On World Baking Day, much-loved London bakery and baking school Bread Ahead will officially launch The Future Bakers Project, a bold long-term initiative designed to teach one million children and young adults to bake for free over the next decade.
Rooted in the belief that baking is more than a recipe – it is confidence, creativity, wellbeing and an essential life skill – the programme combines in-person workshops, downloadable recipe content, and a national digital learning platform, making baking education accessible to young people everywhere.
The initiative is led by baker and founder Matthew Jones, who began Bread Ahead in 2013 from a small Borough Market stall and has since grown it into an internationally recognised bakery brand.
A day of baking, creativity and community at Borough Market
The launch event at Bread Ahead Borough will bring together families, young bakers, partners and the wider community for a full day of free workshops, live baking experiences and interactive learning, alongside downloadable sessions for those joining from home.
Launch Day Schedule – Sunday 17 May 2026
10:00–10:30 – Opening address: Matthew Jones
10:30–11:30 – Scones & Jam Family Workshop
A hands-on friends and family influencer led baking session
11:45–12:45 – THE BIG BAKE OFF: Freestyle Focaccia
A landmark community bake featuring Bread Ahead’s signature long focaccias, prepared and topped by all the young Future Bakers in attendance.
13:00–14:00 – Top Secret Cookie Workshop
A themed children’s bake-along making intergalactic “blue cookies”, with downloadable recipe packs and an online version available.
14:15–15:15 – Scones & Jam Public Baking Workshop
A major collaborative baking session bringing together partners, guest bakers and young participants.
15:15–16:00 – Closing celebration
Throughout the day, visitors can explore interactive partner stalls, Future Bakers information points, and live baking demonstrations, as well as take part in our Junior Bakers competition – where one lucky winner attending launch day will see their chosen bake featured on the Bread Ahead menu for a day. There will also be opportunities to sign up for upcoming workshops and digital sessions.
A national baking movement
The Future Bakers Project is a long-term initiative dedicated to teaching 1,000,000 young people to bake over the next decade, combining hands-on learning with accessible digital education.
The programme will be delivered through three core pillars:
- London Flagship Workshops – weekly children’s baking sessions available at Bread Ahead Borough Market (on Mondays) and Wembley (on Tuesdays). Get in touch with futurebakers@breadahead.com to book in your workshop.
- Digital Learning Platform – Future Bakers webpage featuring downloadable recipes and content, links to lessons and resources.
- Community & Partner-Led Activity – working with schools, youth organisations, charities and cultural institutions across the UK and internationally.
The Future Bakers webpage will go live on Friday 1st May 2026, providing full programme information, booking access and downloadable resources for families, schools and young bakers.
Partners helping shape the future of baking
The initiative is supported by leading organisations committed to creativity, education and youth wellbeing, including:
Clarence Court / Disney / Marriage’s Flour
Together, these partners will help deliver themed baking experiences, educational content and ingredient-led learning opportunities both in person and online.
A future built on confidence, creativity and possibility
The Future Bakers Project aims to reach:
- 100,000 young people by 2028
- 500,000 by 2032
- 1,000,000 by 2036
But beyond the numbers lies a deeper ambition – to spark a generation who see baking not just as a skill, but as a source of confidence, imagination and connection.
- A generation who know their hands can create something that matters.
- A generation confident in their knowledge and real-world life skills.
- A generation determined to succeed, achieve and never give up.
- A generation responsible, resilient, and ready to shape the future.
Get involved
Parents, schools, teachers and youth organisations are invited to take part from launch:
- Download recipes and activity packs
- Book children’s baking workshops
- Register schools and youth groups
- Explore online learning content
For enquiries, partnerships or bookings please email futurebakers@breadahead.com
A final word
“Back in 2013, it started with a single market stall in Borough Market and a simple belief – that baking brings people together. What has grown since is a community built around sharing real life skills, confidence and creativity with the next generation. The Future Bakers Project is about passing that on – opening the kitchen to young people everywhere and showing them what they are truly capable of. Because when you learn to bake, you don’t just learn recipes, you learn resilience, independence and joy. This is your kitchen, your moment – your chance to rise.” — Matthew Jones
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