This is a sponsored article on behalf of Chestnut Bakery.
Belgravia's getting a new bakery, and it's going to be great news for carb lovers. We're talking artisan loaves and pastries, inspired by baking traditions from around the world, and made from scratch on-site by someone who really knows their craft.
This is Chestnut Bakery, on SW1's Elizabeth Street, which opens to the public on 17 May. It's not only a place to pick up your daily loaf — Head Community Baker Kevan Roberts literally wrote the book on sourdough, so you know you're in safe hands — but somewhere you can try something totally new.
Take Chestnut's za'atar-flavoured croissants stuffed with gooey gruyere, for example — the Swiss/Middle Eastern mash-up never knew you needed. Got more of a sweet tooth? The bakery's chocolate and sea salt sourdough loaf will do the trick.
Other stand-out creations include the vanilla-infused mille-feuille pictured above and twice-baked buttery croissants topped with lemon meringue. During your visit, you can watch these extravagant pastries come to life from Chestnut Bakery's lamination room.
Alternatively, you can take your treats to the terrace. Thanks to a retractable roof, you're not at the mercy of the great British weather, and, in the heart of Belgravia's famous shopping district, you're perfectly placed for people-watching.
For all its elaborate creations and international inspirations, Chestnut Bakery is really about serving the local community. These guys work with the Chelsea Pensioners, donate baked goods to The Felix Project and are listed on Too Good To Go in order to minimise food waste. They even ran virtual bake-alongs during lockdown so customers could recreate the magic at home.
What's more, for every new Instagram follower or newsletter subscriber, the bakery will donate a loaf of bread to a local food bank.
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Feeling hungry yet? Chestnut Bakery's launch weekend, 21-23 May is the perfect time to visit, with performances by The Herringbone Cocktail Club, a visit from The Chelsea Pensioners, and hourly prize giveaways.
Can't wait that long? Chestnut Bakery is available on Gorillas right now — click here to download the app for free and see whether it's available in your neighbourhood.