Grahams Bakery
Their passion for baking has been in the family for three generations. It all began with their grandmother, May Graham, in 1956. She started baking cakes, pastries, and biscuits for the local town, and their popularity grew so quickly that she soon converted her home into a fully functioning bakeshop.
Over the years, they expanded their product line and modernized their facilities, while still maintaining the original recipes and techniques that made their baked goods famous. Today, they continue to honour their legacy and their commitment to quality has made them one of our most trusted suppliers, delivering the same homemade goodness and exceptional taste to our customers.
- What sets Graham’s Bakery apart regarding quality?
At Graham’s Bakery, quality is at the heart of everything we do. With a heritage of family baking excellence since 1956, we take pride in using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients to create delicious, handcrafted baked goods. Our skilled workforce and commitment to traditional baking methods ensure that every product delivers the perfect balance of taste and texture, making us stand out in the industry.
- How do you ensure consistency in every batch of Enjoy Local buns?
We ensure consistency in every batch of Enjoy Local buns through a combination of skilled, trained bakers who bring meticulous attention to detail and a passion for quality. We also invest in advanced baking technology and implement rigorous quality control measures at every stage of production, guaranteeing that each bun meets our high standards of taste and texture.
- How important is freshness, and how quickly do buns go from oven to store shelves?
Freshness is our top priority, and all our Enjoy Local buns are made fresh to order to ensure the best quality for our customers. With deliveries three times per week and our depot located just 30 minutes away, we guarantee a quick turnaround from our ovens to SPAR shelves—so you can enjoy bakery-fresh buns every time!
- Ingredients used in Enjoy Local buns; local sourcing?
At Graham’s Bakery, we prioritise high-quality, locally sourced ingredients to create our Enjoy Local buns. We work closely with nearby dairies and farmers to source fresh butter, buttermilk, and eggs, ensuring every batch is made with the best local produce where possible for a truly delicious taste.
- Impact of high-quality ingredients on taste and texture?
Using high-quality ingredients has a significant impact on both taste and texture. By using real butter instead of margarine and real chocolate instead of compounds, our Enjoy Local buns have a richer flavour and a superior, melt-in-the-mouth texture, ensuring a truly indulgent treat.
- Special techniques or traditional methods used in baking?
At Graham’s Bakery, we incorporate special techniques and traditional methods to ensure the highest quality in every batch. Many of our products are hand-finished, allowing for greater flexibility, attention to detail, and consistency—ensuring every bun meets our exacting standards before reaching SPAR shelves.
- How many people are involved daily in making Enjoy Local buns?
At Graham’s Bakery, a dedicated team of around 80 skilled bakers and staff work daily to craft our Enjoy Local buns with care and precision, ensuring every batch meets our high standards of quality and freshness.
- What’s a typical day like for the team?
A typical day at Graham’s Bakery starts at 10pm, with our dedicated team working through the night mixing, baking, decorating, and packing. The process continues right through until 7pm the following day, ensuring our Enjoy Local buns are freshly made and ready for delivery.
- Have you introduced new recipes or flavours based on customer demand?
Yes! We recently introduced the Biscoff Rocky Road in response to customer demand. Listening to feedback allows us to create new and exciting flavours that our customers love!
- Any products introduced that didn’t take off?
Yes! We launched a Salted Caramel Chocolate Bundt Cake, inspired by the success of salted caramel trends in the USA. Despite initial customer interest, it didn’t take off as expected in Northern Ireland!
- Personal favourite product you bake?
My personal favourite product to bake is the Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownie. Its rich, indulgent flavour and perfectly balanced texture make it a standout treat that our customers love.
- How has partnership with SPAR NI helped Graham’s Bakery grow?
Our partnership with SPAR NI has been instrumental in Graham’s Bakery’s growth. It has significantly increased the visibility and customer reach of our baked goods, allowing more people across Northern Ireland to enjoy our products. Working with SPAR has also given us the opportunity to innovate and develop new products, collaborating with a retail partner that has an extensive network of stores across NI.
- What does it mean to supply locally made buns across NI?
Supplying locally made buns across Northern Ireland is something we take immense pride in. From starting as a small shop in Dromore to now delivering to every SPAR store in NI, it has been an incredible journey. Being part of the local community and supporting the economy by providing fresh, high-quality products is at the heart of what we do.