Some careers begin with a carefully laid plan. Others start with a slice of gingerbread… and a bit of thrown marzipan.
This year, we’re incredibly proud to celebrate 50 years in baking for our very own Paul Chambers, Pipp & Co’s Training and Development Manager and one of the most experienced bakers in the business.
Paul grew up in Swindon and left school at 15, as many did at the time. His first step into baking came through a Saturday job at The Brunel shopping centre, where he stumbled across a small stall run by Swiss Chalet Bakery. One taste of their gingerbread, and he knew baking was for him. He applied for an apprenticeship on the spot—and the rest, as they say, is history.
Ironically, Paul had previously been thrown out of cookery lessons at school for clowning around and throwing marzipan, which accidentally hit his teacher as she walked into the room. Thankfully, that early mishap didn’t dampen his passion for food.
After completing his City & Guilds at Cheltenham Technical College, Paul progressed quickly. By the age of 19, he was already a supervisor, developing skills in celebration cakes and sugar craft. He went on to build his craft across several small bakeries, learning every aspect of the trade from the ground up.
By just 28, Paul was managing 82 staff, supplying major retailers including M&S, Waitrose, and Costa Coffee, overseeing a £25 million turnover, and working within a BRC-accredited business. He later joined a large family bakery in Bristol, supporting 52 shops supplying fresh breads, confectionery, and savouries across the region.
After more than a decade in large-scale operations, Paul made a conscious decision to shift focus—from production to people.
Today, Paul is back in Swindon, sharing his knowledge and experience at Pipp & Co, where he plays a vital role in developing new products and training the next generation of bakers.
“I absolutely love it, and I have no plans to retire,” Paul says. “Helping people learn the craft and being proud of what we make every day is what keeps me going. My passion is savouries, so it’s especially exciting to be expanding that side of what we do.”
For us at Pipp & Co, Paul represents everything we stand for: craftsmanship, care, experience, and a commitment to doing things properly.
Here’s to 50 years of baking—and many more loaves, pastries, and ideas still to come!
