The Baker of the Year winner in the Farm Shop & Deli Awards is on the search for a second site. 

Dee Monteleone scooped top place in the awards for her business Dee Light Bakery in Balham, south-west London.

Having run Dee Light in this guise for three years, she is looking for a second site that will be nearby in south-west areas such as Earlsfield, Vauxhall or more centrally in Balham.

Monteleone also plans to further expand the wholesale side of the business, which already accounts for around 60% of turnover.

The 30-cover shop attracts mothers on the school run with its sizeable creche for children. Monteleone says it has developed a strong community feel, with regulars returning. “Having the creche definitely adds customers,” she told British Baker. “I wanted one because I know what it’s like to be a mother and need somewhere child-friendly.”

Despite being so busy in-store, the business also does around 40% of sales as take-away trade.