Celebrating 50 Years of Baking. From marzipan mishaps to master baker – Swindon-born master baker, Paul Chambers is celebrating 50 years in the trade.
Paul once found himself banished from cookery lessons for throwing marzipan. But that early mischief didn’t stop him from building a remarkable career in baking. Because Paul is celebrating fifty years in the trade. And he’s now combining a lifetime of experience with a passion for teaching the next generation of bakers at Swindon-based artisan bakery Pipp & Co.
‘I left school at fifteen – as lots of people did in those days,’ said Paul, sixty-five, who lives in Grange Park with his wife, Vicki, and has two sons and two granddaughters.
It started with a Saturday job
Says Paul: ‘I had a Saturday job in The Brunel and discovered a small stall from Swiss Chalet Bakery giving out samples. I tried the gingerbread, saw they were looking for an apprentice, and applied. It’s ironic that I’d been thrown out of cookery lessons for clowning around and throwing marzipan – it hit the teacher as she walked in! Though I’d not intended that of course.
Paul’s apprenticeship marked the start of a career that has spanned fifty years – so far!
Paul completed his City & Guilds at Cheltenham Technical College. He was supervising by age 19, mastering celebration cake decoration and sugar craft. He went on to hone his craft across several small bakeries, before stepping into management at twenty-eight. By then he was overseeing eight-two staff in a BRC food standard accredited business, supplying major retailers including M&S, Waitrose, and Costa Coffee.
Later, Paul joined a family bakery business in Bristol, managing fifty-two shops supplying fresh breads, confectionery and savouries. After eight years, he sought a role where he could pass on his knowledge, mentoring others and shaping the future of the craft he loves.
Training manager
Today, Paul is Pipp & Co’s Training and Development Manager, helping develop new products and guiding a team of passionate bakers.
‘I love it, and I have no plans to retire,’ he said. ‘I’m proud of what we make, and my passion is savouries. So it’s exciting to be expanding into that line while sharing what I’ve learned over the years.’
Mario Evangelista, who co-runs Pipp & Co with his wife Betina, said: ‘Paul is a fantastic asset to our team. His knowledge, creativity, and dedication inspire everyone. And he plays a huge role in maintaining the quality and artisan standards on which we pride ourselves.’
Pipp & Co bakes all its products in Swindon using only natural ingredients, with no artificial additives or preservatives. For more information, visit https://www.pipp.co
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