SIN GLUTEN BAKERY FLOURISHES

Sin Gluten Bakery: From a Bus Ride Conversation to a Flourishing Business

What started as a casual conversation during a bus ride has blossomed into a thriving gluten-free bakery for Southend’s 30-year-old entrepreneur, Thomas Everett.

Sin Gluten Bakery, named after the Spanish phrase for “no gluten,” was inspired by a trip Thomas took with his partner, Emma Winterford, 40, to Barcelona in March 2023. The couple was amazed by the exceptional quality of gluten-free cafes and bakeries in the city.

“My partner is celiac, and we were blown away by how good the gluten-free options were in Barcelona. The quality was far superior to what we have here,” Thomas explains.

What began as a light-hearted idea on the X30 bus quickly transformed into a serious business venture. Thomas, with his industry connections—his friend successfully ran a market stall—had an advantage in understanding the trade.

However, entering the gluten-free market required extensive research, sourcing high-quality suppliers, and mastering gluten-free baking techniques.

“Emma is really skilled with savory foods, so she taught me how to make sausage rolls and pinwheels. Bread has been the hardest to perfect in terms of quality,” Thomas said.

After months of preparation, Sin Gluten officially launched in October 2023. Selling at Colchester Market on Saturdays and Southend on Thursdays, the bakery quickly gained traction, exceeding Thomas’ expectations.

“The first day went so well—I was pleasantly surprised. It showed me there was a real demand for quality gluten-free products,” he added.

Sin Gluten Bakery offers a range of gluten-free treats, also catering to the growing vegan market with dairy-free options. One of its biggest hits is the caramel apple pie, a customer favorite.

“Even if you aren’t gluten-free, try it. The taste is better than many big-name bakeries because we’ve worked hard to perfect the quality,” Thomas says.

Currently balancing his bakery business with a shipping job, Thomas hopes to transition Sin Gluten into a full-time endeavor. With aspirations to expand into more markets, he remains committed to delivering exceptional products.

“Quality is the most important thing for me.”