Our Story - From 1972 to Today

Where Darfield Bakery Started

The story of Darfield Bakery begins in the early 1970s, when Dorothy Beatty brought her love of baking and cake decorating to the Darfield community. Around 1972, Dorothy began creating and selling her baked goods locally, quickly becoming known for her exquisite wedding and celebration cakes. She published "The New Zealand Cake Decorating Guide in 1974".
 Her passion and craftsmanship helped inspire a generation of home bakers, and her work laid the foundation for what would become a long-standing local bakery business.

A New Era - 2025 and Beyond

On 3 February 2025, Josh Peterson, Joe Daly, and Daryl & Nicky Collier sold Darfield Bakery to Nicole & Gus and Kate & Jonny - the Lang family. With strong roots in the Selwyn and Rakaia Gorge areas, the Lang family are committed to keeping the bakery’s community spirit alive while bringing in fresh ideas and menu innovations. For them, Darfield Bakery is more than a business - it’s a community landmark, a place to pause on the journey, share a conversation, and enjoy something delicious.