Loaf

You will not getter bread — we are so lucky to have a baker who can produce such outstanding products.

I went on one of Loaf’s bread making courses back when it was run in the director’s house and it was lovely to finally be able to go back and see the bakery in it’s not-​so new location.
Having the day off I popped in when they’d just opened and was pleased to see a steady stream of people popping in to pick up bread — something I didn’t expect for a mid-​week lunchtime in the suburbs. The bread isn’t as cheap at the stuff in the supermarket, but it’s handmade and delicious. I picked up some focaccia, which was glorious, and also some of their lunch offering which was a decent portion for the price.
I hear there can be queues at weekends and they often run out early so it’s worth heading down sooner rather than later.

I cant believe that i have never reviewed Loaf as ive been a massive fan for a few years now. Loaf originated in August 2009 as a community supported bakery run from the south Birmingham home of Director, Tom Baker and his wife Jane. Originally baking for neighbours once a week using a wood-​fired oven in his garden, Tom went on to teach forgotten food skills from his home kitchen marking the beginnings of the Loaf Cookery School. I went on one of Tom’s bread-​making courses (see my review of that in more detail at
).
Since those times Loaf have opened up a shop on the Pershore rd in Stirchley. initially it was a shop selling good quality, locally sourced goods as well as the bread however the bakery was so successful that the shop now primarily sells bread as well as lunches during the week. The Loaf cookery school which runs an array of courses from the aforementioned bread-​making to butchery skills (in conjunction with Rossiters butchers and foraging courses).
The bread is not cheap compared to supermarket bread however that is like comparing cheap own brand sliced ham with a top quality parma ham. The sourdough (oh swoon, the sourdough!) is delicious and my very favourite thing to eat toasted for breakfast with a poached egg. They do all sorts of bread, all the varieties that ive tried have been superb — just try buying a focaccia and not nibbling on it on the way home!)
Last week i popped in to get some bread on my way home at lunchtime and was intrigued by their Salted Beef Challah sandwiches. I would say that I’m a bit of a foodie — I love cooking good food and love eating good food. Often though a lot of these foodie type places fail to deliver (IMO) and you get used to good food that’s nice but not amazing. But I swear this salted beef sandwich was a piece of heaven. The challah bun was soft and slightly sweet, the salt beef was melt in your mouth and was accompanied with mustard and gherkins. My mouth is literally watering as I think of it. It is very, VERY rare that when I’m eating I actually start laughing at the sheer delight that is assaulting my senses. Fuck me that was truly an amazing sandwich!
So get yourself down to Loaf — they are people who care passionately about good bread, good food and their local area. They are massive champions of Stirchley and are all round top people!