The client – a talented baker with a passion for food – sought to transition from the education sector to the culinary world. After completing my coffee house course, they engaged my services to transform an existing but closed food premises into a thriving bakery-cafe.

The Brief
This long, narrow space needed to present a cafe towards the front, where freshly baked produce could be displayed. The seating area would need to connect to the cafe, allowing customers to easily revisit the counter for repeat orders. The kitchen would need updating, to include modern equipment, refrigerated and dry stores, and a suitable cleaning area. Fire and security systems were out of date, and would need to meet current building control standards.

Key Design Considerations
I began by conducting a thorough site evaluation, producing existing & proposed floorplans. These enabled us to receive building quotes and to plan for equipment. Additionally, a detailed equipment legend, outlining the specific requirements for each piece of machinery was supplied.

The large shopfront window was maximized with a raised counter and high seating, offering customers a glimpse into the bakery and a prime view of the outdoor terrace. The theme was rustic and bespoke, with a bakery display table taking pride of place. Freshly baked bread – produced in-house – would be on show in custom-made wooden displays. A freestanding counter would be home to the customer service area, with the coffee machine and epos electronic till in place. On the back counter we housed the ice machine, the dishwasher, fridges and juicers.

In the kitchen, the cook line and bakery area were redesigned with 3-phase power for the ovens now needed. I designed food storage and wash-up areas, in accordance to the operational flow chart that I provided for the client. The operational flow chart identified safe and sanitary procedures for receiving deliveries of raw meat, dry goods, vegetables and groceries, minimising the risk of cross-contamination.

Moving towards the mid section of Toast Rack, I engaged a trusted supplier of mine – Inside Out Contracts – a commercial furniture supplier based in Greenwich London, to design a bespoke banquette seating area, based upon the customers requirements. The banquette featured power outlets for each table, allowing for toasters to be individually placed. Toast your own!

To comply with Building Control & Fire Safety requirements, the existing old safety features were removed, and new CCTV, emergency lighting and heat sensors were fitted throughout.

The Result
The transformation of the space into Toast Rack Bakehouse was a resounding success. The bakehouse quickly became a beloved local spot, known for its delicious bread, pastries, and savoury dishes. The inviting atmosphere, coupled with the high-quality food and excellent service, has made Toast Rack Bakehouse a firm favourite in the Wandsworth community.