Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of Our Bakery

Tucked away in the cute little town of Coniston, a hidden gem rests beneath the shadow of the Kembla mountain range. With its warm glow and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked treats and pastries, Coniston Bakery is a beacon for locals and tourists alike. But what goes on behind the scenes? Today, we take you on a journey through a day in the life of Coniston Bakery, from the night before to pre-dawn preparations to the final crumb.

6:00 PM- The night shift for the following day starts at 6 pm! - Pastry Perfection

While people are coming home from work, Coniston Bakery makes a start for the following day. The bread-based and dairy products start getting made so they are fresh when the doors fly open and eager customers are ready to eat. Fresh cream products, vanilla slices, cupcakes, cheese and bacon rolls, finger buns, jam doughnuts, tarts, danishes, muffins, apple pie and creams, just to name a few, are being made fresh for you.

The process begins with buttery layers of dough, folded again and again until they are just right.

Croissants, pain au chocolat, and danishes all begin their journey here. Each is handcrafted with love, rolled out, filled with delicious ingredients, and left to rest before baking. The temperature and timing have to be exact—one small mistake and the puff pastry won't have the light, flaky texture that keeps customers coming back.

3:00 AM - Toot Toot - The delivery driver swings into action

Way before the crack of dawn, Adrian takes all the baked goods from the night shifts, carefully crafted products, and delivers them to Unanderra and Gerringong. He also picks up the pies made at Gerringong and drops them off at Coniston and Unanderra. The beauty of having three bakeries is that you can create a baking timetable for more products and fresher and tasty volumes!!

5:00 AM - The Sweet Spot

As all the bread and dairy products rise in the ovens and Adrian has made fresh deliveries, attention shifts to the bakery's legendary cake decorators and cake production staff. A key feature of Coniston Bakery’s menu is that the cakes are no simple affair.

The cake team arrives at 5 a.m. and works until 1 p.m. This is where the cheesecake slices, Coniston’s beautiful selection of off-the-shelf cakes, and our custom-made cakes come to life. You only need to look at our inspirations page; the images say it all.

The shop is open now, and early bird customers are catching the worm, a freshly baked treat, and coffee. The bakery doors swing open with the bread cooled and the pastries golden and crispy. There’s always a flurry of excitement in the shop at opening time as the first customers, many of whom are regulars, line up for their daily fix. Whether it’s a pastry, a steaming hot sausage roll, or a sweet treat, the bakery is a hub of activity in the morning.

Locals drop by for a chat as much as for their breakfast, while visitors from afar are enchanted by the welcoming atmosphere and the rustic charm of the shop. The team behind the counter is as much a part of the experience as the baked goods—there's a strong sense of community here, and it’s not uncommon for customers to stay a little longer, chatting over coffee.

6:30 AM - The foot traffic heats up!

As dawn breaks, the bakery's pastry cases slowly fill with sweetness. The staff switches gears from making bread, dairy products, and pastry to cakes, cookies, and other indulgent treats and starts serving the masses their favourites. The classic bacon and egg roll, a crowd favourite, is prepared alongside freshly baked scones, ready to be enjoyed with a dollop of clotted cream and jam.

Chocolate brownies, gooey and rich, are cut into squares, while lemon drizzle cakes are iced with a sugary sheen. Everything has been made from scratch, using simple, high-quality ingredients sourced locally whenever possible. In a world of mass production, Coniston Bakery prides itself on being a well-oiled three-store operation where every bite is crafted carefully.

10:00 AM - Lunchtime Preparations

The mid-morning rush dies down, and the bakery’s kitchen shifts gears once again. The lunchtime menu is prepared, and savoury bakes take center stage—homemade pies, steak sandwiches, and chicken burgers alongside quiches bursting with seasonal vegetables and cheeses. The bakery’s famous sausage rolls—flaky, golden, and packed with flavorful sausage—are ready to fly off the shelves.

2:00 PM - Afternoon Treats

By the time the afternoon rolls around, the bakery focuses on lighter, sweeter offerings once again. Afternoon coffee and tea are popular, and many customers return for a slice of cake or a cupcake and coffee. The team continues to prepare special orders—whether it's a bespoke birthday cake or treats for a wedding, Coniston Bakery often caters to life’s special moments.

At the same time, there’s an air of quiet satisfaction as the ovens cool and the last few decadent treats of the day are sold. It's a time for reflection, and despite the non-stop hustle of the day, the bakery team takes pride in knowing they’ve brought joy to the community.

4:00-5:00 PM - Cleaning and Closing

As the day draws to a close, the final task is cleaning and preparation for the next day. Counters are wiped down, floors are swept, and ingredients for tomorrow’s bakes are measured out. The clean-up process is methodical, as the team knows that in just one hour, the first shift will be back at it again.

While the doors may close to customers, the bakery itself never sleeps. There’s always something to be done—whether it’s preparing tomorrow’s dough or perfecting a new recipe.

The Heart of the Community

For many, Coniston Bakery is more than just a place to grab a cake, pie, or a treat—it’s a cornerstone of the community. The bakery team, from bakers to baristas, creates not just delicious food but also a sense of connection in this little corner of the Illawarra district. We were voted the best bakery in Illawarra for a reason.

So, next time you visit, take a moment to appreciate the hard work, the artistry, and the early mornings that go into making each bite a memorable one. Behind every croissant and slice of cake is a story of passion, dedication, and love for baking.