In these unprecedented times comfort food is so necessary that it’s hard to remember a time when we didn’t consume an entire McVities Jamaica Ginger cake daily at 3:30pm. What we really need is quality baking, so we recently tapped into Instagram our vast network of contacts to find a local person who is baking exceptionally well and is able to deliver to your door. Her name is Frances Aizlewood and we’ve had a virtual chin wag with her after sampling her bakes…..
So Frances, where do you live in Greater Kennington? – I’m just by the Duchy Arms, off Newburn St
Is that where you do your baking? –Yep! Everything is prepped and baked in my domestic kitchen!
How long has your business been running and what makes your bakes stand out? – I put up a notice in my building at the beginning of the first lockdown, and have been baking for a few neighbours ever since. I’m really focussed on maximum flavour, and on getting really professional results from my tiny kitchen!
Do you have a day job or do we have a full time Nadiya Hussain in our very midst? – Yes and No. I spent nearly a decade working in publishing, before I left to retrain in 2018. I was working freelance for bakeries, cookery schools and caterers until lockdown hit, when all my work evaporated. I answered an ad and was lucky enough to end up working for John at the Kennington bakery from the beginning of lockdown until he closed at the end of August 2020. Since then I’ve expanded from baking for my neighbours, to their friends, and friends of friends… So long story short – baking, and building up a business locally is my dream.
What is your bestseller? – My bestsellers have been sourdough loaves and croissants. My pastries are actually made with sourdough rather than commercial yeast, which I think makes them extra delicious (and means they last longer!).
Tell us about some of your other products, and do you take special orders? – I try to change my menu monthly – and I only add things I’ve tested, and that I actually enjoy baking. Aside from the classics, at the moment I’m loving my chocolate hazelnut buns, and the apple friands. My brioche milk buns are also the perfect vehicle for bacon. I do take special orders and today I made a giant cinnamon bun birthday cake – so very happy to work with any requests.
PURELY asking for a friend here, but how do you avoid throwing your dough on the wall, falling on the floor crying, and saying ‘screw this, I’m going to Paul’? – Croissants, Pain au chocolats – anything using croissant dough is tough. I use a sourdough base, so for orders delivered on a Friday, I start the process on a Tuesday night. Though there is nothing more satisfying than seeing that final rise, and the perfect layers on the final baked product. And for every bake, there are always offcuts and bakers perks… little extras that make the 4am wake up worth it!
Before the world was turned upside down due to Covid, what did you do for fun in the area? -What are you most looking forward to getting back to? – The pub! The pubs here in Kennington are brilliant and I can’t wait to get back to them all. The Duchy arms, the Black Prince, The Ship, and the Albert Arms are a few of my favourites.
Most of our readers live in Kennington, Vauxhall, Oval, Elephant and Walworth. Can you deliver to all of these areas? –Yes! For free! I have a bike and will travel! Any readers outside of this area – I will travel for a small delivery fee!
Frances can be contacted at faizlewood@gmail.com. Instagram @faizlefood. Her most recent offerings are below and will be on sale until Easter.
