"Jan and I took over the running of the Business in 1979 after my parents retired. Being a second generation Master Baker we always took our craft seriously and adopted it as a way of life and not a job of work.

"We believe our products to be of superior quality made using traditional processes and techniques. This makes us one of the few true artisan bakers in the north east of England. We are also proud members of The Northumbria Larder.

"As well as our many successful product lines, we pride ourselves on being able to provide any bespoke product which would satisfy our customers' special requirements.

"For more than 25 years we resisted the urge to involve ourselves in wholesale but succumbed to pressure to service some of the most up market hotels and restaurants in our region.

"Since then we have steadily increased our customer base at one time supplying 107 supermarkets with our famous "Broon Ale Bread" and Genuine Geordie Stotties. We now supply many well known eateries and other food businesses in the north east. Our customers know that their association with us guarantees their status as companies who care about good honest food made to a high standard.

"We have a team of 15 who responded well to our investment in skills rather than machinery. This makes us extremely adaptable and able to produce goods of the highest quality.

"In latter years we have become better known for our speciality breads such as Newcastle "Broon Ale" Bread, Sunflower and Lemon Bread and Italian Stonecuts. This has earned us appearances on T.V. and radio in children's programs, road shows and Gary Rhodes around Britain. Our expertise has also allowed us to make food for stars and celebrities, as well as film set products for the Catherine Cookson series of dramas."

"We also had great fun when invited to take part in Ready Steady Cook using our Newcastle "Broon" bread and Brioche and were given the opportunity to talk about our products."

Ian Thomson