Reasons to be grateful
As bakers, we’re always looking forward. Excitement about the future – the next dough, the next day, the next year – is baked into our DNA (which is our secret weapon when it comes to loving a job that starts at 4am).
But before we hurtle into a new year, we’ve been indulging in a glance back at the best bits of 2022. Here are some of the reasons why we feel like lucky bakers indeed.
Aubin Joseph Adams, our treasured grandson, arrived. He’s got bakers’ hands and the spirit of a true northerner: all giggles in every situation.
Experts we respect gave us awesome awards. Food Producer of the Year (Cumbria Food Awards); Britain’s Best Wholegrain for our Malted Barley (Britain’s Best Loaf Awards); Speciality Bread of the Year for our Malted Barley Tin (Baking Industry Awards); Best bread for our Danish Rugbrød (Great British Food Awards); Artisan Producer of the Year (Cumbria Life People’s Choice Awards).
The Lovingly Bread Truck rolled into HQ. Soon to be seen spreading loaves and deliciousness up hill and down dale – as soon as its epic makeover is completed.
We made some croissants. They were not just any croissants. Inspired by a beautiful pastry-makers’ butter made from grass-fed Normandy milk, Aidan tweaked his croissant recipe and created a classic. Tears have been known to fall when the Belgian chocolate ones run out.
Aidan bought a Land Rover. Channelling his inner Action Man, Mr Monks fulfilled a lifetime’s ambition.
We went to Tebay Services. And stayed. We’re now delivering daily to the Farmshops at Britain’s most celebrated motorway services on the M6, as well as its sister business Rheged on the A66 near Penrith.
Kendal Farmers Market went from strength to strength. On the last Friday of every month, we worked alongside our community of local farmers and makers to transform Kendal’s Market Place into a fab foodie day out. We’re only just getting started…
We made new friends at nursery. Taking part in their Apple Weekend, then setting up home in our very own chalet at their Christmas Market, we were welcomed with open arms by the lovely folks at Beetham Nurseries.
Booths came calling. The great Northern grocers celebrated its 175th anniversary by opening a dedicated Lovingly Artisan bread counter in its Kendal store. Well, that’s how we’re telling it, anyway. Talk about proud!
Sharing bread gave us hope and joy. Thanks to the amazing volunteers from Waste into Wellbeing, a Kendal-based charity that distributes surplus food to people in need, we were able to donate unsold loaves through a community food larder and the Kendal People’s Café. They say kindness costs nothing, but it’s the time, skills and generosity of volunteers like these that give it real value and potency. Respect. And huge thanks to everyone involved.
We sold bread to the most wonderful customers in the world. Without you, most of the above would not have been possible. We are SO grateful and we love you all to bits.
Happy New Year!
Aidan, Catherine, Dean and Ailish xxx
