Bird Brain Bakery
Carolyn Davis is the proud owner of Bird Brain Bakery - a "free-from" bakery based in Hazel Grove, Stockport. We're talking cakes, cookies, breads, brownies... the list goes on, and they're all organic, gluten-free, plant based and contain no refined sugar!
In November 2025, Bird Brain Bakery achieved the top food hygiene rating of 5, following their inspection by Stockport Council's environmental health team.
Prior to the inspection, Carolyn had received a call from BCS officer Will, to offer guidance and support to help make sure the bakery was ready for it's first inspection. We caught up with Carolyn to hear more about the support that Will provided.
Tell us a little about your business and why you decided to start it up:
Bird Brain Bakery is a "free-from" bakery, we make gluten-free, plant-based and refined sugar-free breads, cakes, cookies and pies.
12 years ago I was working in a grocers and we struggled to find gluten-free products without eggs or dairy so I started baking them! We opened the bakery in August 2025.
Is this your first business in the food and drink industry? If so, was it something you’d always wanted to do?
I have worked in hospitality in some form for over 20 years, bars, deli's, cafes and then retail. All those individual experiences make up this bakery.
How much did you know about food hygiene before starting the business?
I was often managing most of these venues so I knew some parts of food hygiene already, amongst other qualifications I now have level 3 in food hygiene.
Is there any advice or guidance from your BCS officer Will that particularly stood out, or that you found especially helpful?
Will was able to reassure me that I was on the right track.
How did Will’s support help you feel more confident about your food hygiene inspection?
He reminded me that, it's about creating food safe environments and showing that food businesses and their owners have public health and safety at the forefront of their preparation.
What was your perception environmental health officers before speaking with Will and has that perception since changed?
I had seen a few inspections but never been accountable, so I was very nervous about it. Will put my mind at ease, knowing that it's about helping us follow best practices which benefits us as well as our customers.
Would you recommend Will and the support provided through council’s Business Compliance Support service?
Will is fantastic, he pointed out additional training too which I would absolutely recommend.
You can find Bird Brain Bakery at 152 London Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport, SK7 4DJ. You can also check check them out online:
Web: https://birdbrainbakery.square.site
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bird_brain_bakery/
