Sourdough starter bakery expanded in Middleton St George
Sourdough Starter, run by Paula Landing in Middleton St George, has moved into a new base near Teesside Airport.
Paula, 41, spent two decades working as a financial advisor and never intended to become a baker, let alone launch a homegrown business.
Paula Landing, owner of Sourdough Starter (Image: SOURDOUGH STARTER) After struggling with digestive sensitivities, she started making her own sourdough starter at home. When she realised she had made more than she needed, she offered the extra to her local community through a village Facebook group.
The response was overwhelming and demand quickly outgrew her small home setup.
Within weeks, she made the decision to formalise the venture, securing a name and setting up supply chains.
Paula Landing, 41, owner of Sourdough Starter (Image: SOURDOUGH STARTER) In the beginning, Paula baked one loaf at a time using a single Dutch oven in her kitchen. As demand continued to grow, she invested in a bread oven that could bake six loaves at once.
Even with that upgrade, her home setup became too small to keep up with orders.
Her new commercial kitchen now allows her to produce larger batches, baking about 15 loaves at a time. This has increased supply for local customers and businesses around the region.
Bread from Sourdough Starter (Image: SOURDOUGH STARTER) Alongside the expansion, Paula has also reduced her day job by one day to try and keep up with the business demand.
Although the new space is not open to the public as a walk-in shop, it marks a significant step forward in Paula’s long-term vision.
She hopes to eventually open a bakery in the village and host workshops to teach traditional bread-making techniques.
One of the stall’s Paula has set up (Image: SOURDOUGH STARTER) Paula admitted that running everything from home became “too hectic” and she made the “scary” decision to expand the business.
She is now able to produce three times more than before, with plans to introduce new products in the summer.
Although still in the early stages, Paula is planning to make sourdough pizza bases for people to cook at home, as well as doughnuts, bagels and more gut-friendly alternatives.
Paula in her new commercial kitchen (Image: SOURDOUGH STARTER)
Paula said: “It has just been amazing, I feel like I am on cloud nine right now as this small accidental business is flying. I am just loving it and so glad others are too.
“I have got an amazing following and just very grateful.”
She is now working with more wholesalers and venues to sell her bread and marked another milestone by attending her first large-scale farmers market on her birthday on Sunday (June 8) at Crathorne Hall.
Paula at her first Farmer’s Market in Crathorne Hall (Image: SOURDOUGH STARTER)
Paula said: “There are so many health benefits to sourdough, especially for gut health.
“My goal is to bring people together and help upskill the community on something that’s been around for generations.”
You can follow Paula and her work on Facebook and Instagram at ‘@Sourdough Starter’.