The legacy of popular Invermay bakery Manubread has entered a new era, with a new trio officially taking over ownership.
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Head pastry cook Prosper Orsoni, head baker Ricky Cassidy and partner Megan Mantach purchased the business in April.
Both Orsoni and Cassidy previously worked with Manubread founder David Bell, who died last year.
Proud to be continuing Bell's work - including his original recipes - Cassidy said they had done everything they could to ensure Manubread stayed open.
"Keeping it going was everything to us. Otherwise Prosper and I would be unemployed," he said.
"It just means so much to us. It's more than just a business. We wanted to do everything in our power to stay working for this place and we did."
A French bakery, Manubread was founded in 2013 offering a range of wholesale products which quickly grew in popularity through word-of-mouth. In October last year, the business expanded with its first shop front from the site of production on Invermay Road.
Now, Orsoni, Cassidy and Ms Mantach are navigating Manubread through a new chapter - including the unforeseen challenges that have come from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We officially took over on April Fool's Day," Cassidy said. "That was very scary, because it was pretty much when we went into restrictions for COVID. So it was interesting, but it's all been going well so far," Ms Mantach added.
With plans to steer the business back to its wholesale roots, the trio have also instigated an expansion of the Manubread menu - including a new range of cakes.
"I grew up in Invermay and this place was a bakery when I was a boy, so it's nice to work at a place that has really turned into something special," Cassidy said.
"It's so easy to take great pride in your work when you're producing a fantastic product."
- Manubread is at 215 Invermay Road, and is open 6.30am-5pm Monday to Friday and 8am-3pm Saturday.
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