A few weeks ago, a post popped up on my Facebook feed about a new gluten-free bakery opening. I often see posts about gluten-free bakeries, but they are never in my area, so I was quite surprised when I clicked on it and saw that it was in Wakefield.
Wakefield is only about eight miles from where I live and is very easy to reach by car or public transport. The bakery sounded very promising, as it planned to sell bread and savoury goods as well as sweet treats. Anyone who is gluten-free will know that even the best bread available in the shops is expensive and, although it is improving, it still is not quite like ordinary bread.
For several weeks, we were teased with posts showing trial bakes and messages saying that the bakery would be opening soon. Then, at last, the opening date was announced. It opened during the week, when I was unable to go, so we decided to visit on its first Saturday.
We found a disabled parking space just around the corner, although there are also some spaces directly outside the shop. A note for wheelchair users: there is one step into the shop and it is quite small inside, but we managed to get in with my attendant-propelled wheelchair.
The bakery opens at 10 am and, when we arrived at 10.30, there was already a huge queue that seemed to be growing by the minute. We queued for about half an hour just to reach the shop door, and by then there was very little left.
As we entered, we spotted one apple tart and a couple of slices of cheesecake in the fridge, although we could not see how many savoury items remained. Someone a little ahead of us bought the apple tart—oh no!—but we still had our eyes on the cheesecake. By the time we were served, there was only one slice left, so we quickly asked for it.
There was still some bread available, although the baguettes had sold out, so we bought a farmhouse-style loaf. There were also some enormous cheese and fruit scones. We took the last cheese scone and the second-to-last fruit one. Bagels and cinnamon buns were still available, but we thought it was only fair to leave something for the people behind us. By then, it was obvious that some people further back in the queue were going to go home empty-handed.
Not long after we left, the bakery posted on Facebook to say that it had completely sold out and had closed for the day. It had been open for less than two hours!
We were home in time for lunch, but I was feeling really unwell and went to lie down. My husband asked whether I wanted anything to eat, so I said, “Could I just have some of the new bread with butter?”
Wow—it was amazing. It was so much like ordinary crusty bread that, had I not been there when it was bought, I would not have believed it was gluten-free.
Later, I tried some of the cheesecake. It was a proper baked cheesecake and was also amazing. I have since tried the scones, which are not only huge but delicious too. I cannot comment on how well everything keeps because none of it lasted long enough! I did slice some of the bread and put it in the freezer, but I do not think it will be there for long.
I think our weekends may now be spent queuing for bread in Wakefield, along with a great many other people by the sound of it. Some customers had travelled quite a long way, and the bakery already has around 5,500 followers on Facebook.
I would recommend that anyone who is gluten-free gives it a try. The bakery is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 am until 2.30 pm—or until everything sells out—at 7 Cross Street, St Johns, Wakefield, WF1 3BW, Phone +44 7346 813254. Follow them on Facebook
Here are a couple of pictures from their Facebook page to whet your appetite
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