News that KNEAD Bakery is opening on Oxford High Street has gathered speed, locals already hugely excited about welcoming the independent bakery and cafe to the city.
But what’s in store and why the hype? Perhaps because KNEAD has made such a big impression in Cirencester, Tebury and Elkstone in Gloucestershire, because this is its first city centre site, or because the reputations of founders and patissiers John Hawes and Kris Biggs – The Baker Boys – precedes them.
And yet Oxford will still be their biggest site to date, situated in the former Hobbs store and opening its doors on June 24.
‘everything will be baked on site in Oxford and tested before it goes out. we believe Our produce is superior to everyone else’s’
“While we have ambitions to see a KNEAD on every High Street, Oxford is a test point for us. But we are really confident about opening there because it’s one of the best known cities in the world, so it’s an entirely different kettle of fish but we are really excited about making it work,” John and Kris say.
The pair met as pastry chefs at the 5 star, 2 Michelin starred hotel Whatley Manor in The Cotswolds in 2015, creating high end desserts, patisseries, cakes and more.
When John left to work in the family butchery business and decided to convert one half of their Cirencester shop into a bakery, Kris came on board immediately, alongside David Hawes, John’s twin brother.
“We had no idea what to expect when we opened Cirencester but when we peeked through the blinds on the opening morning there were 50 people queueing outside. We’d decided that if we could sell 60 croissants a day we could make ends meet but we were selling 400-500,” they say incredulously. “We had to keep turning round and telling the bakers to make more.”
‘Oxford is a test point for us, But we are really confident about opening there because it’s one of the best known cities in the world’
One look at their offering and you can see why, towers of award winning pecan and maple danish, macarons, focaccia sandwiches groaning with goodies, chocolate and orange tiffins, artisan baguettes, filled crumble croissants, lemon and rose bundt cakes, Gloucester Old Spot pork sausage rolls and Basque cheesecakes to name but a few, tempting you from their windows.
“What we do is make great quality, tasty produce, classics with flavour, all made with passion, food that people actually want to eat,” John says.
Two more premises in Tetbury and Elkstone followed, as well as KNEAD on Wheels, a mobile shop in rural villages. But why this great renaissance in bakeries and cafes, and how is KNEAD going to take on the big boys, the Greggs, Gails, Prets and Costas of this world?
“We have a great price point. You can come and have a coffee and a cake, or a sandwich, without breaking the bank, but also everything will be baked on site in Oxford and tested before it goes out. We believe our produce is superior to everyone else’s, and we sell lots of unique offerings that you just can’t find anywhere else, as well as seasonal specials,” Kris explains.
‘we make great quality, tasty produce, classics with flavour, all made with passion, food that people actually want to eat’
“And Oxford has a young following, because of all the students, that are already into the whole coffee/bakery culture.
“We also use Too Good To Go at the end of every day (where any excess produce is sold on an app for a huge discount) to make sure all our produce is completely fresh everyday.”
‘we can’t wait to see what Oxford thinks. It’s really exciting’
But it’s not all cakes and pastries at Knead – lunch options include mezze plates, salads, ciabattas and filled baguettes which you can eat in or takeaway, KNEAD‘s Oxford site boasting 24 covers inside.
John and Kris say the feedback has already been great about the upcoming opening. “People seem really excited to have something new, independent and different on their High Street, so we can’t wait to see what Oxford thinks. It’s really exciting.”
KNEAD Bakery will be at 115 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BX https://kneadbakery.co.uk
