Bread Source announced as new Refectory partners

Norwich Cathedral has teamed up with artisan bakers Bread Source to form an exciting new partnership for the Refectory Café. The Cathedral’s Chapter has appointed the award-winning Norfolk bakery to take over the running of the popular café from October.

Bread Source, who run a number of shops and cafes in Norwich and Aylsham, will be serving up their famous artisan bread and cinnamon buns along with a wonderful range of other pastries, sandwiches and light lunches, coffee, specialist teas and more.

They will officially take over the running of the Refectory Café in October and, from then on, the opening hours will initially be 9 am until 4 pm, seven days a week, with plans to extend these in the near future.

The Revd Canon Andy Bryant, Canon for Mission and Pastoral Care at Norwich Cathedral, said: “We are delighted to announce Bread Source will be our new Refectory Café partner.

“Bread Source is well known throughout the city and county for the team’s delicious pastries and their passion for creating and serving quality, locally-sourced food and drink, and we are excited to welcome them to the Refectory Café.

“Situated next to the Cathedral’s Cloister on the site of the original monks’ dining room, the Refectory Café is a unique and much-loved venue, and we are really looking forward to building on its success and exploring new opportunities for the future with Bread Source.

“We are really impressed with Bread Source’s eco and sustainability credentials, their involvement with local charities and their commitment to making their bakeries welcoming to all. Hospitality is at the heart of everything we do at Norwich Cathedral, and so we are really pleased to be working together for this exciting new stage in the life of the Refectory.”

Hannah Winter, from Bread Source, said: “Bread Source is looking forward to welcoming new and existing customers to our exciting new site at Norwich Cathedral.

“We aim to provide ‘better bread for everyone’ in collaboration with the Cathedral in its unique and wonderful surroundings. We are very grateful for this opportunity.”

This new chapter in the Cathedral’s Refectory Café comes as a partnership with Jarrold, who has run the café since 2019 and comes to a close at the end of September. Refectory Café staff are being transferred to Bread Source employees.

The Revd Canon Andy Bryant said: “The Cathedral has enjoyed a successful partnership with Jarrold overseeing the running of the Refectory Café over the last few years and we thank Jarrold for all they have done to help the Refectory Café prosper.”

Tim Shattock, Commercial Director at Jarrold, said: “During our time operating at The Refectory, we have enjoyed a close working relationship with the Cathedral team and are very proud to have supported and celebrated many of the fantastic attractions that this iconic Norfolk landmark has hosted. Having developed a key working relationship with the Cathedral during our tenure, I am confident that we will continue to support one another with future opportunities and projects as and when they arise.”

About Bread Source

Bread Source was founded by Steven Winter in 2012 and is an award-winning artisan bakery with shops in Norwich and Aylsham.

At the heart of Bread Source is a ferocious passion for every single detail involved in crafting each and every loaf of bread - from sourcing the grain to developing the perfect dough.

In addition, Bread Source also produces pastries, buns and sandwiches alongside great coffee and a specialist range of teas. Earlier this year, Bread Source also launched a vegan range of plant-based savoury and sweet treats.

Bread Source aims to craft products that fill you up, make you smile and fuel your day.

They have also set up the Bread Source National Loaf Scheme which helps ensure good food is available to all, by offering nutritious wholemeal loaves to people in need for £1 or completely free if requested.

Recent awards won by Bread Source have included BIA Baker of the Year 2020 (Steven Winter), Tiptree World Bread Awards Hero of the Year 2021 (Steven Winter) and National Bakery of The Year Award 2020 (regional winner).

For more information about Bread Source, visit www.bread-source.co.uk or follow @bread_source on Instagram.