Honiton patissier secures prestigious baking contract with The Pig!

James Gardiner (aged 31) opened his Honiton business, James' Patisserie and Sandwiches, nearly six years ago, and since then things have been going from strength to strength! He recently secured a contract with The Pig, which he is delighted about.

James grew up in Aylesbury but relocated to the South West when he met his wife Becci, who is from Dawlish. He has a four-year-old son named Henry and the family are expecting a little girl in April. They live in Cranbrook.

The Pig, which is in Gittisham and is part of a hotel chain, contacted James last year. After a few meetings and tastings, he impressed the hotel so much that they asked him to provide their breakfast pastries. James now supplies Devon Apple Crumb Cake, Apple Cruffins and Pastry Knots.

On securing the contract, James said: "I know how brilliant The Pig is, and I love their ethos of using local produce."

James is proud of the fact his cakes and pastries are all made in house, using local ingredients. He even macerates his apples in cider from his fathers-in-law's orchard! The meat for his sausage rolls comes from Porkies on New Street and he uses eggs from Fowler's Farm, which is just outside Honiton.

James told Nub News: "I love hearing feedback about our food. Everything is made from scratch in house, or locally sourced.

"I love being able to tell people we make it all ourselves, from the puff pastry for the sausage rolls, to our macarons and our delicious cronut."

Despite the pandemic, business has been going well for James: "Business really took off last year. I supply five local businesses in the area, including The Pig, so I am really getting my name and product out there."

During the early lockdowns, James started a treat box delivery system, which was a huge success. However, James' wife is an intensive care nurse, and due to childcare needs, he was forced to close his business entirely for three months. Since re-opening though, business has been brisk.

James has always wanted to be a pastry chef. He started studying for catering qualifications when he was just 14 and since then he has worked as a pastry chef in restaurants and five-star hotels. James has also taken part in competitions in London and Birmingham where he was required to make afternoon teas, including petit fours and chocolate petit fours.

After running the business alone for five years, he has recently welcomed two members of staff to his team, Chelle Heard and Ella Woodhouse, who James says have been a great help, especially during Covid-19.

He said: "What I love about Honiton is the people and how many local independent businesses we have here."

You can find out more information about James' Patisserie and Sandwiches here

James' Patisserie and Sandwiches is located at 84 Honiton High Street.

If you are interested in sampling James' cakes whilst enjoying a stay at The Pig, click here