for reading each week and thanks for all I’m sure you’re doing in whatever way you can to be a force for good, even if all that is right now is to contact your MP, buy from more ethical businesses, donate to people on the ground, or raise a child with kindness .
Comments on this post are only available to paid subscribers (it’s the only option Substack offer once I put any content for paid subscribers only, as I have done this week), but if you want to continue this conversation, or recommend other people doing the work to disrupt these systems and educate people, or places to donate time or money, I’ve shared this in Notes (the Twitter-like area within Substack). Please tap that link and add your replies there. If you got this via email you can always reply and I’ll share anything that might help other people there or in my Instagram stories.
And, again, if you’re in the UK, you can write to your MP for free via this link.
Back to the usual food content…
Yes, it’s…
Exciting London Bakery News
1. NYC’s Radio Bakery chef Kelly Mencin is coming to Toad Bakery in Camberwell this Friday and Saturday for one item only from 10am.
📌 44 Peckham Rd, London SE5 8PX
🚆 Peckham Rye / Denmark Hill
2. Also in Camberwell, Hello Jojo in Camberwell is opening the bakery to the public this Saturday from 8am. I wrote about the restaurant here.
📌 31 Camberwell Church St, London SE5 8TR
🚆 Denmark Hill
Populations Bakery is open - in a small way, so far - as part of Soho House owner’s new delicatessen cafe and soon-to-be luxury hotel near Somerset House / Temple Station. I can’t wait to visit.
📌 180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA
🚆 Temple
And…
4. KERB is launching its first local produce market!
Of course there will be street traders, too.
But for the first time there will be a selection of produce traders so locals and visitors can get their weekly shop.
I’m excited to have had a small hand in curating this alongside Miranda York. Miranda was an original organiser of Maltby Street Market and the founder of Druid Street Market. As well as the co-founder of At The Table.
I’m particularly excited that Land Chocolate (on my list of now 55 British & Irish Bean to Bar Chocolate Makers) will have a stall and, as well as their bars, there will be baked goods, ice cream and drinks, all made with their Chocolate!
I bought almost all of the items baker Katy made at a recent pop up and particularly loved the marshmallow rice crispy cookie which will be at the market, and the cakes.
There will also be freshly baked bread from Wild Grains and böreks and more baked deliciousness from Liv of Liv’s Baked Goodies, plus mushrooms and fruit and vegetables, cheese, meat, pickles, Jones Crumpets, dog treats and more.
Each week there will be a pop up, too. Best to follow Kerb’s Instagram for these announcements, but if something extra special catches my eye, I’ll try to tell you about it here, too.
From 10am, every Saturday from 5th July
📌 Francis Road, E10
🚆 Leyton Midland / Leyton
Black Forest Gateau Croissant
You’ve got the rest of the month to try Popham’s June special. I absolutely loved the balance of the filling. Cherry, chocolate and cake is one of my favourite combinations.
Date for our Subscriber Summer Picnic
If you’d like to join a lovely bunch of people in a London square we’ll be meeting at 1pm on Saturday 2nd August. It’s open to all paid subscribers and each can bring a guest. Children welcome, too.
You’re welcome to join just as a paid subscriber for a month and cancel afterwards. There’s no other cost to the picnic. We’ll either be bringing food to share or you can bring your own food - we will work out what’s best for people a few weeks before, and a combination is fine, too. I want everyone to feel comfortable!
I’ll remind you again in mid-July.
Fingers crossed for nice weather… Depending on numbers I’ll see what alternative plans I can make!
The rest of the email has some more London plus non-London recommendations!
For paid subscribers this week about the same amount of content below the line (next week I’ll try to write less!):
My thoughts on a new bakery and a new cupcake shop in West London. If you have the London 2025 Bread & Croissant Map, the bakery is already visible on it and the cupcake shop will be in the next update of the London 2025 Cakes, Cookies & More Map on or before 1st July. I’ve included menu, prices and pictures further down in this post.
An incredible Thai craft chocolate bar I tried recently that you can probably order from most countries, and
A product I rediscovered recently that’s reasonably high in protein, minimally processed, plant based, fermented and delicious.