Amy - The Underground Bakery

The Underground Bakery was the first in a local affair that started off just up the road from us in Otley and now has another bakery in Leeds City Centre, right next to the iconic Corn Exchange. 

Run by bakers Ash and Marcus who have years of experience including Michelin Star Restaurants, they focus on creating high quality, yet affordable VERY GENEROUS baked goods with a twist. They started the business in their basement, baking loaves for wholesale and got busy. Need we say more.

Think Tahini, Carrot and Sesame or Orange Marmalade, Beetroot and Cardamon Sourdough loaves, Cinnamon Sticky Buns you could float down the River Wharfe on and Blackcurrant and Chocolate Cruffins….  And yes, we can vouch for the size and taste. We know not to go within half a mile too often though, the pull is strong.

So what happens about surplus food at Underground Bakery? 

To start, there isn’t much. They deliberately underbake so as to avoid waste and even though they’ve had to double the batches of sourdough at Otley, they put a cap on production. If you want a loaf, you are best off pre-ordering as come lunchtime, you will be disappointed…

As for any extra pastries, they have a relationship with a local farmer who picks up any surplus at the end of the day to feed his pigs. Very. Lucky. Pigs.

You’re guaranteed to find an orderly British queue that’s out the door daily along Boroughgate - come rain, shine or more recently snow. A 'destination bakery' Huw and I have been known to run and cycle the 10k from home, rewarding ourselves with a final stop at Underground. This may have something to do with an extra inch or two.

Amy, barista and front of house at Underground in Otley (the lady with a broccoli tattoo on her calf - how outstanding) is a joy to spend time with and multitasks with skill, style and a natural smile. Easy chats cover business, which schools to apply for, sheepskin as a bi-product of the meat industry, our kids and more. I've stood back and watched her on a few occasions, never failing to give every customer her full attention while juggling the queues, coffees and tarts... it's a skill not all of us can claim to have.

Thanks to team Underground for jumping on board with us and providing the people of Otley and Leeds with such delightful calories.

The Underground Bakery
Underground Bakery (@undergroundbakery88) • Instagram photos and videos