Stroud’s award-winning Ori Hellerstein is the latest talented trader joining the growing list of local food producers at the Five Valleys indoor market later in the year.

Also known as The Artisan Baker, Ori has built up a following for his organic breads from all corners of the world - inspired by Ori’s childhood in Jerusalem where his mother ran a delicatessen in the German quarter of the city.

Ori’s organic breads, savouries and cakes are all baked fresh in his Gloucestershire kitchen and can be bought every Saturday at Stroud’s Farmers’ Market.

Now he’s expanding his business with the venture at Five Valleys market where he will bake and sell his range of organic artisan products.

The largest unit at the market, covering 855 sq. ft. will be transformed into the The Artisan Bakers professional kitchen and shop and is scheduled to be ready to open at the end of September.

Ori said: “I am so excited to be part of the new Five Valleys market, this definitely seems the right place for us to develop and expand the business alongside some really great local companies.

“We are really passionate about good quality local produce and its fantastic to be working with people who share that passion to celebrate the fantastic local food scene in Stroud.”

Ori trained as a chef at Le Cordon Bleau Cookery School in London but wanted to make his own bread in his own way, using organic, ethically sourced and where possible, local ingredients.

His distinctive products include The Nelson Loaf (a South African seed bread named after Nelson Mandela) as well as sourdough, walnut bread and Jerusalem bagels.

Many products are given Ori’s unique twist - there’s even a Painswick loaf which is a baking tribute to the village’s famous son Mr Twining.

Ori’s prominent fans include The Great British Menu’s Matthew Fort, who is a regular customer at his weekly market stall.

Matthew also wrote the foreword to Ori’s recent book, The Artisan Baker.

Centre manager at Five Valleys Dionne Moore said: “There is a real buzz about the market now more traders are opening up and the feedback has been fantastic.

“We wanted to find the right baker to join us and we are so pleased to be working with Ori – we can’t wait for that wonderful smell of his delicious bread to be filling the market every day.”