Some smells stop you in your tracks, and fresh bread is near the top of the list. On High Street, Armadale, that smell often leads to Phillippa's, at 1030 High Street, a bakery and provisions shop that has been a fixture of Melbourne's food scene for three decades. Behind the counter is a simple idea that has not changed since the beginning: real ingredients, traditional methods and, in the bakery's own words, "no shortcuts, no tricks".
A vision from 1994
Phillippa's began with Phillippa Grogan, who had a vision to create a bakery and provisions shop where everything was made using traditional, time-honoured recipes and techniques with the best ingredients available, local where possible and often organic. Since 1994, the business says, Phillippa and her team of chefs and bakers have not wavered from those founding principles.
Today Phillippa's describes itself as a leading premium wholesale and retail bakery, supplying Melbourne's public and discerning retailers. It remains an Australian family-owned and run business, and it talks about making great food every day to enjoy with family, friends and customers. The Armadale shop is one of two retail stores, alongside Brighton.
Sourdough that takes its time
Bread is at the heart of it. Phillippa's makes real, naturally fermented sourdough, and it is upfront about why that is rare: it takes time and skill. Some of its breads, the bakery explains, take 24 to 36 hours to make. That long, slow fermentation is what gives a proper sourdough its flavour, its crust and its keeping quality, and it is why regulars plan their week around a loaf.
The pastry counter follows the same philosophy. Phillippa's lists traditional and authentic croissants, pain au chocolat, Danish and cheese twists, along with sweet biscuits, slices, cakes and desserts. The shop's job listings describe on-site baking using original recipes and real ingredients, with products focused on freshness and the season, and pastries, cakes and yeasted products made from scratch.
More than a bakery
This is also a provisions shop in the old sense. The Armadale store offers a large variety of house-made meals, sandwiches, preserves and pantry items, making it as useful for a weeknight dinner as for a weekend treat. Phillippa's makes granola and pear muesli, spiced nuts and savoury cheese biscuits, which the bakery suggests are perfect for nibbling on or for gifting.
Gifting is a speciality. Phillippa's packs luxury gourmet hampers with its own provisions, wrapped in a gift box, which is worth remembering as the end of year approaches and corporate and family gift lists start to grow. The bakery also shares some of its recipes so that home cooks can try their hand at Phillippa's favourites.
A local team
Phillippa's talks warmly about its people. Its job advertisements describe a team that is passionate and engaged, that meets producer-suppliers to understand their produce, and that gets to know regular customers. For a High Street shop, that sense of community is part of the appeal: you come for the bread, and you come back for the familiar faces.
Visit Phillippa's Armadale
You will find Phillippa's at 1030 High Street, a few minutes' walk from the tram. Opening hours were not listed on the pages we checked, so call the Armadale shop or check the website before you make a special trip. Go early for the best choice of loaves, pick up something sweet for later, and consider a hamper for the people on your Christmas list.
Contact
Phillippa's Bakery
1030 High Street, Armadale VIC 3143
Phone: 0477 666 778
Email: shop@phillippas.com.au
Website: phillippas.com.au
Hours: Not published on the pages checked; call the Armadale shop or check the website
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