True Character

I'm the fourth generation of my family to run Hickey's Bakery . . . and the second woman. My grandmother took over the business when her husband died suddenly. My father Eddie grew up in the bakery and learned the craft from his father and uncle. Dad was a brilliant baker and ahead of his time in many ways.

My brothers weren't interested in following in the family business . . . John and Eamon are accomplished show jumpers in Sweden. Jim runs a consultancy business in Galway.

We're most famous for our bracks . . . we ship them worldwide through our website.

My favourite thing about running the bakery is . . . the amazing smell of fresh bread every morning.

My favourite of our baked goods
is . . . our Crusty Grinder or Turnover as it is sometimes known. You can't beat it with lots of butter.

The best advice I've ever been given is . . . think twice before you do it.

If I wasn't doing this . . . I'd like to be a food photographer.

When I'm not working . . . I am at home spending precious time with my children.

My guilty pleasure is . . . good wine.
My favourite restaurant is . . . Chez Hans .

My dream dinner party guest would be . . . Jamie Oliver, President Obama, Nigella Lawson and Gabriel Byrne.

And I'd cook them . . . fresh prawns and T-bone steaks. And a fine Irish cheese board with a variety of chutneys.

Five things I always have in my larder are . . . passata, cheese, pasta, garlic and eggs.

But if I only had a tenner to go shopping with, I'd buy . . . potatoes, onions, butter and round steak mince.

My ideal day off is spent . . . at Clonea Strand running after a ball on the beach with the children and a fish and chip supper.

I'm really good at . . . supporting new ideas.

I wish I was better at . . . being more confident.

I often imagine myself . . . flying an aircraft.

Not many people know this about me, but . . . I always wanted to be a Rose of Tralee.

In conversation with
Marie- Claire Digby

See hickeysbakery.com