Responding to local demand, a Hatch End bakery which became kosher licensed late last year has this week added a sit-down lunch menu.

Dubliner Michael Feldman opened Bakers Cottage a year ago as an organic food operation. Although it did not do as well as he had hoped, he quickly came to appreciate that with a kosher butcher nearby, a kosher baker would be popular among the growing Hatch End community, plus Jews from neighbouring Pinner, Northwood and Ruislip.

After securing a London Beth Din licence, he reopened the bakery, serving teas, coffees and cakes. With the aid of former Beth Din employee Yossi Stauber, he is now offering hot soup, filled bagels, salads, and other kosher snacks to eat in or take away.

Among his customers is Leonie Lewis, director of the Jewish Volunteer Network, who lives in Pinner. "It is very important for us to have a good quality kosher bakery/café in our area," she said. "Pinner Synagogue members are supporting the bakery individually, and as a community - all the challah rolls for a recent Shabbaton were provided by the bakery."