Blistered Bread is an artisan bakery in Letterkenny offering freshly baked sourdough breads and pastries for the northwest food service market. The business was launched in August 2022 by owner Adrian Boyle, who previously worked with the award-winning Brasserie Bread in Melbourne, Australia.
Blistered Bread handcrafts breads and pastries using time and the finest natural ingredients. The company prides itself on producing breads and pastries that play on the senses, with the smell, the taste, and the look of the blistered, crunchy crust. As well as its sourdough, Blistered Bread also creates delicious croissants, almond croissants, pain au chocolat, and cinnamon swirls.
Blistered Bread. Picture by Joe Dunne
Blistered Bread was awarded Best Start-Up at the Donegal Enterprise Awards in December 2023 and is also a member of Food Coast Donegal. In March, the business took part in the Food Coast Donegal Producer Showcase, as part of Local Enterprise Week.
Adrian and Lucia, Blistered Bread. Picture by Joe Dunne
Supports from LEO
Commenting on the supports Blistered Bread received from the Local Enterprise Office, Adrian said:
“The Local Enterprise Office has been supporting me since the very start. It all began with the Start Your Own Business course prior to launch. Once we were operational, we were able to successfully avail of various supports which were a great help in starting and expanding our business. We benefitted from a Priming Grant, which helped a lot at the beginning of our business. We’ve also received TAME (Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters) support to explore the opportunity to grow into new markets.”
“Through the mentoring programme we receivedguidance and expertise, which benefitted the company in our professional development and business growth. Currently we are undertaking a Lean for Business programme, which will help the business to improve our efficiencies and optimise business processes.”
“Overall, these LEO supports have been a great help in getting our business off the ground. I’d recommend anyone looking to start a business to link in with their Local Enterprise Office and learn more about the supports that could benefit them.”
Watch the video with Adrian below to find out more.
If you have an idea to start or grow your business within Donegal, get in touch to find out how the Local Enterprise Office can help. Email info@leo.donegalcoco.ie or call (074) 916 0735.