Baker Bleu’s founders and directors Mike and Mia Russell have stepped in to take over the bakery’s Double Bay location, after renowned chef Neil Perry and his wife, Sam, announced their departure from the bakery.

The Sydney location, which marked the Melbourne bakery’s expansion beyond its hometown, was first launched in 2022. At the time Neil had described Baker Bleu’s product as the best bread in Australia.

“Sam and I are very proud of the role we’ve played in Baker Bleu’s growth and in making the Double Bay store the success it is today. As Mike and Mia look to expand and take the business in a new direction, we’ve decided to part ways and focus on our restaurants in Double Bay,” Neil said.

“When I talked to Mike about coming to Sydney, he brought the bread and the pastries and we really brought the sandwich game, upped the ante on the pizza, and then bought coffee in – and that’s really a blueprint for Baker Bleu going forward.

“We’re really proud of the fact that we’ve changed the business model. It’s no longer just a bakery – the food service aspect, the sandwiches and coffee is a very, very important part of the business.”

Mike added he and Mia were grateful to Neil for helping to bring the brand to Sydney.

“During this time we created something truly magical with Neil and Sam, and we feel privileged to continue to be in the neighbourhood alongside their world-class restaurants,” he said in a statement.

Neil announced he and Sam would now turn their attention to the eatery Next Door, which will undergo a minor renovation before reopening in mid-October.

“Sam and I most excited about the fact that we’re going to try and realise the full potential of Next Door. We’re going to open for breakfast, and we’re super excited about that,” Neil told Good Food.

“I actually bought Next Door sot that Baker Bleu could function fully. It’s a very small space to be manufacturing bread and doing all the stuff that we did, so in the past they’ve relied on being able to utilise Next Door – not just for seating but all the infrastructure. Now that we’ve separated, it gives Sam and I the opportunity to get that one going.”

Baker Bleu was started in 2016 by Mike and Mia and has since gone on to become a cult favourite in Melbourne. The bakery’s largest location yet was opened in Cremorne earlier this year.