Breaking Bread Together: The Heart of Community and the Art of Baking
At Craig’s Bakehouse & Café, we’ve always envisioned creating more than just a bakery. Our goal is to build a place where people come together to share moments, make memories, and, most importantly, break bread. Bread has been part of human tradition for centuries, an age-old symbol of nourishment and community. Whether it’s the warm crust of a loaf shared at a family table or the flaky layers of a croissant savored with friends, bread has a unique ability to connect people.
Since opening our doors to wholesale orders, the incredible support from the community has overwhelmed us. We are deeply grateful for everyone who has given feedback—whether it’s been praise or suggestions for improvement. This feedback has been invaluable in helping us grow and refine our offerings, and we want this to continue.
The Nature of Feedback: We’re Listening
From day one, we’ve set up channels to hear your thoughts, and believe us, we’ve been listening. Whether it’s comments on our Craig’s Bakehouse & Café Facebook page or through the Co-Create Craig's Menu Group, we value every piece of feedback.
We hear you when you say you love the sourdough, when you ask for more sultanas in the torpedo buns, or when you want more or less cinnamon in the cinnamon buns. The feedback has been wonderful and insightful, with a variety of suggestions like a little more crunch or less crunch on the Vienna rolls, more or less white on the knot rolls, and even adjustments to our cheese loaves and pies.
However, through all of this amazing feedback, we’ve learned something important: no two people’s tastes are exactly the same. Some customers love a soft, pillowy bun, while others crave a firmer bite. Some prefer bread to be dark and crunchy, while others enjoy it whiter and fluffier. We cherish these diverse preferences because they reflect the wonderful variety within our community.
Baking is Both Tradition and Art
Bread is about simplicity, but it’s also about balance. The same loaf that satisfies one person’s craving might not hit the mark for another. That’s the beauty of this timeless craft—there’s no single way to bake the perfect loaf.
Every bakery, from small village bakers to large patisseries, faces the same challenge: finding a balance between tradition, craftsmanship, and the personal preferences of customers. At Craig’s, we honor this tradition. We bake our bread with the same care and passion that has been passed down through generations, while also infusing modern touches that resonate with today’s tastes. That said, we know not every product will be everyone’s favorite every time.
Understanding Feedback: Striving for Balance
We truly appreciate all the feedback we’ve received so far—it has been incredibly helpful as we continue to grow and refine our offerings. We want to keep hearing from you, and your insights are invaluable to us.
That said, it’s important to keep in mind that while we do our best to accommodate as many preferences as possible, not every product can be adjusted to meet everyone’s tastes. Baking—especially traditional bread-making—is both an art and a science.
Some changes, like adding more fruit or softening a bun’s texture, are straightforward fixes. In fact, we’ve already made a few changes, like increasing the fruit in the torpedo buns (sultanas, raisins, and currants now make up 50% of the mix!) and tweaking the icing on our finger buns.
However, other elements of baking, such as balancing crust, crumb, and flavor, require careful attention to the integrity of the recipe. As someone who is deeply passionate about what we create at Craig’s, I can tell you that every piece of feedback feels personal—not just to me but to our bakers as well. We discuss your comments daily and reflect on how we can improve, whether it’s adjusting ingredients, baking times, or even the stickiness of icing (which, let’s face it, can be tricky—even Bakers Delight’s Boston Bun icing has a mind of its own!).
We’re constantly working to ensure our products are the best they can be, but while we always consider feedback, we also must stay true to the recipes we’ve crafted with so much love and care.
Constructive Feedback: Help Us Help You
At Craig’s, we consider feedback from the perspective of the entire community. Every palate is unique, and what one person loves, another might feel differently about. That’s the beauty of food—it’s deeply personal yet shared by everyone.
We welcome feedback, and it’s most helpful when shared in a way that reflects your experience while keeping in mind the diversity of tastes in our community. Positive and constructive dialogue allows us to improve while balancing the preferences of everyone we serve. Every piece of feedback helps us grow, and we’re excited to continue refining what we offer with your input in mind.
At some point, however, just as the croissant has become an iconic staple in bakeries worldwide, our products—whether it’s the torpedo bun or sourdough—will reach a point where they reflect what we believe is the essence of Craig’s.
When that time comes, we’ll stand by our recipes and style, proud to offer the ‘Craig’s way,’ a version we believe represents our passion, craft, and commitment to quality.
Respecting the Past While Forging Our Own Path
We understand that Morris Bakery holds a special place in the hearts of the Naracoorte community, with its rich 80-year history. It was a beloved institution, and we fully respect the legacy it left behind. While we honour that tradition, Craig’s Bakehouse is forging its own path with a unique approach to baking.
Our aim isn’t to replicate what came before but to offer something new and distinct that reflects our passion, creativity, and the evolving tastes of our community.
We hope you’ll enjoy Craig’s for what it is—our take on time-honored baking, crafted with care and rooted in tradition, yet with a modern flair that speaks to the present and future of Naracoorte, the Limestone Coast, and beyond.
Creating Memories Together
At the end of the day, Craig’s Bakehouse is about more than just the perfect loaf or bun. It’s about creating a space where memories are made. Whether you’re picking up a fresh loaf to share with family, grabbing a croissant on your way to work, or sitting down in our café (opening late November) with a coffee and slice of cake, we want to be part of your daily moments.
Bread has always been at the centre of community life. It’s about breaking bread with friends, sharing stories, and connecting over something simple yet deeply meaningful. We will continue striving to provide baked goods that reflect this tradition. While we may not get it perfect for everyone every time, that’s part of the beauty of baking—it’s an ever-evolving craft, shaped by the people who enjoy it.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey
To everyone who has taken the time to give feedback, thank you! Your thoughts and suggestions help us grow, and we wouldn’t be where we are without you. Craig’s Bakehouse is about finding balance, creating memories, and celebrating the art of baking. We’ll keep the feedback channels open and continue to listen, but let’s all remember that no bakery can satisfy every taste perfectly every time. And that’s okay.
We look forward to continuing this journey together, one loaf at a time.
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