Cornucopia Bakery
Meet Zahir, the culinary talent behind Cornucopia, an artisan bakery situated in Castle Cove, Willoughby. Zahir is dedicated on delivering a wholesome, homely bakery experience to the local community. From handcrafted pies with premium ingredients to freshly baked goods prepared throughout the day, his creations embody the essence of family and deliciousness.
After years as a fine dining chef in London and Berlin, Zahir's priorities shifted when he became a parent. He established Cornucopia as a daytime operation that would offer both a balanced lifestyle and a way to share his culinary expertise with the neighbourhood. With Castle Cove Primary School nearby and no school canteen, Cornucopia naturally became a popular spot for students to enjoy freshly made food. The bakery hosts fundraisers for the school's peer support programs and runs popular baking workshops that have developed a cult following among local residents.
Cornucopia is firmly rooted in the local community, creating meaningful job opportunities for teenagers from the neighbourhood seeking their first work experience. The bakery also partners with Omnia Inclusive to provide employment for young people with disabilities, giving them valuable work skills and confidence. Understanding the importance of reliability, Zahir keeps Cornucopia's doors open 365 days a year specifically to serve the needs of the Castle Cove community.
Zahir says
‘The ovens are in the front. We don't bake at night. We bake in the morning and we bake during the day.’.
'Castle Cove is such a beautiful area. It's a community area with lots of kids around here, and it also has one of the most busiest swimming schools just behind us.'
'The local kids who grew up here, 14, 15, they need a job. They start here. We also provide job opportunities for a program called Omnia Inclusive, which is a program dedicated to helping kids with disability.'
'Here in Castle Cove and in Naremburn, we are all in the same boat, the butcher helps us out, even the cafe down the road. We supplied them. I think it's tough at the moment, so we need to show support.'
How to support this business
You can help Cornucopia thrive by:
- Watching and sharing Support Local videos across your social media platforms.
- Informing friends, family and neighbours that an artisan bakery offering fresh, handcrafted products is available in Castle Cove, Willoughby.
- Stopping by Cornucopia to experience their signature pies and community atmosphere where ‘carbs and caffeine’ blend with excellent vibes and friendly customer service.
Castle Cove is a picturesque suburb on Sydney's lower North Shore, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and urban convenience. This tightly-held community, located just 11 km north of Sydney's CBD, boasts impressive views of Middle Harbour and a tranquil, village-like atmosphere.
At the heart of Castle Cove is a small but vibrant shopping stripe, providing residents with convenient local amenities like Castle Cove Family Dental, Castle Cove Butchery and Carlile Swimming School.
Castle Cove's unique appeal lies in its ability to maintain a peaceful, suburban feel while providing easy access to larger commercial hubs. Express buses to the Sydney CBD and proximity to Chatswood ensure that residents can enjoy the best of both worlds - a quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood with urban conveniences just a short distance away.
How to get involved with Support Local
Support Local is Willoughby City Council’s campaign to spotlight exceptional local businesses that contribute to the area's economic vitality and cultural vibrancy. Through engaging storytelling, video features and interviews, the campaign celebrates the entrepreneurs behind high-quality businesses that offer something truly unique to the local community.
Businesses that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Demonstrate high quality in products or services
- Offer unique and innovative experiences
- Attract residents to local centres and draw visitors to Willoughby
- Enhance the area’s economic and cultural diversity
The campaign supports the broader goal of encouraging residents to shop locally, sustaining jobs and helping shield the community from wider economic challenges. Featuring in Support Local is an opportunity to gain valuable exposure while strengthening Willoughby’s position as a vibrant and distinctive place to live, work and visit.
Businesses that align with the local economic development strategy and contribute to increased foot traffic in the area will be prioritised.
Business nomination form