Roots to Real Bread to unpick the current challenges and opportunities of creating additive-free bread in the UK

10-Jan-2024 - Last updated on 12-Jan-2024 at 09:42 GMT

'Roots to Real Bread is an opportunity to chat with likeminded people whose eyes light up when you start banging on about bread.' Pic: GettyImages/nerudol

The Real Bread Campaign and Roots to Work are hosting a business networking event, which will enable bakers – whether just starting out or developing as a Real Bread baker – to network with likeminded peers.

According to Real Bread Campaign coordinator Chris Young, Roots to Real Bread will be an opportunity for ‘old hands to talk with each other about current challenges and opportunities, pick each other’s brains, nod knowingly about how hard it is to find staff, grit teeth about rising costs and so on - all with people whose eyes light up when you start banging on about bread.'

The event is the latest collaboration between the Real Bread Campaign and Roots to Work, both projects of the food and farming charity Sustain.

Real Bread Week

While everyone is welcome, it is particularly geared towards people who make their living from Real Bread, including microbakeries, small bakery owners, retail/wholesale bakers and bakery students. It is being hosted during the campaign’s annual Real Bread Week (16-25 February).

Real Bread Campaign’s vision is a future in which everyone has the chance to choose real bread. Work towards this involves championing additive-free bread and the people who make it, as well as challenging obstacles to their rise. Supporting activity includes the Knead to Know…more business handbook, The Real Bread Loaf Mark scheme, the Real Bread For All initiative and the Real Bread Map.

It's also a week dedicated to promoting the joys of authentic, homemade bread and encouraging people to bake it.

Event lineup

Networking event Getty Morsa Images — Pic: GettyImages/Morsa Images

At Roots to Real Bread, several speakers will provide their unique insight into the industry, including:

Alexandre Bettler, owner of Today Bread in Walthamstow
Leo Maxlhaieie owner/head baker of Leo the Baker in Sevenoaks, Kent
Jackie McKinson, owner/head baker of Aries Bakehouse in Brixton
Eddy Sleiman, Real Bread Campaign ambassador and owner/head baker of Ed Baker in Lewisham
Chris Young will join Sareta Puri of Sustain’s Roots to Work on stage to outline some of the work the charity does in support of small businesses.

The floor will also be opened to all, to ask questions or share their own experiences.

Roots to Real Bread is being held on 20 February, from 6pm-9pm at Today Bread in Walthamstow. Booking is essential and tickets – priced on a sliding scale from £5 to £15 – includes a light supper.