A Note from Zilka, Founder of Cultured Bakehouse

I started Cultured Bakehouse with a simple dream: to create food that brings people together, no matter their allergies or dietary needs. I wanted everyone to feel safe, included, and able to enjoy something truly delicious.

Five years ago, that dream became a reality when I opened the bakery. I poured my heart into creating brownies, breads, cakes, and treats that were Free From the top 14 allergens, food that people could trust. I spent countless days in the kitchen perfecting recipes so that nobody had to miss out on the joy of sharing food with family and friends.

The response was overwhelming. Seeing the smiles on customers’ faces, reading their messages about finally enjoying a brownie after years of going without, it meant everything to me. Cultured Bakehouse grew into more than a bakery. It became a community built on inclusion, care, and connection.

But over time, things began to change, for me, for my family, and for the business. Rising ingredient costs, unexpected challenges like our water well running dry, and the increasing demands of baking full time led me to pause and reflect on what I truly wanted Cultured Bakehouse to become.

I realised that my passion was not just in making food, but in teaching, sharing, and empowering others to create meals they can enjoy confidently at home. Food is deeply personal, and for many families living with allergies, it can also be stressful. I want to change that.

So, Cultured Bakehouse is moving into a new chapter, one focused on:

• Hands on cooking workshops that teach you how to make safe, delicious meals for your family, even when everyone has different allergies

• Free From recipes that are practical, nourishing, and joyful

• Digital resources, blogs, and eBooks to make allergy friendly living easier

• A future cookbook that combines my personal journey, the recipes I have perfected, and the belief that everyone deserves a seat at the table

This is not the end of Cultured Bakehouse. It is an evolution. The heart of what I started five years ago remains the same: to create safe, inclusive, and delicious food. Now, instead of baking every treat myself, I am inviting you into the process, to cook, to learn, and to discover just how possible it is to make meals everyone can enjoy.

Thank you for being here, for supporting me, and for being part of this growing community. This next chapter is about more than food. It is about creating confidence, joy, and connection, one recipe, one workshop, and one story at a time.

With love,

Zilka Gerritsen

Founder, Cultured Bakehouse