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Rising stars add to the mix at fourth-generation bakery

Rising stars add to the mix at fourth-generation bakery

Two new starters are using their loaves to help continue the traditions of a fourth-generation Derbyshire baker.

Rising stars Kevin Byrne and Dinesh Heenatigala Gam Acharige have been taken on as bakers at long-established family firm, Stacey’s Bakery - bringing more than 30 years of experience with them.

The company, set up by Guy Stacey in the early 1900s, and now run by David Stacey, Guy’s great-grandson, has two branches in Ilkeston as well as ones in Eastwood and Heanor.

So it was a real treat for Kevin, who lives in Heanor, to join a local firm, having grown up with Stacey’s products.

The 43-year-old, who has a son and four step-children, said:

“What attracted me to the role is the fact it’s a long-established family business with a good background. It’s gone through Covid and survived, and their products are a favourite amongst a lot of generations.”

For Dinesh, 41, who lives in Duffield and has 17 years of baking experience, Stacey’s is “a nice company, with nice people and a nice boss”.

Kevin has 16 years’ experience in the bakery industry, having started out in supermarkets - first Sainsbury’s, progressing to confectioner baker, and then Tesco, where he was a bakery manager.

After some time out and working in roles including hotel manager and as an Aldi deputy manager, he decided to return to the bakery, for a better work/life balance.

He has already been getting his teeth into the role, creating a hedgehog loaf to be sold on Saturdays, which he says has been going down well with customers.

Dinesh, meanwhile, comes from a background of working as a baker in hotels in his native country, Sri Lanka, where he qualified.

The dad-of-two then worked for First Choice Bakery in London for 10 years, before moving to Derbyshire last December.

He said:

“I’m really enjoying the job. Although there are different Stacey’s recipes, the process is the same as what I’ve been trained in. Stacey’s has lovely customers. I lived in London for 10 years and Ilkeston is a nice area.”

David Stacey welcomed his new bakers to the team.

He said:

“Dinesh and Kevin came to us with a wealth of experience and a desire to impress. We welcome them to the Stacey’s work family and are excited to see how their skills can enhance our trusted brand.”

To find out more, visit https://www.staceysbakery.co.uk/


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