Back in the late 1990s, Valerie Williams began selling traditional tarts and cakes at local farmers’ markets around Lancashire. They sold like hot cakes, (sorry about that) and never one to stand still, Val developed a more extensive range of traditional homemade biscuits , based on local recipes. These continued to gather fans , so much so that very soon farm shops and garden centres were asking to stock her range. Steadily, like Topsy, Williams’ Handbaked ‘growed’. Now their Eccles and Chorley cakes, Goosenargh Biscuits and Lancashire Parkin are a by-word in the area.
As the team has expanded, so too has the bakery’s reach: exhibiting at food festivals and events across the country, and now it’s good to know that their online wing is growing fast.
Situated on the Docklands in Preston, Lancashire, in the very same spot where Val began it all, the bakery is still very much a family affair, though now the day-to-day running of the business is the capable hands of the next generation, Val’s son Thomas, with help from her daughter-in-law Katie. Though it has to be said, Val is still in evidence.
Val- Director Tom – Director Katie – Operations Manager
As Val told Margaret, ‘Williams Handbaked will continue the same principles instilled from the start. Our focus will always be on quality. All our products are still made and packed by hand with the utmost care and attention by our small but beatifully formed bakery team(!) using only the finest ingredients.’
So let’s meet the Williams’ team:
Rachel John Julie
Rachel – head baker – joined Williams as a modern apprentice, and they wouldn’t let her leave. A very talented baker, she is always to be found experimenting with new recipes. John has worked for Val since he was 16. He’s responsible for logistics, making sure every single order is packed and shipped correctly and on time. The team always know when baker Julie is in the building as they’ll most likely hear her before they see her, and quite frankly, they wouldn’t have her any other way.
Tom has been selling Williams’ biscuits and cakes at events and shows for over ten years, and, says Val, he has the market trader banter to match. Rory is responsible for the Williams brand, incorporating the website, packaging, point of sale, social media and photography. Bringing a wealth of experience to the role Tim manages the dispatch warehouse and ensures every order sent out is spot on.
Sheryl Vicky Toby
Sheryl , bakery assistant, has been with Williams for twenty years, and has a keen eye for detail. Sheryl is currently working on her piping technique. Vicky .also bakery assistant says it’s been ‘a joy joining the Williams family‘ Vicky always arrives with a positive attitude, and will do whatever’s needed. Toby’s been baking cakes since he was 12. He first joined the team on work experience and is now working on his Apprenticeship.
Jesse is the newest recruit and has jumped in with both feet. He’s a fast learner and enjoys testing out recipes with his young daughter. Megan is John’s little cousin, and in between her studies at college, Val tells me you can find her packing our biscuits and cakes. Ben is currently working for his Warehousing Apprenticeship and is Tim’s assistant in our dispatch unit.
So there we have it, Margaret’s curiosity is satisfied. Somehow it makes the hampers even more delicious to have met the team, all exuding enthusiasm, and comradeship, just as a family should. I do wonder what the Christmas hampers will look like. Seems likeChristmas presents for my family is pretty much sorted
https://www.williamshandbaked.co.uk/