Berwick woman turns lockdown baking hobby into new Spittal bakehouse
A Berwick woman has turned years of hospitality experience and a lockdown hobby into her very own bakehouse.
Alice Gilroy has worked in cafes across the North East for over eight years, developing a passion for baking during the pandemic.
Starting out as a barista, her most recent role at Northern Edge in Berwick saw her promoted to baker where her creations proved a hit with the locals.
Alice said: "I've always been a bit of a keen baker, but when I got stuck in the house for months, it gave me the chance to take it up properly.
“When the baker left at Northern Edge, I jumped at the chance, and I have had nothing but compliments since taking over.
“Everything that goes out just got rave reviews which made me realise I'm actually good at this.”
Now, Alice has taken the leap to launch her very own business, Driftwood Bakehouse, located at Meantime Workshops in Spittal.
Formerly vegan cafe, Karmic Cakery, Alice hopes to continue to cater to a variety of dietary requirements whilst putting her own spin on the place.
“Everyone kept putting the idea in my head for me to go on my own and I’ve been toying with the idea for a while,” she added.
“I will still be offering some vegan, some gluten-free, like a mixed bag, but I'll also be doing everything else.
"I’m quite famous for my empire biscuits so I’ll definitely be doing those.”
Planned to open sometime in the autumn, Driftwood Bakehouse will operate as a micro-coffee shop and bakery with limited seating as well as offerings cakes and bakes to order.