Behind-the-scenes: A Day in Novak’s Bakery Kitchen
If you have ever walked past our little shop on a crisp evening in Limerick, you have probably caught it – the unmistakable scent of bread just minutes out of the oven. Buttery, hand-rolled brioches, decadent donuts, and flavourful pizza buns. It is warm, it is rich, and it pulls you in like a friendly hand on your shoulder. That is Novak’s Bakery in a nutshell – nothing artificial, no improvers, just artisan bread made with care.
Novak’s is a wholesale bakery, supplying shops, cafes, restaurants, and hotels across Limerick and beyond. The loaves you see on a chef’s pass, under a sandwich in a cafe, or in a hotel breakfast basket? There is a good chance they started life right here in our kitchen.
I am Michal Nowak, and here is how it all comes together at my wholesale artisan bakery.
The Story That Started With a Loaf
My name is Michal, and I have been a chef for over twenty years, working in all kinds of kitchens. My story really started about ten years ago when I began making sourdough bread. Initially, I baked sourdough bread in the restaurant kitchen. Customers loved it so much, they started asking if we could deliver it to their local shops. Eventually, I decided to open my own kitchen. That is how it all began.
From there, the idea grew – slowly, naturally, much like the bread itself. We decided to move into our dedicated kitchen, and that is when we expanded. It gave us the space and focus to make bread, buns, and pastries the way we wanted – every single day – and to supply more businesses that wanted something better than mass-produced loaves.
A Day in Our Kitchen
Our day starts before the sun even thinks about rising. The mixers hum to life while the city still sleeps, and the first batch of sourdough begins its quiet transformation. We keep our process simple and pure – flour, water, salt – then time does the rest.
The White Sourdough is our classic: a golden crust, airy crumb, and that balanced tang you can spot from one bite. Then there is the 100% Rye Sourdough, darker, denser, and earthy, perfect for hearty breakfasts. The Wholemeal Sourdough has a wholesome taste and a nutty chew, while the Cranberry & Walnut is a little more playful – sweet bursts of fruit against the crunch of walnut. Our Caramelised Onion Sourdough brings savoury sweetness, the Poppy Seed Sourdough a gentle crunch in every slice.
While the sourdoughs rest and rise, we move on to the sweet temptation that is our donut range. These are not fill-the-gap snacks – they are centre-stage treats. From Mix Berry Jam and Custard, to Rhubarb & Strawberry and Mango & Passionfruit, every filling is made fresh, never from a jar. The Chocolate Donut has a deep, glossy finish people can spot through the window, while the Coconut Donut is like a holiday in pastry form. We have got Toffee, Cherry Confiture, Caramel Donuts, and Pistachio Donuts – each with its own loyal fan base.
By mid-morning, the sweet, buttery scent of brioche takes over the kitchen. Our Poppy Seed Brioche Buns are soft with a subtle crunch, the Cream Cheese ones rich and tangy. We make Black Currant, Cinnamon & Cherry Confiture, Chocolate & Vanilla Custard, White Buns, Granary Buns, and the ever-popular Poppy Seed Kaiser Rolls – all ready for wholesale deliveries and stacked high on shop windows.
And just when you think the day’s work is done, the Pizza Buns go in – Margarita, Pepperoni, and Mushroom – bringing the smell of bubbling cheese and tomato sauce in the mix.
It is a rhythm that repeats daily. Mix, knead, proof, bake, glaze, pack, and deliver. Every batch is fresh, every order crafted for that day only.
Serving Local Businesses in Limerick
Novak’s supplies bread, buns, and pastries across Limerick and beyond. Our little bakery, just off Kilmallock Road, is open Sunday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. The breads are baked fresh just before seven, so people can come in, wait a couple of minutes, and leave with bread still warm from the oven.
Wholesale deliveries go out earlier in the day, heading to restaurants, cafes, and hotels that rely on Novak’s Bakery for the backbone of their menu. One of those is the No. 1 Pery Square Hotel. They use our bread for their burgers and sandwiches, and they are very happy with it.
Rooted in Limerick’s Food Heritage
Our love for edible artistry is not a surprise here. Limerick’s food scene is built on some of the best raw ingredients in the world – produce that has been cultivated, reared, foraged, or crafted by families for generations. The rich, fertile soil and lush green grass support farmers, cheesemakers, and artisan producers who keep Ireland’s oldest food traditions alive.
That same ethos – fresh, local, sustainable – runs through Novak’s Bakery. The flour, salt, and water may seem simple, but they are chosen with care. Supporting local suppliers is how we give back to the wonderful Limerick community we are part of.
Fresh, Handcrafted, and Delivered With Pride
For us, wholesale is not about volume – it is about relationships. Every cafe or restaurant we supply becomes part of our extended kitchen. We know their menus, their peak hours, and their customers’ favourites. We bake not just for them, but with them in mind.
Because whether it is a rustic sourdough for a cafe in town or brioche burger buns for a busy hotel service, the principle remains the same: fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, time-honoured recipes, handcrafted, and delivered with pride.
Ready to Wholesale with Novak’s Bakery?
If you are running a cafe, restaurant, or a hotel in Limerick – or even further afield – you would want bread and buns that are as good as the rest of your menu, we would love to partner with you. We bake fresh, from scratch every day, with no artificial preservatives or additives.
Whether you need a few dozen sourdough loaves, soft brioche buns, or decadent pastries, we can make it happen.
Let us carry forward the Limerick food heritage, together.
