Our Byron Community with Chris Hanley
Our Byron community is a podcast that explores the unique and diverse community here in Byron Bay. From how people ended up here to the thriving business scene, we cover a wide range of topics that make our community so special. We dive deep into the stories and experiences of locals, and share insights on everything from sustainability and wellness to art and culture. Whether you're a longtime resident or a visitor, join us as we celebrate and explore all things Byron!
Our Byron Community with Chris Hanley
The Making of The Bread Social | Sam Saulwicks Journey in Food and Business
In this episode, we sit down with Sam Saulwick - co-founder of The Bread Social and long-time Byron Bay local with deep ties to the town’s hospitality scene.
Sam was born in Colombia and adopted by a Byron Bay family, moving here in 1983. His family quickly became part of the community, running the Beach Café from 1984 and later Oriental Express, one of the town’s go-to restaurants in the early 2000s. Growing up, Sam went to St Finbar’s and Trinity, and like many locals, found himself working in hospitality from a young age.
He shares reflections on life in a tourist town, where hospitality plays such a central role, and how starting out on the floor gave him the grounding for everything that came after. After travelling, Sam spent time in Sydney at Central Baking Depot, where he began to shift away from hospitality centred on alcohol and towards baking. That path eventually brought him back to Byron, where he and Paul worked at Harvest, formed relationships with The Farm as it was being established, and opened a bakery on-site.
Sam talks about the value of hard work, the importance of recognising and supporting it in others, and what it takes to build and sustain a business with a strong culture. His story takes us from the early days of family-run businesses through to the creation of one of the region’s most loved bakeries.
If you’d like to share your story or provide feedback, please contact us via email at chrishanley@byronbayfn.com