Situated alongside The Central Fire Station Bistro within one of Napier's standout Art Deco landmarks, Baked by Central Fire Station is a specialty artisan bakery and pastry house helmed by pastry chef and co-owner Florencia Menehem.
Drawing on baking traditions rooted in her family's kitchen in Argentina alongside classical pastry craft, the bakery counter is stocked daily with cakes, delicate tarts, rich mousses, flaky pastries, and fresh scones. In tandem with pastry chef Dan Hillier-Jones, the kitchen also crafts naturally leavened sourdough bread and artisan wheat-free loaves, bringing a dedicated focus on real, uncomplicated baking to Napier South.
Located along Tennyson Street in the historic core of Napier South, Baked by Central Fire Station operates at the vibrant crossroads of European baking heritage and Hawke's Bay local bounty. Nestled inside one of Napier's architectural Art Deco treasures alongside The Central Fire Station Bistro, this dedicated bakery outpost brings classical patisserie craftsmanship directly to the counter.
At the helm of the sweet side of the operation is pastry chef and co-owner Florencia Menehem. Florencia's journey began in family kitchens across Argentina, learning traditional pastry technique alongside her grandmother Mena and great-aunty Biche over Sunday afternoon teas. Bringing that foundational joy into modern professional craft, her counters and cabinets feature an ever-evolving showcase of decadent mousses, delicate seasonal fruit tarts, rich scones, and centerpiece celebration cakes.
Complementing the sweet pastries is an uncompromising artisan bread program developed with pastry chef Dan Hillier-Jones. Drawing on classical culinary backgrounds from top kitchens across New Zealand and Australia, the team produces freshly baked sourdough characterized by a crisp crust and open, tender crumb. Dan oversees the dough fermentation process daily, bringing a disciplined and creative edge to everyday loaves alongside dedicated in-house wheat-free bread options.
The bakery philosophy mirrors the wider Central Fire Station estate: uncomplicated food that highlights prime regional suppliers. Ingredients are carefully gathered from independent local producers across the region, from specialty stone-milled flours to artisan dairy suppliers like Hohepa Dairy and organic fruit growers Poppa Pete's Organic Harvest.
Whether stopping by to pick up freshly baked loaves for the table, ordering custom sweet treats, or indulging in plated dessert creations, Baked by Central Fire Station delivers a warm, sensory experience. Patrons can pair delicate sweet financiers and rich chocolate mousse with expertly poured cups of Hawke's Bay roast Third Eye Coffee, enjoying one of the region's finest baking displays in an iconic architectural setting.