Locals Loving Lavender: Artisan Baking with Steph from Just Roll with It - Huntlee, Hunter Valley

Blog Post Three | 22/04/2025

At Wine Country Lavender, we love connecting with fellow creatives and makers in the Hunter Valley who share our passion for nature, craftsmanship, and all things calming. In our new blog series, Locals Loving Lavender, we’ll be rolling out stories (and maybe even some dough 😉) with community members and visitors who have a unique connection to lavender. From artists to artisans, gardeners to chefs, we’ll explore how this magical plant blends into their lives, work, and well-being. Stay tuned for delicious tales, local talent, and a whole lot of lavender love!

This week, we’re chatting with Steph Fisher, the creative baker behind Just Roll with It, who bakes delectable artisan sourdough creations, some with a unique twist - lavender! She shares how lavender adds a sprinkle of magic to her baking, her go-to recipes, and why this aromatic herb is her one of not-so-secret ingredients.

Meet Steph from Just Roll with It

Steph with her wonderful sourdough display

Just Roll with It, in Huntlee, is a small batch, home-based micro bakery in the Hunter Valley.

Steph has been baking her whole life, but she took the leap to share it with the wider community in 2024.

Steph recently shifted from full-time nursing to part-time because "truthfully, everyone has been loving my bread and demand has grown so much. I feel really valued with flour on my hands! Baking is happiness and a kind of therapy for me.” says Steph.

“It’s grounding, creative, and deeply satisfying. There’s something so wholesome about turning a few simple ingredients into something nourishing, whilst getting back to basics with our gut health, removing additives and a mountain of ingredients in store-bought foods."

Freshly Baked Goodness, Made with Love

Steph's Easter sourdough creation

Steph focuses on gut-friendly sourdough loaves, bread rolls, artisan focaccias, English muffins, bagels, scrolls and anywhere her creativity takes her!

"Every item is handcrafted using slow fermentation and no nasties - just good, honest ingredients (preferably as local as possible). I sell at local markets, take online pre-orders, and offer porch pick-ups on Saturday mornings from my home."  

Lavender in the Kitchen: How Steph Uses This Floral Favourite

Freshly baked Wine Country Lavender & Salted Honey Glazed Rolls

Just like the therapeutic rhythm of kneading dough, lavender brings calm, creativity, and a little floral flair to the kitchen.

Whether you’re whipping up a loaf of bread or enjoying a lavender-infused treat, this aromatic herb adds a unique touch to every bite.

When we asked Steph how lavender fits into her baking, she shared some of her favourite ways to sprinkle a little purple power into her recipes:

"Recently I have loved experiencing with culinary lavender. Lavender first made its way into my baking during a test batch of sourdough rolls. I paired culinary lavender (Tasty Times) with local honey and sea salt, and I was hooked! The floral note was subtle but gave everything this beautiful, elevated warmth. It just made sense."

Steph's favourite lavender creations so far

🍞 Wine Country Lavender and Salted Honey Glazed Rolls - Steph's signature. A whisper of lavender in the dough, paired with golden honey glaze.

I’ve also been experimenting, and you may just find these at future markets!

🍩 Lavender sugar - perfect for dusting on cinnamon scrolls or topping on muffins and other sweet treats.

🥖 Herb and Lavender Focaccia - Lavender with rosemary and sea salt for a unique twist on traditional focaccia.

Fast Five with Steph

1. Favourite bake to make? Classic Sourdough with a perfect rise and ear edge.

2. Sweet or savoury? Sweet!

3. Top/Favourite ingredient to use: My starter - it’s the heart of everything I bake. She’s my ever time-consuming baby who needs constant care and love.

4. Best bread-baking tip? Don’t rush the process. Sourdough takes time, and that where the flavour comes from.

5. Lavender in one word? Tranquil.

Follow Steph on Instagram for more updates on her exquisite baking, Huntlee and surrounds markets, and check out all her goodies on her website. How do you use lavender in the kitchen? Share your experience or questions in the comments below!

Want to try baking with lavender? Explore our farm-grown, culinary-grade lavender buds (Tasty Times) - perfect for adding a floral twist to your next kitchen creation. Follow Wine Country Lavender on Instagram and Facebook for more delicious stories from our wonderful community!

Do you have a passion for lavender? Would you like to be a featured guest on Locals Loving Lavender? Get in touch!