December 23rd 2024.
Gill Abbs has been a staple at Fitzbillies bakery for an impressive 50 years. While most of us are still fast asleep, Gill's day begins at the early hour of 3:00am. By 4:30, she is already hard at work manning the ovens at the iconic Cambridge bakery. Her dedication and passion for baking have made her an integral part of the Fitzbillies family.
Gill first joined Fitzbillies in 1971 at the young age of 19. She was hired by Mr. Day, the second owner of the bakery, to make their famous Chelsea buns. This was a significant moment in history as Gill became the first woman ever to work at the bakery. She recalls her nerves during her first Christmas at the bakery when she was entrusted with the task of making their beloved mince pies.
Despite her nerves, Gill rose to the challenge and produced a successful batch of mince pies. She fondly remembers the men in the shop eagerly awaiting the results, including the experienced baker Reg, who was not known for giving compliments easily. However, even he couldn't resist praising Gill's delicious mince pies. This was a proud moment for her and marked the beginning of her long-standing relationship with Fitzbillies.
Gill's role as head baker has become synonymous with Fitzbillies. She has worked there every year since 1971, except for a brief break when a fire temporarily shut down the bakery. During the Christmas season, Gill and her team work tirelessly to produce thousands of mince pies. Orders for these delectable treats start pouring in as early as October, and over the eight-week festive period, Gill oversees the making of around 29,000 pies.
When Gill first started making mince pies, each one was crafted by hand. However, with the help of a pastry machine and a team of bakers, the process has become more efficient. Gill explains that they have around 10 people working on the pies daily, with specific roles such as rolling the pastry, filling the pies, and sprinkling them with sugar. Despite the hard work, Gill describes this time of year as fun and exciting.
Over the past 53 years, Gill has witnessed many changes at the bakery, from ownership to equipment. She remembers that it wasn't until five years after she started that another woman was hired. This woman was tasked with learning cake decorating, which Gill describes as more physically demanding than it is today. Gill's role as head baker is physically tough, and she admits that the hard work can be challenging at times. However, with modern conveniences such as lighter trays and packaging, the job has become more manageable over the years.
Aside from the famous mince pies, Fitzbillies is also known for its mouth-watering Chelsea buns. These buns, filled with cinnamon, sugar, and currents, have been a hit since the bakery first opened in 1904. Gill reveals that they sell around 300,000 Chelsea buns in a year, and just yesterday, they baked a staggering 1,800 buns in a single day. While the recipe for these buns has remained the same, the bakery has experimented with flavors such as cheesecake, Nutella, and blueberry in recent years.
When asked about the trickiest thing to bake, Gill mentions Macarons, which she describes as "temperamental". However, her favorite part of working at the bakery is the smell of freshly baked goods in the morning, especially the bread and Chelsea buns. After five decades of hard work and dedication, Gill remains passionate about her craft and is a valued member of the Fitzbillies team. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing us.
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