Event information
The Local Baker is an artisan bakery operated by Warren Rasmussen, an accredited Pastry Chef who spent 20 years as a professional photographer before becoming fascinated with sourdough baking as an antidote to the advertising world. During the pandemic, Warren honed his baking skills and installed a large deck oven in his study at home, developing techniques that would form the foundation of his bakery.
For the past four years, The Local Baker has been trading at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market at the V&A Waterfront. The bakery expanded operations by opening a weekly trading day at The Bijou in Observatory, bringing artisan baked goods directly to the neighbourhood.
The Local Baker operates from The Bijou on Wednesday mornings only, from 9am to 12pm. The bakery offers top-shelf sourdough breads and Swedish buns to the public. Products are sold on a first-come-first-served basis with no reservations. The limited three-hour weekly window has created a loyal following, with queues often forming along Lower Main Road.
The bakery focuses on slow-fermentation techniques and natural processes that result in breads with depth of flavour and improved digestibility. All baking is done fresh for the Wednesday sale.
The Local Baker is housed within The Bijou building, and limited street parking is available nearby.