Bakery
From Polish villages to Amersfoort oven
Discover the fascinating story of Anna Windorpska, the driving force behind Gebakkerij. Originally from Poland, Anna brought her passion for baking to the Netherlands, where she now lives in Amersfoort with her family. For Anna, baking is not just an activity; it is a heritage, passed down from generation to generation. "In Poland, baking is also something everyone does. Sunday without cake? Impossible! Unexpected guests? They still expect you to have "something tasty" and homemade in the cupboard."
A daring turnaround
The story of Anna's career change is fascinating. From a fast-paced world in strategic consulting with profit maximization for anonymous shareholders, to baking cakes where personal contact is so important. Anna's journey is the epitome of following your heart. Her decision to leave McKinsey and fully dedicate herself to baking was a bold move that is admired by her former colleagues and a source of inspiration for many.
Bakery: A dream comes true
In 2011, Gebakkerij became a reality when Anna registered her company with the Chamber of Commerce. What started with a few cakes a month, quickly grew into a full-fledged bakery. Anna's decision to specialize in wedding cakes in 2014 was a turning point, allowing her to go deeper into her customers' wishes and deliver unique, personal creations. "Combining birthday cakes and wedding cakes, on my own, was impossible. Best decision ever! Because of that, I had a really personal conversation with every customer, a connection. It felt like I was making a cake for friends. That really gave me enormous satisfaction, I still find this the best part of my job."
Since 2018, Anna has a team around her and in addition to wedding cakes, they also make sweet tables and cakes for other occasions, such as a birthday, a baby shower or a business event. "We also make these with a lot of passion and attention, because every party deserves our love, whether it is small or big."
The philosophy of Gebakkerij
For Anna, the connection with nature is central. "The basis for that was certainly born in the forests and meadows, where I walked around all day as a child." Just as important is her love for pure ingredients, and an unparalleled perfectionism. Which is a useful remnant from her past at McKinsey.
The willingness to work hard and never give up has helped Anna through the most difficult times. "Because you can bet that those times have happened too. That perseverance is not only in my nature, I have also had wonderful examples from my parents and the culture within McKinsey. And even in the "easy" times it helps enormously to "hang in there" and work a few extra hours."
The role of packaging: An extension of quality
Anna emphasizes the importance of packaging as an essential part of the Gebakkerij experience. "I think this is very important! We make exclusive pastries, and they have to be wrapped in luxury packaging. Our pastries are often given as gifts, then the packaging is almost more important than the pastries themselves, hahaha! Above all, it has to be of visibly good quality. Thick cardboard, nice color (I am a fan of white, or pastel colors in the packaging). With sweet gifts, I also like to work with windows, or with transparent lids."
The sweet boxes , especially the 20x25 cm ones, are Anna's favorite. She praises their quality and the way they present her pastries. For a tasting, she recommends the cookie boxes with transparent lid . "Perfect! Also to send by mail, as a letterbox. Sometimes I also use cupcake boxes with the insert on the bottom (to strengthen/flatten the bottom) as a sweet box)."
A future full of inspiration
While Anna and her team at Gebakkerij continue to bake, decorate and innovate, Anna cherishes a personal dream: writing a baking book. This dream is a reflection of her desire to share the joy and art of baking with a wider audience. With her perseverance, there is actually no doubt that she will succeed!
