FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO YOU OFFER CLASSES OR WORKSHOPS?
Yes we do hold classes, there is a page on this site where you can find out a bit more but the best thing to do is "contact us" through any of the routes here and chat with us. There are options of joining a workshop with 8 people at the local village clubroom which has lovely facilities, or coming in to the bakery where we can have 4-5 people at a time and that one is usually an evening class, cosy and always fun. You can have a glass of wine if you would like, and we fully cater with real home produced food that is all additive free. We also offer private sessions to be arranged at your convenience.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN YOUR BREAD?
We believe in clean, transparent baking. Our standard sourdough loaves are made with just organic flour, water and organically produced sea salt. Then we have our alternative loaves which may have semolina, dark rye or spelt and ancient grains such as Einkorn or Emmer, again all organic and much of what we use is milled on stones here in the bakery. You won't find any hidden additives, commercial yeast, or artificial preservatives here—just pure, traditional bread created using a 5000 year old fermenting method with a starter culture named "Breddie Mercury"
HOW IS IT BEST TO KEEP MY BREAD?
The best way to keep your sourdough loaf, is wrapped in a cloth such as a tea towel and in a bread bin that is not airtight. It is best not to seal it in plastic or similar, because this will trap unwanted moisture and stop the crust being crispy. You can certainly freeze your loaf, they are excellent for freezing, best on the day of purchase or asap.
DO YOU OFFER GIFT CARDS?
Yes this is a perfect gift! New to our website, is the e-voucher. Send it electronically to your recipient and they can use it to order their delicious healthy fermented and natural goods.
WHY DO YOU NEED 48 HOURS NOTICE FOR AN ORDER?
Sourdough bread is leavened with a "starter" culture, which has to be fed and allowed to grow, half a day before the dough is mixed. Once the dough is mixed, there is a process of between 4 and 10 hours, of stretching and folding, before the final shaping, after this there needs to be a final prove period of between 2 and 18 hours.
ARE YOU FSA REGISTERED?
Yes, the registration number is JNCMCT-3FJG2P-A63Z2Q. We have also been given a 5 star food hygiene rating.
CHARITY
At the beginning of this sourdough journey Alice Dove baked for Fareshare, a charity in the UK that focuses on providing food for those in need and simultaneously working on reducing needless food waste. As at 1st April 2022 £360 had been donated. Alice Dove has now built a relationship with the Daylight Centre, food bank, based in Wellingborough as well as Green Patch in Kettering. Around 12 loaves a week will be delivered for those who need bread in these difficult times.
BAKERY OVEN OFF PERIODS
Check the oven off information on the home page for forthcoming shut times.
DO YOU SELL WHOLESALE?
This separate service which was for large quantities and sometimes delivered had to end in September 2025, as it impacted the ability to serve on a Saturday and create the croissants that we have here now. Orders for resale may be placed, however these won't be at wholesale discount and won't be delivered.
DO YOU MAKE SPECIAL OCCASION BOXES/HAMPERS?
Yes please contact us and we will be delighted to accommodate.
DO YOU DELIVER?
As there is only one baker and due to the care and attention that sourdough bread and sweet treats require, we are sorry but this is not possible.
For all our standard customers we have a new "Bread Shed" which is used should you not arrive during our opening hours to collect your order.
NOT SATISFIED?
If you believe your purchase to be below standard please communicate this with us straight away and we will replace or refund the item. Please bear in mind that all sourdough loaves are diverse, this is a naturally leavened product so we are working with a live culture. Outcome of each bake is dependent upon many factors such as weather and grain.