Bakery business owner, 22, scoops top spot at prestigious awards ceremony for flavoursome sourdough
A 22-year-old bakery business owner has scooped the top spot at a prestigious awards ceremony for her flavoursome sourdough, which is one of her most-loved products.
Millie Pates launched Millie’s Bakery in March 2024, having baked for as long as she can remember and she made her first loaf of bread with her granny.
The founder describes her mother and grandmother as the two incredible women who taught her so much at a young age, and it is that knowledge that led her to sell baked goods at local markets – as well as fulfilling orders for delivery and collection.
Millie completed a year-and-a-half of a wildlife conservation and ecology course at university before making her sister’s wedding cake in February 2024. This made her realise she would be much happier pursuing a career in baking, making everything from scratch from her family kitchen.
The home bakery offers rustic creations, as no two products are identical but there is a delicious taste with each mouthful. Millie takes pride in making sourdough bread, birthday and celebration cakes, brownies and millionaire’s shortbread.
It was around a year after the launch of the business when Millie made the exciting decision to take over the tearoom at Holdenby House, which has now closed seasonally for the autumn and winter months until next Easter – besides for Christmas afternoon teas on December 12 and 13.
The latest success for Millie’s Bakery is that the business’ rustic sourdough was named the best ‘Vegetarian/Vegan Product of the Year’ at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards 2026/27.
“It’s pretty surreal and I wasn’t expecting it,” Millie told the Chronicle & Echo. “It’s a massive achievement for me and my tiny little bakery.”
Sourdough was a product that Millie added along the way following her launch more than two years ago, after she learned how to make it on a course in Dorset and has not looked back since.
The 22-year-old has repeat customers for her rustic sourdough every week, who praise the depth of flavour, the fact it is not too solid and there is just the right amount of crust.
Millie continued: “The judges said it was everything that made it stand out – the flavour, how it looks and the packaging. I’m still in shock. It’s only got flour, salt and water in it so it’s already suitable for vegans and vegetarians.”
The business owner is pleased that the sourdough makes her bakery business accessible to the majority of people, who might otherwise not be able to enjoy her cakes and other sweet treats due to dietary preferences.
Having been awarded silver in the ‘One to Watch’ category at last year’s Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards, Millie was proud to step it up a level by winning gold last Thursday (October 15). Her sourdough was served as part of the awards ceremony three-course meal.
To get your hands on the award-winning sourdough while the Holdenby House tearoom is closed, you can place an order with Millie and pick it up from her home in Arthingworth.
Looking to the future, the ambitious founder said: “I hope I can get my sourdough into pubs and restaurants, and my biggest dream in the future is to open a proper bakery but I’m taking little steps.”