Black Forest Bakery SA

Black Forest Bakery | Bespoke German–South African Baking for World-Class Hospitality For close to 50 years, Black Forest Bakery – originally known as Café Echo – has served South Africa’s most prestigious hotels, luxury lodges, fine-dining establishments — and those with a distinguished palate. With handcrafted breads, cakes, and confections that blend German artisanship with South African soul, we bring timeless craft to the world of modern hospitality. Founded by Volker Speer in 1997 and now led by Maike Vandereydt-Speer and Chris Vandereydt, we specialize in premium, preservative-free baked goods made with only the finest natural ingredients. From our signature 60% Black Forest and 30% Swiss Rye sourdoughs to delicate finger sweets and custom cakes, every item is crafted with precision and purpose. We are also proud to serve health-conscious and vegan customers with naturally low-GI sourdoughs, ancient grain alternatives for wheat-free diets, and a wide range of vegan-friendly options—without ever compromising on taste, texture, or tradition. And above all, we are known for delivering not just exceptional products, but exceptional service. Our clients trust us for our reliability, responsiveness, and attention to detail—because true luxury is about both what you serve and how you’re served. We don’t mass-produce. We don’t compromise. We partner with clients who understand that every detail matters—and that excellence begins at the table.