Our story
and who is Grumpy?
From 1 to 10
NEIGHBOURHOOD BAKERIES
The Grumpy Baker is grounded in founder and head baker Michael Cthurmer’s childhood memories of visiting bakeries with his father and eating fresh bread straight from the oven. Since opening our first bakery in 2002, we’ve been known for handcrafting flavour-packed, rustic-style bread, pastries and pies daily for the almost dozen neighbourhoods and communities we’re proudly a part of across Sydney and Newcastle.
The Family
The Grumpy Baker has always been a family affair. The original Grumpy Baker, Michael is joined by his wife Deb, his daughter Lily who runs the day-to-day shop operations, and son Noa who runs the Marrickville factory where supplies are stored and some ingredients are prepped ready to send out to each bakery. They are joined by a team of passionate baristas, bakers, chefs and cafe managers across their locations, who together deliver delicious breads, pastries and pies daily.
Timeline
THIRD CHILD NOA (NOW OPERATIONS MANAGER) WAS BORN INTO THE FAMILY
THE GRUMPY BAKER MAROUBRA OPENED
NEUTRAL BAY OPENS ON THE NORTH SHORE
FIRST CBD SHOP OPENS, THE BUS STOP AT HYDE PARK, FOLLOWED BY NEWCASTLE
THE FAMILY OPENED UP AT potts point
Good old-fashioned
Baking
We do our baking the old-fashioned way, by hand, using original recipes handed down over generations. Dough is kneaded from scratch, muffins are piped by hand, there are no automated production lines. Just genuinely fresh baking with excellent ingredients, mixed with a lot of time and care, on-site, everyday.
Faqs
What is The Grumpy Baker?
The Grumpy Baker is a family-run group of artisanal bakeries and cafés, founded in 2002 by owner and head baker, Michael Cthurmer. We have grown from a single shopfront in Sydney’s Paddington to almost a dozen locations across Sydney and Newcastle, and every loaf, pie and pastry is still handcrafted from scratch and baked daily on-site.
Where did the name "The Grumpy Baker" come from?
Honestly? You’d be grumpy too if you had to get up well before the crack of dawn every single day! The name is a lighthearted nod to the dedicated (if bleary-eyed) early risers who make sure fresh bread is ready when you walk through the door each morning.
Is your bread preservative-free?
Yes. Every loaf is crafted using traditional baking methods and is completely free from preservatives and artificial additives. We believe great bread is made with quality ingredients, time, skill and care, nothing more!
Where are your bakeries located?
You can see all our current locations here.
Do you have gluten-free or vegan bread options?
Availability varies by location and season. We recommend contacting your nearest store to ask about current gluten-free, vegan, or allergen-friendly options. Our staff are always happy to help you find something that works for your dietary needs.
Do you offer catering?
Absolutely. We cater for corporate events, office morning teas, private functions, and more. You can place a catering order through our Catering page or contact us directly at catering@thegrumpybaker.com.au.
Are your cafes dog-friendly?
Yes, all of our cafes have alfresco dog-friendly areas.
Are you hiring?
We’re always on the lookout for passionate bakers, baristas, and hospitality professionals. Head to our Careers page to get in touch.
I think I've left something behind — can you help me find it?
Of course! Please contact the store you visited directly, or email us at grumpy@thegrumpybaker.com.au with the date and time of your visit and a description of the item, and we’ll do our best to track it down.