As soon as you walk into Sweet As Choice Bakery in New Lynn, Auckland, you're greeted with Kiwi nostalgia. Paige owns and operates the store, which is decorated with iconic Kiwi memorabilia. The shop reminds you of the quintessential Kiwi bach, complete with classic sweet treats like lolly cake, marshmallow slices, ginger crunch, and afghans.
For Paige, opening the bakery was a dream come true. “I started Sweet As Choice Bakery about a year ago, but baking has always been my passion,” she shares. “I wanted to create a place that celebrates Kiwi classics—the kind of treats your grandma used to make.”
Paige started off selling her baking at local markets, but as demand grew, she launched a website that made it easier for customers to get their hands on her cookies and slices. She opened a shopfront late last year, giving her bakery a permanent home.
The name ‘Sweet As Choice Bakery’ comes straight out of Kiwi culture. “I wanted something that reflected New Zealand,” Paige explains. “I say ‘sweet as’ all the time, and ‘choice’ is another classic Kiwi term. Putting them together just made sense—it tells people we’re their number one stop for sweet things.”
Since her bakery creates fresh, perishable items, food waste is a challenge, so joining Foodprint was a no brainer for Paige. “It’s a great initiative that allows us to cut down on food waste,” she says. “Not only do we get to recover some of the costs of unsold items, but we’re also doing our part to reduce waste and be more sustainable.”
Paige is always thinking about what’s coming next.. One major goal is to open a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. “We get so many requests for gluten-free treats, and we want to be able to guarantee that they’re safe for those with allergies,” she explains.
Looking after her littlest customers, Paige offers kids’ baking classes. “We invite little ones into the bakery to whip up their own Kiwi classics,” Paige says. “It’s so much fun watching them get hands-on, especially since a lot of parents don’t love having a messy kitchen at home. Here, they can make all the mess they want, and they’re so proud to take their creations home to share with their families.”
Sweet As Choice Bakery has quickly become a beloved spot for classic Kiwi treats. Whether you’re after a nostalgic slice or looking to support a sustainable local business, Sweet As Choice is a bakery you need to visit. Don’t worry if you’re not in Auckland, you can order online for delivery anywhere in the country!
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