Hikurangi Home Cookery, a small bakery just north of Whangārei, is turning heads thanks to its classic Kiwi treats. From cream buns to hearty meat pies, the bakery has long been a local favourite ~ and now it’s caught the attention of celebrity chef Al Brown.

Brown visited the bakery as part of a TikTok series, praising the raspberry-and-cream combo bun and highlighting the charm of traditional, home-style baking.

Manager Lenore Jellick says the appeal comes from sticking to the classics. “People come in and say, ‘I remember this from my childhood,’” she says.

The spotlight from Brown is helping put Hikurangi Home Cookery firmly on the map, showing that even small-town bakeries can capture big attention.

PLAY VIDEO HERE: Hikurangi Home Cookery features on Al Brown’s new video series

Revered chef Al Brown has started a video series trying – and reviewing – Hikurangi Home Cookery’s goods.

Video / Brodie Stone