Alex Iordanov Alex Bake 3057

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Alex Bake 3057 makes French-inspired pastries, sourdough bread and toasties from a row of repurposed shipping containers on Merri Creek.

The bakery is owned by Alex and his business partner Anna. Alex’s path to baking began almost by accident, when a friend, James, needed someone to test-drive a bread course he’d put together. Alex volunteered, and never stopped making bread after that. He went on to work alongside James in a woodfired bakery, and discovered that baking felt exactly like what he was meant to be doing with his life. So much so that baking hardly feels like work at all.

Alex moved to Melbourne from France in 2009, and he and his family have called Thornbury home for the past 16 years—with the bakery just across the Merri from where they live.

We speak with Alex about why Thornbury feels like home, the locals he’s inspired by, and the latest baked treats taking over his kitchen.

(Photos by Organic Media)

Mosey Guide (mg): What is your connection to Thornbury?

Alex Iordanov (ai): I moved to Melbourne in 2009 and have always lived in the area. My kid actually came to the world in Thornbury! I love this area and it surely feels like home these days.

(mg) What does Thornbury mean to you?

(ai) Mostly, Progressive Australia, good community.

Baker Anna of Alex Bakes shaping baguette dough in the bakery kitchen, wearing a golden yellow t-shirt and sage green apron as she works a row of dough portions into a floured linen couche on a stainless steel bench, a second baker in a white t-shirt and dark apron working alongside her in the background, capturing the focused teamwork and quiet rhythm of an artisan bakery in full production.

(mg) How does being in Thornbury shape what you do?

(ai) The area just makes you feel like you are in the countryside. There are some busy parts, but most of where I spend my days is filled with trees, birds and beautiful creative people. We feel really blessed to be in such a beautiful spot. It’s very grounding and I find being at peace very beneficial to be creative and in tune with the complexity of sourdough baking.

(mg) What does your perfect day in Thornbury look like?

(ai) Not a too hot day. Dropping my kid at school, having a run along the Merri, followed up by a sauna at Sauna Goose, some banh mi lunch somewhere, and read a book along the Merri.

(mg) Who are the other makers, creators, or people in the neighbourhood that inspire you?

(ai) Professionally, I am always inspired by the work of Quentin Berthonneau from Oji House. He is an example of dedication and professionalism when it comes to sourdough and naturally leavened products. He has a school on High Street (further up in Preston).

My friend Hemi (Ceres Merri head chef and owner of True North, Coburg). He is a great chef and knows how to run a kitchen menu from seasonal ingredients. He is always, pickling or fermenting something from whatever seasonal bush he is harvesting at Ceres.

(mg) What are you working on right now that excites you?

(ai) We have started to do a croissant bun menu. Think tiramisu bun, strawberry cheese cake bun, mango and coconut etc. (check Insta).
It has been so much fun playing with flavours and developing a menu for those. They are fun to make and people seem to love them.

The area just makes you feel like you are in the countryside ... most of where I spend my days is filled with trees, birds and beautiful creative people.

Two scenes from a visit to Alex Bakes: on the left, a close-up of a golden caramelised scroll on a blue patterned ceramic plate beside a powder blue cup of coffee on a weathered timber table; on the right, a lively outdoor gathering of cyclists and locals beneath golden yellow umbrellas in the bakery's laneway courtyard, dominated by a large-scale street art mural of a seated figure in purple and orange reading a book on a butter yellow wall, capturing the warmth and community spirit of a beloved neighbourhood bakery.

(mg) What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken?

(ai) Rainbow Serpent 2015... Hahaha

(mg) Where is your next travel destination?

(ai) Darwin and Northern Territory to do a road trip across the desert. I haven’t done it since my backpacker years. I want to see that mighty sky again.

(mg) How has travel changed the way you see the world?

(ai) I am from somewhere in France, that in insight, feels so far away from the reality of the world. Travelling changed everything! The people you meet, the experiences. Nothing is better than going out there to find out what the world has to offer and what it can bring out of you. Travelling is probably one of the greatest teachers.

(mg) If you could recommend anywhere in the world for a mosey, where would it be?

(ai) I feel like I need to give 2.

One being Paris. I just love just to walk and around and discover the place.

Second being here!
Victoria. I’ve been exploring and it keeps on giving. We live in a special place!

Nothing is better than going out there to find out what the world has to offer and what it can bring out of you. Travelling is probably one of the greatest teachers.

Merri Creek winding through a lush riparian corridor of silver-barked eucalyptus, dense native understorey and vivid green grasses, the shallow rocky creek bed catching the light beneath a canopy of gum trees against a bright blue summer sky, evoking the serene and restorative character of one of Melbourne's most beloved urban nature escapes.

Local knowledge

Favourite local ingredient or product:
Any chocolate coming from Atelier Chocolat

What to do beyond High Street: 
A swim in Warrandyte

Best coffee in the neighbourhood: 
Short Round

Favourite shop: 
The Arts Collection. If you are into mid century furniture or need to get one fixed, look no further!

Go-to spot to reset or find inspiration: 
Jones Park, sunset time.

Favourite time of day in Thornbury:
We start at 3am to bake and if I can catch a break, the moment just before sunrise, you can’t beat that. The world sits still, the sky is usually beautiful. Power for the day ahead.

Neighbourhood must-eats: 
Chilli mussels at the Wesley Anne.
Saigon Bites banh mi.
Luther’s Scoops ice cream (the sourdough one).

Neighbourhood’s best kept secret: 
They are no secret, but the 303.

24 hours in Melbourne: 
Ok, well we’ll start for some pastries and coffee at the shop. Go for a drive either to a beach, river or forest walk somewhere. Back to town for some nice vino at Gemini wine bar and diner at Waxflower.