Spotlight on . . . Ru¨ di’s pop-up micro bakery

If I get the slightest whiff of the intoxicating fragrance of cinnamon and sugar, it is tools down for me as I follow my nose to find the source. This summer, follow your nose to the pop-up micro bakery, Ru¨di’s, on the Whangamata¯ waterfront.

This cute temporary bakery in a little trailer serves freshly baked artisanal sourdough breads, coffee from Auckland roastery Eighthirty, and a delectable array of sweet and savoury treats.

The pop-up, which opened last weekend, will run until mid-April. Baker Stefan Kelly-Zander is originally from Brazil, and used to be an interiors and architectural photographer.

He and his Kiwi wife Fern, who has a PhD in chemistry and specialised in smart textiles, moved to Whangamata¯ from the United Kingdom in 2021, after Covid impacted their work, transferring their skills into making home-baked treats.

As well as sourdough, there is a range of other gutfriendly homemade breads packed full of seeds, sprouts and nutrients for a hearty way to start your day.

Those with a sweet tooth will love the cinnamon swirl with layers of sweet croissant pastry; the twice-baked almond croissant, one of the best I have had; and the Nordic Knot, a sourdough cinnamon and cardamom bun, filled with custard and topped with blueberries.

They also make sourdough pizzas and other savoury pastries, so it doesn’t matter what time of day or what type of snack you feel like, you will find something at Ru¨ di’s.

The Kelly-Zanders plan to open their first permanent flagship store in Hamilton in winter next year but, in the meantime, be sure to head to Whangamata¯ this summer for a delicious treat.

Find Ru¨di’s at Whangamata¯ Marina, 621 Beach Rd, between 8.30-1.30pm until mid-April. Visit rudis.nz