Artisan Bakehouse Whitsundays opens in Cannonvale

A market side hobby has evolved into a bustling new business despite a rocky start and ‘secret’ opening of the Whitsundays’ latest eatery.

A market stall side hobby has turned into a bustling new business after the ‘secret’ opening of the Whitsundays’ latest eatery. Picture: Contributed

A market stall side hobby has turned into a bustling new business after the ‘secret’ opening of the Whitsundays’ latest eatery.

Artisan Bakehouse Whitsundays owner Wylie Thomson‘s side hustle baking sourdough and pastries started out as a “bit of fun” and another offering for his market stalls.

But interest in his goods quickly grew and he began supplying famous Whitsundays restaurants including Northerlies, prompting the opening of a new stand-alone bakery on Shute Harbour Rd, Cannonvale to cater to the demand.

Mr Thomson, who also owns the Hunger stop in Airlie Beach with his wife, said he had decided to rent another location as there wasn’t enough space to bake goods at the other shop.

Last Christmas Mr Thomson‘s team started baking at the new location, before their ’secret’ opening three weeks ago.

Employee Jaimi-Lea Cosgrove at the opening of the Artisan Bakehouse Whitsunday. Picture: Estelle Sanchez

Mr Thomson said he‘d kept news of the official opening secret in a bid to help the team hone their craft, describing the opening as “unprepared” to say the least, but their cover was blown as word spread on social media.

He caught Covid-19 and was forced to leave his team to organise the shop, while a delivery of a pie warmer instead of an oven, making bread baking impossible, had been another hurdle they‘d had to overcome.

The Artisan Bakehouse Whitsunday has opened in Cannonvale. Picture: Contributed

“My problem is I’m a perfectionist, everything has to be perfect,” he said.

“I don’t like making things that aren’t more-ish … I’m not happy unless I make something like that.”

Their offerings range from sourdough to lilly cupcakes, custard and cream doughnuts, 10-15 different flavours of meat pies, Mr Thomson‘s famous jam doughnuts and more and he says they are being met with rave reviews by customers.

Staffer Jaimi-Lea Cosgrove said the community had been right behind the new bakery since its opening with more than 100 customers through the doors some days.

The bakery offers a range of baked goods from sourdough to lilly cupcakes, custard and cream doughnuts, 10-15 different flavours of meat pies, Mr Thomson‘s famous jam doughnuts and more and he says they are being met with rave reviews by customers. Picture: Contributed

The bakery offers a range of baked goods from sourdough to lilly cupcakes, custard and cream doughnuts, 10-15 different flavours of meat pies, Mr Thomson‘s famous jam doughnuts and more and he says they are being met with rave reviews by customers. Picture: Contributed