Our story
Not so long ago, all food was baked at home.
Getting Kiwis in the kitchen is what we’re about. At Heritage Bakers, we seamlessly blend traditional baking with cutting-edge technologies, crafting comfort food at its finest.
We’re baking for a world where families come together to enjoy our products. A world where every bite takes you on a journey of tradition, innovation, and happiness.
We’ve been doing this for awhile now. You see we have three generations of baking integrity running through our veins.
We're not just a business; we're a family. A family of bloody good bakers. From the early mornings in the bakery to the joy of an afternoon off, baking is more than a job for us - it's a passion, a tradition, and a way of life.
Baking happiness into every bite
Meet the family
Bernie and Rilla Sugrue have been the heart and soul of Heritage Bakers. Together for over 35 years, their journey began in Palmerston Otago, leading them to the renowned "Doughbin Bakery" in Wanaka. In 1996, the third-generation baker, Julia, was born, further cementing the family's baking legacy. From delivering papers in the chilly Waimate mornings to playing in a band, Bernie's life has been a tapestry of hard work, dedication, and love for baking. Julia, inheriting the same passion, often competed with her father in friendly baking challenges, always managing to outdo him. The family's baking lineage traces back to Bernie's mother, a baker at the Savoy tearooms in Waimate, whose cherished recipe book from 1952 remains a treasured possession.
No matter what Heritage Bakers product you grab, it’s all about family, fun, and the joy of baking. We're inspired by the moments Julia and our grandson, Arian, share in the kitchen, the bustling activity of our baking factory, and the sight of our products being dispatched to delighted customers across New Zealand. We believe in the behind-the-scenes magic, from slicing our garlic ciabatta up for the family to crafting the perfect pastry.
