Sara Assad-Mannings, founder of Bunhead Bakery, reflects on the past four years as a journey of cultural connection. Situated in Herne Hill, Bunhead Bakery is renowned for its signature buns, alongside a variety of breads, sweets, and coffee. Looking ahead, Sara aims to expand the menu to include more traditional Palestinian desserts.
The bakery, co-founded by Sara and her close friend Georgia Wickremeratne, had its soft launch in May, marking a significant milestone since Sara began baking in 2020. “Living at home with my dad, I started baking buns initially just for my sister,” Sara recalls. “Her encouragement led me to start selling them.”
Despite the challenges of a fluctuating lockdown period, Sara continued her baking journey while working with youth hostels and aiding rough sleepers. It wasn’t until October 2021 that she decided to pursue Bunhead Bakery full-time, eventually opening a physical shop with Georgia’s support.
Georgia, who met Sara on their first day of university over a decade ago, joined the venture after a career in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Reflecting on their friendship, Georgia reminisces, “We bonded instantly over our love for ‘Sound of da Police’ during a night out in Leeds.”
Transitioning from her role at a startup to working at Gipsy Hill’s Paper Stories coffee shop, Georgia found joy in making coffee and connecting with customers. This experience paved the way for her partnership with Sara at Bunhead Bakery. “Working together has deepened our bond,” they both affirm. “There’s a transparency that comes with being best friends.”
Sara describes their relationship as sister-like, emphasizing how food has always been her way of expressing love. “Cooking for others is how I show care,” she says. Georgia adds, “She literally kept me alive with her cooking during our university days.”
While buns are not traditionally Palestinian, Sara infuses them with authentic Palestinian flavors, fostering a deeper connection to her heritage. “Food is a powerful medium for sharing culture,” Sara explains. “It creates a sense of unity and allows people to explore different traditions without inhibition.”
In a world of uncertainty, Sara emphasizes the importance of celebrating identity through food. “It’s crucial to amplify our voices,” she asserts. “Starting conversations with something as simple as a bun can lead to meaningful dialogues.”
Georgia echoes this sentiment, noting, “Introducing Palestinian flavors in our buns opens doors to broader discussions.” Together, Sara and Georgia are not just baking bread; they are nourishing cultural understanding one bun at a time at Bunhead Bakery.