Not just “founded by a family” in the marketing sense, but in the everyday, live-and-breathe, knuckles-in-the-dough way. And even with the year-round early starts, clocking up some serious kilometres travelling between shops, and juggling last-minute seasonal and catering orders, the Cthurmer family wouldn’t have it any other way.
Here’s a bit more about the family behind the bread.
Michael Cthurmer
Owner, Head Baker, and the OG Grumpy
Michael’s love of baking started early, with childhood trips to local bakeries with his father, where the best part was eating bread straight from the oven. That memory stayed with him, and eventually shaped the making of The Grumpy Baker, where simple, handmade food is baked fresh every day.
In 2002, Michael opened his first bakery in Sydney’s Paddington, and it wasn’t long before locals were lining up for the cakes and pita bread. More than two decades on, the menu has grown to include sourdough, muffins, Middle Eastern pastries, pies and an all-day café offering, across almost a dozen locations in Sydney and NSW.
Everything is still baked on-site, every day, from original recipes – muffins hand-piped, dough hand-shaped, same as day one. And Michael’s there for all of it, 365 days a year.
“What makes me most proud is that my kids have grown up around the bakeries, and have chosen to join the family business, continuing the hard work and hospitality we’ve always been known for,” said Michael.
When he’s not at a bakery, you’ll find Michael on his motorbike, out on the water, up in the mountains, or at the family’s Bilpin property looking after his beloved horse, Clancy.
Lily Cthurmer
Business Manager
Lily had The Grumpy Baker quite literally baked into her life from a young age – as the daughter of owner Michael, she was raised among the early mornings, warm ovens and steady rhythm of bakery life.
As a teenager she worked weekends at the family’s Vaucluse bakery, learning to make coffee and helping behind the counter. Throughout high school, Lily continued working across the bakeries, learning the family business from the ground up. Early mornings and busy holiday periods came with the territory, Christmas Day included.
While completing her HSC, Lily also helped establish The Grumpy Baker’s Bilpin café and bakery in the Blue Mountains, spending extended time there helping get the new location up and running.
These days, with her “Grumpy Baker degree” well and truly earned, Lily is our Business Manager, overseeing day-to-day operations, supporting the front-of-house teams, and jumping behind the coffee machine whenever needed.
“Working with Dad has taught me to trust my instincts and back myself,” Lily said.
Outside the bakery, she’s goes to the gym, walks her border collie Toby, or is out and about with a Grumpy Brekky Roll in hand.
Noa Cthurmer
Operations & Production Manager
Noa’s earliest Grumpy Baker memories aren’t behind a counter, but riding shotgun with dad Michael on early morning wholesale deliveries to customers like Randwick and Rosehill Racecourse, long before most of Sydney was awake.
He later started clearing tables at the Vaucluse bakery and cafe, before progressing to learning the till, then customer service, and by 16, running the coffee machine solo.
Now, at 19, Noa is our Bakery Operations & Production Manager, running our Marrickville HQ, handling stock, ordering, wholesale, supplier pricing, and staff hiring. He also spends most days shoulder-to-shoulder with other bakers, mixing dough and shaping bread by hand, ready to send off to The Grumpy Baker locations for baking.
Of all The Grumpy Baker products, bread remains Noa’s favourite thing to make. But when it comes to eating, the sausage roll wins, hands down.
“I’ve grown up working across every part of the business,” Noa said. “Front of house, production, operations. There’s always more to learn, and I love that.”
Away from the bakery, Noa’s into motorbikes, just like his dad. You’ll find him at track days or out on a dirt bike at the family farm.
Still a family business, after all these years
While family business has expanded over two decades, The Grumpy Baker’s values remain the same – fresh baking and neighbourhood bakeries that feel welcoming and familiar.
Pop into any of our bakeries and say come hello! The chances are, a Cthurmer isn’t far away.
