Most big ideas start with tiny roots and our bakery began life on our kitchen table in the heart of York.
After a full night baking, we sold our bread at a market stall and hand-delivered a few loaves to our neighbours and the local community pub. We couldn’t have been any smaller.
But, we did see an enormous appetite for ‘real bread’ – the antithesis of mass-produced additive-loaded supermarket loaves – and the fledgling Bluebird found a new nest: a restored gig-house, now our Malton bakery and shop.
This was closely followed by a second residence on York’s famous Shambles, a third shop in bold and buzzy Leeds’ Kirkgate Market and (exactly ten years after we started all this) a new bakery and coffee shop in Acomb.
We are Al and Nicky Kippax – and we’re joined by brilliant bakers and bread buffs who help to shape our small enterprise and keep it ticking over nicely. Our vision is just the same as it was back in 2011: to bring back the lost tradition of hand-shaped, artisan loaves which are nutritious and delicious.
Ideally eaten for breakfast in Paris along with a café au lait - but if you can't make it, our Yorkshire version is a classic. Slice for bruschetta or serve with olive oil & balsamic, tapenade or salami and cheese - there's no end to what you can stick on your baguette.
A tongue-twister of a loaf, this is our most popular sourdough. It's packed full of sesame, sunflower, linseed, pumpkin, chia, alfalfa and poppy seeds and toasts up a treat.
A firm favourite for Bluebird customers, these comprise a twist of bread with cheese, olives, tomatoes, pesto and red onion. Affectionately known as the 'swirly-whirlies'.
A Bluebird staple - and a loaf that rarely goes unsold. A combination of simple ingredients (and bags of fermentation time) mean that it packs a full flavour.
Crusty on the outside, soft on the inside. our cob is all a cob should be. Whether you soak it in soup or serve it with bacon, it’s a family favourite.
TALBOT YARD FOOD COURT,
MALTON, YO17 7FT
01653 692049
The original roost, our smallest shop is attached to the cake bakery so all those sweet treats
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LITTLE SHAMBLES,
YORK, YO1 7LY
01904 627706
If you can squeeze past tourists taking photos of the shop window, inside our Shambles shop there’s something for every bonafide loaf-lover.
Little Shambles is the perfect setting for artisan bread and we can tell you about every loaf, what it might pair well with and whether there’s a daily special you shouldn’t miss.
KIRKGATE MARKET, 28-34 GEORGE ST,
LEEDS, LS2 7HY
0113 4501596
Nowhere embodies a big-city buzz more than Kirkgate – the largest undercover market in Europe – and we’ve joined some of the best producers Leeds has to offer. If you need some help finding us, just head up to the top of Fishmonger Row.
201 Acomb Rd, Acomb, York YO24 3HD
01904 799 999
Our Acomb bakery and coffee shop is now open – and we’re really looking forward to welcoming you. Everything we make is baked freshly on the premises, travelling just a few short yards from oven to shelf. Pick up your daily bread from our shop – or feel free to linger longer, for a Roost coffee and a bite to eat.
4 Market Walk, Holmfirth, HD9 7DA
Tel: 07800 601326
You’ll find our newest bakery & coffee shop set among the rolling hills of Holme Valley – in the heart of bustling Holmfirth. Famed for Last of the Summer Wine, the Picturedrome and a brilliant Folk Festival, Holmfirth is a special place with a supportive community. We’re thrilled to have joined forces with our bread-loving-bestie, Hilary, to bring our good baked goods here.