Perth-based The Woodfired Baker has announced it will be closing the doors to both the bakery and the wholesale arm of the business.

The bakery, which is the brainchild of Andrew Ritchie, built a solid reputation throughout its 14 years of operation.

The announcement was made on The Woodfired Baker’s Instagram page, and signalled the start of a new chapter.

“Dear valued Woodfired Baker Customers, after 14 years of supplying woodfired sourdough and baked goods, we have made the decision to close our doors to both our cafe and wholesale business,” they wrote.

“We have loved our time shared with the Maylands community but it is time to hang up the apron and begin a new chapter. Thanks you to the Maylands community and especially our regulars for all the support over the years.

“In appreciation, The Woodfired Baker team.”

Andrew’s love for baking began as a small child, when his Hungarian neighbour’s home cooking sparked a curiosity in him and eventually saw Andrew relocate from his home in regional Victoria to Melbourne to begin studying at William Angliss Institute. A move to Perth in 2000 introduced Andrew to the New Norcia Monastery, where for decades the monks had baked breads using a wood-fired oven.

Speaking with Baking Business back in 2019, Andrew said this traditional baking technique soon became a calling for Andrew. He honed his skill using a portable wood-fired oven in his backyard before eventually hunting down a bakery of his own.

In 2006, while looking through the window of an old art gallery Andrew spied an unused wood-fired oven and the rest becmae history.

“It was old and run down, having not been used in 45 years. We started the restoration work of the oven and setting the building up as a bakery, including a small dough room and oven room,” Andrew said.

Within three months of careful restoration, the oven was lit, and at one point was being used to bake more than 1500 loaves each week.

The final day of trading for The Woodfired Baker will be August 10.