Loaf Story Toasts Success at the Tonbridge Business Awards 2026

Artisan microbakery Loaf Story, based in South Tonbridge, Kent, is delighted to have been crowned Micro Business of the Year at the Tonbridge Business Awards 2026.

Loaf Story specialises in handmade sourdough loaves, focaccias and a variety of buttery, flaky traditional French pastries, all made with slow fermentation and high-quality ingredients. It was founded by the passionate French-born baker, Hélène Lo.

Hélène moved to the UK in 2008 and spent 16 years in the corporate world. During her first pregnancy, she began craving the familiar tastes of home – the crusty loaves, buttery croissants and comforting flavours of her French childhood. Wanting her daughter to grow up with those same traditions, she began baking. What began as a personal project became a passion, and then a profession as Hélène took the leap in 2025 to leave her corporate career behind and run the microbakery full-time.

The Tonbridge Business Awards celebrate the successes and achievements of the businesses and businesspeople shaping Tonbridge. Organised by the TN Awards Company, this year’s winners in 12 categories were crowned at a glittering awards ceremony at Tonbridge School.

“If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be on a stage to receive an award, I wouldn’t have believed you!” said Hélène Lo, founder of Loaf Story. “It was an honour to receive the award from Hazel Hall from Get Ahead Kent, whom I met a week after launching Loaf Story. Hazel believed in my bakes and encouraged me to attend our local Metro Bank Get Connected networking event with some samples. I have now been catering for the events every month for the last year.

This award celebrated my achievements as a solo entrepreneur, and although a lot of my day is spent alone in my kitchen, this journey wouldn’t have been possible without the numerous mentors and cheerleaders I have met along the way. Networking is crucial for unlocking opportunities and keeping your sanity as an entrepreneur.

Many people fantasise about launching their own business. Only a few are mad enough to make the jump, and even fewer stick with it after living through the stress and sleepless nights. A huge thank you to my mum for holding my hand through the process.”

Category sponsor Hazel Hall of Get Ahead Kent added, “It was wonderful to open the envelope and present the award to Hélène Lo from Loaf Story. The award was so well deserved. Her cinnamon buns are amazing! Congratulations to all the finalists and award winners. The evening really showed the talent, expertise and creativity in Tonbridge.”

Loaf Story’s award-winning bakery delights, described by customers as the best pastries they have ever tasted, are available from a range of pop-ups, events, farm shops and markets in and around Tonbridge, including Sussex Road Primary School and Tonbridge Castle. Monthly schedules of where to find Loaf Story products are available on Instagram and Facebook.