A management consultant has left behind a 23-year corporate career to pursue his dream of opening a traditional bakery.

Zio Mario café and bakery, which sells Italian street-style snacks, is the brainchild of Roberto Cavicchia.

The artisan bakery and café has opened at developer Downing’s The Railyard site - taking a ground floor corner unit in the complex that also houses student accommodation in the upper levels.

Cavicchia said: “Baking is in my blood. My mother’s family in Italy have been bakers for generations and it’s something I’ve always been passionate about.

“After a long and successful career travelling across Europe as a management consultant, I decided I needed to follow my real passion and develop the skills to turn my hobby into a full-time role.”

Dishes on offer include farinata, a pancake made from chickpea flour baked in a heavy copper pot, Italian muffins and focaccia.