Bread Ahead Bakery

Matthew Jones (pictured) is bringing his Bread Ahead Bakery (www.breadahead.com) to the historic Southwark Cathedral in a return to the borough where it all began...

BACKGROUND

Bread Ahead is the realisation of Matthew Jones’ combined experience Matthew Jones’ combined experience working in some of the country’s best working in some of the country’s best kitchens with his passion for making great breads easily accessible for all. Since launching Bread Ahead in 2013, Since launching Bread Ahead in 2013, has gone on to establish himself as one of the nation’s best bakers supplying of the nation’s best bakers supplying London and the UK with the freshest London and the UK with the freshest breads and fi nest patisserie from his London bakeries. London bakeries.

Back in 2013, the business was initially set up as a wholesale bakery initially set up as a wholesale bakery and retail outlet. A year later saw the and retail outlet. A year later saw the introduction of the Bread Ahead Bakery introduction of the Bread Ahead Bakery School that has led bread making School that has led bread making workshops to over 25,000 people in person as well as an additional in person as well as an additional 34,000 online across 50+ countries. 34,000 online across 50+ countries. These courses off er insight into how These courses off er insight into how to make various diff erent types of to make various diff erent types of bread from all over the world as well as bread from all over the world as well as sweet patisserie options too (there are sweet patisserie options too (there are currently fi ve London sites - three of currently fi ve London sites - three of which house the Baking Schools with which house the Baking Schools with more planned to open soon). more planned to open soon).

Matthew Jones says that he became interested in cooking at a very young interested in cooking at a very young age. Seasonality and locality were also age. Seasonality and locality were also both of utmost importance for him both of utmost importance for him growing up, he emphasises, as most growing up, he emphasises, as most of his meals were governed by what of his meals were governed by what was ripe and available from his family was ripe and available from his family allotment, thus creating a respect for allotment, thus creating a respect for organic produce which has helped organic produce which has helped shape the ethos of Bread Ahead today. shape the ethos of Bread Ahead today.

He then went on to begin his working life as a chef, stating throughout his twenties that he was “on a mission to work for some of the best people in the country”. This saw him work under the renowned Sean Hill, Simon Hopkinson at Bibendum and John Torode - for whom he was head pastry chef and baker at Mezzo. Other engagements took him to The Square, Quaglinos and Le Pont de la Tour.

However, his entrepreneurial flair became evident during the Flour Power Bakery years (1999 - 2010). Over that time his first business grew to a considerable size employing 80 people whilst he also gained the experience necessary to launch his current business and brainchild - Bread Ahead.

LATEST PROJECT

This month will now see the launch of an exclusive six-month residency of Bread Ahead at Southwark Cathedral Café in London. A short walk from Borough Market, where Matthew Jones opened the very first Bread Ahead back in 2013, the residency will run until February and is set to showcase a number of new menu items.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be opening up a new space at the Southwark Cathedral, just a stone’s throw from our beloved Borough Market,” says Matthew Jones.

“The residency will see us showcase all your Bread Ahead favourites alongside a list of new menu items. We can’t wait to welcome you all!”

The café will be open daily from 8:30am to 6:00pm serving breakfast and lunch, with a seasonal menu that plans to highlight the very best of British produce, and in a bid to support the local business community that Matthew Jones has long been a part of, he says that he and his team will also be sourcing the bulk of their ingredients from fellow Borough Market business owners and traders.

A selection of traditional breakfast dishes will be on the menu, all made fresh on site, and including the Bread Ahead bacon sandwich, poached eggs and smashed avocado on freshly baked sourdough among other plates.

Freshly baked patisserie, including Bread Ahead’s signature doughnuts and cinnamon buns will take centre stage in the late morning, while salads, soups, and light sandwiches can be selected for lunch. A curated list of wines and beers, as well as hot and cold drinks, including coffee from Notes roasters, will be on offer throughout the day.

CATHEDRAL LOCATION

Located within the Southwark Cathedral grounds, the new site will seat up to 60 guests within its bright and spacious dining room. A generous, enclosed suntrap courtyard also has space for a further 60 guests with a view of the Cathedral’s gardens and north facing facade. In addition, Bread Ahead will be able to provide bespoke catering to anyone who hires any of the Cathedral’s private rooms for meetings or events.

The Dean of Southwark, the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, commented: “We are looking forward to working even more closely with these amazing bakers who have been such supportive friends already with our annual Lammas Day service and their participation in so many community events.”

Southwark Cathedral is the earliest gothic church in London and has had a relationship with Borough Market over millennia. Set alongside the Thames it has counted William Shakespeare as a parishioner and now serves The Church of England in south London and East Surrey.

News of the launch also follows the announcement of Bread Ahead’s latest book - Bread Ahead: The Expert Home Baker - which features 100 fool-proof, classic baking recipes, with both sweet and savoury staples and plenty of seasonal favourites.