Its all change at Sugar & Spice!

Sugar & Spice bakery have been supplying cakes, traybakes and muffins to the food industry for nearly 30 years.  Based at The Old Bakehouse in the beautiful south Oxfordshire village of Ardington, the business currently employs 5 full-time and 5 part-time staff and are proud of their growing range of goods which utilise their top baking skills.  Eager to maintain an authentic home-made taste and appearance, Graham Birks, Managing Director, embarked on an ongoing programme of testing and re-formulating recipes.  Today, along with new branding and packaging, the extended range looks fresh, original and tastes better than ever.  Most of their products are suitable for vegetarians and, although they do not freeze their bakes, all can be frozen.

Graham is ‘as excited about developing Sugar & Spice today as I was all those years ago when I first started the business.’  His passion for baking initially led him to a career in patisserie, working for Michelin Star restaurants.  He went on to establish Sugar & Spice in 1987.

When his business partner retired in 2014, Graham took a good look at the business and the products they were making. He wanted the business to move forward so he decided to make some important changes. New equipment and improvements to their premises meant he could then turn his eye to the range of products and how best to grow the business.  Throughout the process, he wanted to ensure that the high level of customer service, for which they had become well known, continued. 

Graham was keen to obtain a food safety certification that was widely recognised by national buyers and provided assurance to the Company’s existing customer base. He joined SALSA in February 2014 and the business has used the resources offered and also taken part in a SALSA HACCP Level 2 course in London.   ‘The course was very beneficial and helpful, with clear advice offered by the instructors,’ says Graham. Sugar & Spice were audited in September 2014, successfully gaining approval, and have maintained their Approved status ever since.

Today, along with wholesale distribution companies including DDC Foods Ltd, Southover Foods Company Ltd, SFD (GB) Ltd and Samways, Sugar & Spice supply numerous independent cafés, sandwich bars, farm shops and delis.

Sugar & Spice have found the SALSA standard to be an essential part of their business. Graham adds, “SALSA gives our valued customers the confidence to buy cakes that have been produced with care and attention at all stages of manufacture - we couldn’t be without it.’

For more information on Sugar & Spice please see the SALSA Directory or visit their website www.sugarandspicebakery.co.uk – they look forward to doing business with you.