BEING one of the most renowned bakeries in Australia doesn’t happen by chance. It takes passionate and committed owners and a team of dedicated staff to create award-winning baked goods.
The list of awards won by North End Bakehouse (NEB) are almost too numerous to count, and none of it could have been achieved without the passion and drive of Co-owner Shekiah ‘Kiah’ Aylett and store manager Cass Clark.
Kiah, along with husband Matt, opened North End Bakehouse in 2014 after years of baking experience that began when she was an apprentice at age 16. At 20, Kiah started her own cake decorating business, Get Caked, before closing her business to focus on NEB, holding down every position required over the years.
Cass came to NEB in 2023 after years in hospitality, starting in customer service and quickly working up to the position of store manager and leading the team.
The female-led team at NEB are a big part of the reason they have continued to win awards, including best hot cross bun and vanilla slice on multiple occasions.
“Being a woman and being in business for so many years now you learn to rely on the team you have built up around you. You learn that you can’t do it all! (and sometimes that’s what puts us ahead of the males haha),” said Kiah.
