In May 2026, Harley Lloyd and his wife Rachel will celebrate 21 years as the owners of Jindera Bakery in Jindera, a small town in the Riverina region of NSW, some 15 kilometres north of Albury.
“We’ve been together 30 years. We get along and work well together; we have a lot of positive love between me and Rach and our business and that makes it easy,” Harley says, explaining the secret to both a successful business and marriage.
Starting out as an apprentice chef, Harley’s original goal was to have his own restaurant. “But then an opportunity came up at a club I worked in which had a pastry kitchen; I went from second-in-charge to head pastry chef. Then I was offered to go to one of the biggest clubs in NSW, Bankstown Sports Club, and run that alongside head chef Helmut Gundendorfer. He taught me a lot of things and is the main inspiration who got me to where I am.”
Where he is today is a staple of the Jindera community, where the Jindera Bakery is known for good coffee, good conversation, and a good meat pie. “Being a chef helps with my pie products because I know what goes with what, what matches up with what, and what seasonings to use to get the best flavour out of the pie. I’m very passionate about the end product and that it’s spot on and has good flavour.”
“Beef is your main base for all your mince pies, and our chunky beef pie is probably one of the best,” Harley says, paying credit to the local butcher, Brad, from whom he sources his beef and lamb; the lamb, mint and rosemary pie is another popular order: slow cooked for three hours, with potato, rosemary and fresh mint jelly. “A beautiful pie!” Harley proudly exclaims. And just as important as what goes into a pie is what holds it together. “Your pie base is different to your top. The top of your pie is a puff pastry, which is more flaky and folded, whereas your base is the dough that you roll out and don’t have to fold.” Both types Harley makes from scratch, of course.
“I feel like when you’re eating a pie in winter — my pie sales triple and quadruple in winter time — and the steam’s coming out and you’re battling to eat it, that’s the best way to eat it! Taking your time and not shovelling it in,” Harley suggests. So, if you happen to be passing through Jindera this winter, why not take the time to say ‘hi’ to Harley and Rachel and try one of those freshly made pies?
www.facebook.com/JinderaBakery
Shop 2 – 3 Jindera Plaza , Urana St, Jindera NSW 2642
