Meet John Slattery of Slattery Chocolatier
Meet
John Slattery, the owner of a three-story ‘emporium of treats’ based in
Whitefield, Slattery Patissier and Chocolatier! John was 14 when the business
was started and he was involved from the beginning, helping in the bakery after
school and on the weekend. Later, John moved onto formal training at Salford
College, before making his way to Switzerland and wider Europe, gaining further
qualifications and experience in baking and confectionery.
With
Slattery now a third-generation generation family business, we discussed all
things past and present with John, from his early confectionery beginnings, to what
he loves most about his job and what inspires new creations at Slattery. Read on to discover more about your favourite
Manchester confectioner.
Christmas
is the perfect time to tuck into Slattery’s famous chocolate and treat your loved
ones. Explore the indulgent show-stopping Slattery stocking fillers we can
bring to your doorstep here.
What did you learn from your time in Europe and did it inspire any creations today?
Still today, the strict formal training in European and Swiss Bakeries is the envy of the world. Inspiring great crafts persons with their amazing skills, it was fantastic to learn techniques from some of the world’s finest. Did it inspire any creations today, you ask…? I hope you can see a continental flair running through some of our confectionery items.
As a third-generation family business, how important is passing your skills to the next generation?
Very important! Passing on our skills to the next generation is at the core of what we do at Slattery to ensure our craft continues and grows. Involvement from the Slattery family has enabled our business to flourish, from the 1980s when Ann (John’s sister), Steve (Ann’s husband) and myself swept the UK with Slattery sweetness, winning the UK Bakers of the Year award for four years in a row, to when my daughter Laura joined the business full time in 2002 after completing a degree in Business Studies at Nottingham Trent University.
Eight immediate members of the family and three extended family members now work together on the same site to keep our emporium of treats moving. Two members of the younger generation are learning the tricks of the trade and are keen to join the business when they’re old enough, so Slattery is set continue to a fourth generation in the near future!
Slattery has a rich history in Manchester. Why are you proud to be a part of the city?
Proud Mancunians, my parents (Margret and Bernard) opened their first bakery in Crumpsall back in 1967 and the name Slattery has been synonymous with Manchester ever since. Manchester is a great city with great people, with our Worker Bee emblem symbolising the hive of industry that our city is! I have lived and worked in Manchester all my life, and I am very proud to say this is my home.
Can you describe Slattery in 5 words?
A unique family destination business.
What do you love most about your job and what inspires new creations at Slattery?
The fact that every day is different! We always get requests for something new to keep us on our toes - these requests are what inspire many new creations at Slattery. Our customers, always requesting the wacky and wonderful, provide a lot of creative juice for our cake artists.
What is your favourite Slattery creation to make and why?
I enjoy simple traditional cakes both to make and eat (I have a very sweet tooth). We also love when we’re approached with ideas from our customers and creating new cakes for special occasions. Adding that personalised touch is one of the best parts of Slattery creations and it’s great to wow our customers with unique cakes.
How do you create the perfect truffle?
Quality ingredients and attention to detail – and, as always, the love to create a product that delights.
Why are Slattery and Creamline a great match?
Slattery and Creamline are a great match because we have the same ethics as family businesses: the customer comes first, quality is of prime importance, and we listen. From our kitchens in Whitefield, Creamline can bring Slattery chocolate to your doorstep. Whether it’s Christmas, Easter or another special time of the year, keep your eyes peeled for our specially crafted creations for some sweet seasonal cheer!
