Baking in a Heatwave
The aircon is on full blast. Everything is melting. Staff included. It can only mean one thing … summer at Coosh is in full swing.
Working in a bakery during a heatwave is one of the most rock and roll things I’ve ever done. It’s hard core. Especially when said bakery has a temperamental air conditioning unit that, on some days, responds only to whimsical riddles, rhymes, and the occasional prayer. On some suffocating afternoons, I have seriously considered filling the pot wash with icy water and sitting amongst the pans until Chloe (my patisserie guru) tells me to get out, but sadly this is against health and safety measures, EHO standards and the wishes of Chloe – so I shall resist. Behind the whirring of our fans, you may hear the echoes of my desperate croissant lamination screams, as they snag and tear and burst between my clammy fingers. Without being dramatic, removing a liquefied lemon meringue from the display cabinet during peak Saturday hours arguably feels comparable to … brain surgery? (Note: I know no brain surgeons to corroborate this. My boyfriend is a doctor and he seems on the fence about my theory).
Delicately crafted viennoiserie and sensational sourdough bread is not meant to be made in the heat; especially the kind of disturbing temperatures we have experienced throughout July. We’ve been working doubly hard: whether that be resurrecting broken fridges whilst defying the laws of physics and refilling the working ones, reassessing our product range to still give you the best quality products we can, or ensuring we take dedicated precautions when cleaning our lovely little home to keep everything extra fresh and shiny. This is why we have been so grateful for your understanding about our occasional early closures on quieter days … we know it isn’t ideal, but the safety and sanity of our team is always our priority.
But hey, at least the seasonal fruit and veg is exciting again!!! It is wonderful that there is more to choose from than just a sad apple or a lonely pear. How joyful! Our summer selection this year is banging. From fresh salad boxes to zingy lunch time treats and savoury flavour bombs, to new light and flaky croissant creations (all hail the vanilla Lotus croissant) or to beautiful breads made for sharing in the summer sun … we really do know how to put on a spread.
One effective way I’ve been distracting myself from spontaneously combusting is by observing our ever-growing deli section in AWE. We now have such a delightful array of picky bits and pantry essentials on our shelves, perfect for you to peruse whilst standing in the Saturday queues. The ‘Torres Pickle Crisps’ and ‘Yuzu Story’ soda in particular have changed me deeply. Another brilliant way I have been keeping chilled is by living exclusively off iced coffee (switching to decaf when the jitters begin of course). If you’ve not tried one of our coffees before, I urge you to take the plunge and give it a go. I truly do believe we have the best coffee in Mapperley, if not Nottingham, if not the world.
I think I will end it there for now. I hope everyone is staying safe in these sweaty times. If anyone needs me, I’ll be popping ice cubes down my top under the shade of our skip. Happy Summer!
Lottie Clark 20/07/2026