Chester's Bear Bakery named among Britain's best artisan bakers

Chester's food lovers have known about it for a while, but now the secret is well and truly out. The Bear Bakery, the family-owned artisan bakery run by husband-and-wife team Nick and Frankie Parry, has been listed in British Baker's Best Artisan Bakeries 2026, placing it among the finest independent bakers in the country.

The bakery earned its place thanks to a winning combination of the savoury and the indulgent. Its exceptional sourdough forms the base of the Bear's generously filled sandwiches, while buttery pastry steals the show in its best-selling sausage rolls.

The business has its roots in the pandemic. Nick, who previously worked as a chef, and Frankie, who had supplied cafés with home-baked goods, went into business together in 2020 with a straightforward aim: to give people in Chester access to real bread and proper sourdough.

Since then, the couple have built a loyal following with their finely crafted takes on classic breads, pastries and pies. Slow fermentation is at the heart of what they do, giving their loaves the depth of flavour and texture that keeps customers returning week after week. Locals are particularly fond of the sourdough and granary loaves.

The national recognition follows a strong showing closer to home. The Bear Bakery was shortlisted for Food Producer of the Year in the 2025 Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards after a public vote, alongside some of the county's best-known producers.

Part of the charm is that the Bear Bakery is not on a busy shopping street but tucked away on a small business estate, which only adds to the sense of discovery for first-time visitors. Reviews consistently praise the quality of the bakes.

For anyone who cares about good bread, it is a reminder that some of Cheshire's most exciting food is being made by small, determined teams who simply refuse to cut corners. In a world of mass-produced loaves, a bakery built on patience, slow fermentation and a genuine love of the craft is something worth celebrating, and Chester is lucky to have it.

The Bear Bakery is at Unit 47, Minerva Avenue, Chester. Find out more at thebearbakery.co.uk.