Mrs Bun the Baker cookery school highlighted as inspiring small business
Oxfordshire-based cookery school, Mrs Bun the Baker is set to bask in the limelight as part of this year's Small Biz 100, a national campaign highlighting the UK's most inspiring small businesses.
Marking 100 days, building up to Small Business Saturday on 5 December 2020, the Small Biz 100 provides a major profile boost to small businesses across the UK.
Showcasing a daily celebration of the Small Biz 100 through social media, the campaign aims to celebrate small, community driven businesses across the UK.
Mrs Bun the Baker Cookery School was founded in 2014 by Angie Johnson.
Angie said: "I was head of food technology at a secondary school and my son was young. I was constantly dropping him off at different places for childcare and not spending as much time with him as I wanted to, so I decided to change my career. I wanted to show children how to cook, as I had taught my son, particularly when a lot of children coming into school did not know how to use an oven, a hob, or even a tin opener. Mrs Bun the Baker Cookery school started small and grew naturally.
"My aim is to start them young—exploring, tasting, messing around with food—this can help the fussiest of eaters. I keep things healthy and helpful: making lunches for parents to take home. It's not just about the food they create; they're gaining life skills and many other experiences in the kitchen too, which are important a child's development.
"Interacting with others in the kitchen, sharing equipment, learning to take turns such as when they are using the flour shaker. Maths skills come into play: counting pie lids or the number of potatoes needed when making a frittata. They're learning to follow instructions and concentrate on the task in hand. Whether they are younger or older children they all produce great-tasting food, feel confident and they're always proud of making or baking a meal for everyone.
Mrs Bun the Baker Cookery School will be in the spotlight on 28th September 2020 and the company plans to run a series of giveaways on social media on the day.
Angie added: "I am so excited to be part of Small Biz 100; I was shocked when I received the email to say I was one of the 100, as I know they receive so many applications. In this time post-lockdown, when the blow to small businesses has been hard, I am so proud of all the small businesses in our country, and our keep-on-going attitude, adapting to changes in the market quickly, creating new ways of working and engaging with customers, building our businesses despite the odds."
Among the other firms being recognised are a family run florist in Bristol, a beauty salon in Inverness, and a wine school in Chester.
Michelle Ovens MBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK, says: "Congratulations to Mrs Bun the Baker Cookery School for joining the Small Biz 100! This campaign highlights the amazing, positive impact small firms have on communities across the UK. Given the phenomenally tough time small businesses have had, and the special role they played supporting communities in lockdown, it's vital we continue to support them as this crisis continues. This year's Small Business Saturday is going to be the most important one yet and were determined it will also be the best."
Now in its eighth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday has grown significantly each year, with a record turnout of 17.6 million people choosing to shop small on the day last year, generating an estimated £800m.
