Our story
Healthy Competition?
Remember when your local high street was full of independents? Today every high street is like stepping onto the set of the Truman show – it all looks the same. These goliath-chains put small shops out of business, force property prices up and ultimately result in reduced consumer choice.
The bread industry is just one of the victims. In the 50’s there were 18,000 U.K. craft bakeries, today there are only 3,500. As a result 80% of bread consumed in the UK is of the nasty wrapped and sliced variety. Its tasteless, made by machines, full of preservatives, chemicals and additives.
What makes GAIL's so unique?
Well, for us we are extremely passionate about changing the way people think, feel and consume bread. We strongly believe good quality bread should be celebrated and what better way to induce the comforts of heart and home than the smell and taste of fresh baked bread. We strive to deliver the highest quality handmade breads packed full of honest, natural, healthy and fresh ingredients. Our breads are constantly changing in selection - we pride ourselves on innovation and do our utmost to offer different products inspired from around the world, seasonal ranges and of course, not forgetting your all time favourites with a twist.
No chemicals...just natural tasting bread
Would you believe that some bakers today are still pumping chemicals into breads to preserve, stabilise and flavour them - this is insanity! To bake bread you only need 4 simple ingredients, flour, water, yeast and salt, so what are the other 40 for and why do you need to be a biochemist just to pronounce them? In our products, we will never allow any preservatives, flavourings or additives. Yep, that's right - we are absolutely 100% chemical free. We do flavour our breads but it's ONLY with natural, tasty ingredients that you will recognise such as nuts, fruit, vegetables and cheese.
The craving (and difficulty) in finding a quality loaf sparked Ran Avidan and Tom Molnar’s entrepreneurial drive to open GAIL's artisan bakery. They left their safe city jobs (as McKinsey & Co Consultants) to team up with Gail Stephens, founder of Baker and Spice and The Bread Factory - a small artisan bakery supplying London’s who’s who of top chefs. It was here Ran and Tom developed their vision to take the bread top chefs enjoyed and put it within hands reach of Londoners.
We opened up our first home, GAIL’s, in 2005 on Hampstead High Street where we are aiming to deliver a more original and local alternative to the chains – people know your name around here and the staff know what they are selling. Secondly, we still think it is better to make a great potato & rosemary sourdough than pocket a few extra pence – we’re 100% chemical free!
So, have we tickled your taste buds? Why not head down to our shops in Notting Hill or Hampstead and enjoy the pleasures of warm, wholesome handmade bread. At GAIL's our 'breadheads' are 100% committed and passionate about the products - they know how to deliver.
