FOOD + DRINK
© Saltwick Media
THE BICYCLE BAKERY
ONE MAN USING HIS ULTIMATE SKILL AND EXPERTISE TO TAP INTO THE SOURDOUGH TREND AND BEYOND FROM THE HEART OF ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS …
THE ART OF FOOD
One fine spring day in March 2014 , leafy Tunbridge Wells changed forever . The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries wafted out and across The Pantiles enticing unwitting customers into The Bicycle Bakery for the very first time . But who was responsible for this town-changing event ? After leaving the restaurant and hotel industry as a renowned pastry chef , Jamie Tandoh had been questioning the standards of bread in the area for some time . He knew he had the skills , talent and experience to change this , and thus , blessed the royal spa town with his brand new venture : The Bicycle Bakery .
With one wish to combine his love for fine French patisserie and sourdough baking seeing him wake up as early as 2am to begin a day ’ s baking , Jamie cycles to the bakery to prep the goods . It is clear that passion and commitment to his craft drives him through his long days , but Jamie tells us community is also at the heart of what he does . Jamie has indeed delighted the people of Tunbridge Wells by opening the town ’ s first sourdough bakery and has amassed a vast collection of loyal customers who travel from across Kent and beyond to sample his sweet crumbly croissants , fluffy breads , exquisite sourdough and more .
By focusing on the traditional methods of baking bread , each unique loaf that Jamie creates is not only appealing to the eye but also just as divine to the tastebuds . “ Golden and glorious is how I ’ d describe my butter-brushed white sourdoughs ,” Jamie tells us . “ I make them the ‘ slow dough ’ way , using time , love and skill to produce the perfectly formed sourdough bread .” Although it is the sourdough that proves to be the The Bicycle Bakery ’ s trendy piece-de-resistance , it is not just this product that the bakery has become so loved for .
The cruffin - a muffin-croissant hybrid - seems to be on its way up the baking popularity chart , and of course , Jamie has incorporated these onto the magnificent portfolio by utilising his sheer expertise and creativity . “ Our cruffins are beautiful flaky layers of laminated croissant dough , filled with a smooth passion fruit curd and raspberries , topped off with silky smooth Italian meringue .” Not only do these delicacies of deliciousness sound and taste heavenly , they are also an artform in presentation . Jamie perfectly demonstrates how pastry chefs are also artists on every sensual level .
Bicycle Bakery also embraces the best of Kent , both supplying and using local businesses . In April this year ,
The Bicycle Bakery made bespoke Easter eggs for The Cave Canterbury and customers can stop by not only for a baked piece of heaven , but also a freshly ground cup of strong quality Kentish coffee . “ We ’ re proud to be serving what we think is the absolute best coffee for miles around - Pharmacie Coffee Roasters ( www . pharmacie . coffee ) and Northiam Dairy ( www . northiamdairy . co . uk ) dairy products . Our coffees are therefore the perfectly blended caffeine pickme-up ,” Jamie adds .
To anyone that has experienced The Bicycle Bakery , it is clear Jamie is an artist in his own right . “ If you don ’ t enjoy what you ’ re doing , why do it ?” Says Jamie , whose passion seeps into every bread , bake and pastry he creates .
www . bicycle-bakery . com
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