Member of the Month
The Craft Bakers Association is delighted to announce Peter Herds as our June Member of the Month.
For more than nine decades, Peter Herds has been serving its local community with freshly made food, friendly service and an unwavering commitment to quality. What began in 1932, when George and Nellie Herd established the family business, has grown into a thriving fifth-generation bakery that continues to uphold the values on which it was founded.
In 1946, their eldest son, Peter Herd, joined the business and opened a bakery and shop in Wilmslow, helping to expand the company while keeping family traditions firmly at its heart. Today, after 94 years of trading, Peter Herds remains proudly family-run, combining traditional baking skills with ongoing investment to ensure the business continues to thrive.
The bakery now employs 52 members of staff, operates three retail shops across Wilmslow, Handforth and Heald Green, and supplies more than 40 wholesale customers. Every loaf, pie, cake and sandwich reflects the dedication of a team committed to producing fresh, high-quality food every day.
Family continues to play a central role in the business. Peter Herd's daughter, Carol Gatto, successfully led the company for many years alongside her children, Katrina and Peter. Following Carol's retirement, Katrina Gatto-Allman has taken over the reins, proudly continuing the family tradition into its fifth generation, while Peter Gatto remains an important part of the bakery team.
Customers visiting Peter Herds can choose from more than 200 freshly prepared products each day, including artisan breads, pastries, hot savouries, sandwiches, cream cakes and sweet treats. Their made-to-order sandwich bar remains a popular lunchtime destination, while their range of homemade savouries has earned a loyal following. Every pie filling is made from scratch using recipes developed and refined over many years, with favourites including chilli, curry, potato and meat, and the classic steak and kidney pie.
Their celebration cake department also continues to create bespoke cakes for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, christenings and corporate events, with every design tailored to each customer's requirements.
Throughout nearly a century of trading, Peter Herds has remained focused on producing fresh food using quality ingredients while providing the friendly service customers have come to expect. The family also recognises the importance of supporting local communities and the vital role customers play in helping independent businesses continue to flourish.
As they look ahead to celebrating their 100th anniversary, Peter Herds continues to demonstrate how family values, skilled craftsmanship and a commitment to continuous improvement can build a successful business that stands the test of time.
Congratulations to everyone at Peter Herds on being named our June Member of the Month. We are proud to celebrate your remarkable history, your continued success and your valued membership of the Craft Bakers Association.