For owners, Joel and Milly Young, Knead Bakery is the result of years of hard work, late nights, and a shared love of good food. Joel's journey began in Porirua, where, as a teenager, he baked muffins in his family's kitchen and hand - delivered them around town.

By 16, he was already a baker's apprentice in Ōtaki, where he met Milly. She was washing dishes adrer school; he was learning the ropes. Later down the line, somewhere between trays of pastries and clouds of flour, a love story began.

The couple started small, baking from home, selling online, and setting up market stalls around the region. Rain or shine, their regulars would turn up early to grab their favourites.

In 2022, Joel's lifelong dream took shape: Knead Bakery opened its doors.

When you walk in, you'll find a perfect balance between comfort and craft. There are classic pies, loaves of ciabatta and sourdough, and cream-filled doughnuts so delicious that you know you'll be returning for more. On the next shelf, there are delicate Danish pasteries, chocolate croissants, and gourmet sandwiches that wouldn't look out of place in a paris cafe.

Everything is baked on-site, with care, skill, and a good dose of early mornings - Joel's alarm often goes off at 1:30am! Their small yet hardworking team are bustling away in the background.