How an artisan foodstuffs firm went from strength to strength in lockdown
taying at home is made easier by those that have grasped the Covid lockdown with both hands and expanded business to make up for the drop in normal sales.
One such company is
The Sussex Kitchen, which started out with Alex Jacobs and a small bakery in East Grinstead on December 10 2010 with just a small oven and one fridge.
Alex multi-tasked with the baking and delivering to homes building a loyal following of bread enthusiasts for his sourdough loaves.
Five years later, in 2015, he moved The Sussex Kitchen into its current space in Sheffield Park, growing the team and the pastries and breads he offered.
At the start of 2020 the staff consisted of 30 people, and
The Sussex Kitchen launched a web shop offering organic, sustainably sourced and natural produce, most of which is grown and sown in Sussex.
They say they are as true today as they were when Alex set out baking ensuring there is
Salways a high standard of quality, ingredients, and craftsmanship, with a love for what they do, and that The Sussex Kitchen is a family business for the local community.
One item on the website that looked very enticing for a Sunday is the Big Breakfast Box.
The Sussex Kitchen says all you have to do is roll out of bed and open your door and your Big Breakfast Box is waiting.
Delivered early every morning straight to your door and filled with all your need for breakfast in bed.
It contains grapefruit, avocado, raspberry and blackberry jam, apple juice, Lindfield coffee and milk, plain yogurt and granola, bacon and eggs with butter and sourdough bread as well as freshly baked pastries – croissants, pain au chocolate, almond croissant, pain au raisin and cinnamon and orange swirl.
Like most businesses 2020 has been a roller coaster of a year and it’s not over yet.
They lost part of their business which was supplying pubs, restaurants and hotels due to lockdown.
However, they kept the 30 staff and celebrated 10 years of business and weathered flat tyres and van problems.
Alex said, “Yes, it was a particularly challenging year, but not everything was doom and gloom: just last year we launched our web shop, and really started putting our name out in Sussex and beyond, as makers of great breads and supporters of local, organic, sustainably sourced produce.”
The Sussex Kitchen family used social media to expand their presence so much so they grew the delivery team and bakery staff.
This small firm has worked tirelessly to adapt to new measures with a smile, face masks, washed hand at least 100 times a day and perfected some recipes that customers have noticed.
The Sussex Kitchen web shop is impressive and well worth a visit.
Visit the website at www. thesussexkitchen.com for more information.