Shahin’s vision bakes success in Chattogram’s live bakery scene

On the busy Chattogram-Rangamati road, a tiny 150-square-foot bakery grabs everyone's attention. Inside, three skilled workers are hard at work—mixing ingredients, baking them to perfection, and turning out fresh biscuits, bread, and cakes. And as soon as these delicious treats are ready, eager customers can't wait to take them home.

This is Ideal Live Bakery, located in Khan Market, Baluchara—a true game-changer in Chattogram's bakery scene. Thanks to the vision and dedication of young entrepreneur Shahadat Hossain Shahin, this unique live bakery has quickly become a favourite spot for locals and travellers alike.

The journey of Chattogram's first live bakery

The bakery began its journey on July 16, just in time for Eid-ul-Azha, making an impressive start with first-day sales of Tk12,500. Today, it processes over 200 kilograms of flour daily, bringing in sales of Tk40,000 to Tk50,000.

With six employees working in two shifts, the bakery operates 24/7, offering more than 40 items, including biscuits, bread, and cakes. Prices range from as low as Tk5 to Tk200 per kilogram, making its products accessible to a wide range of customers.

Shahin, originally from Bikrampur, spent his childhood in Chattogram due to his father's job. With 18 years of experience in the food industry, including 11.5 years as General Manager at Dhaka's Ideal Homemade Food Products, he used his expertise to launch Chattogram's first live bakery.

Investing Tk12 lakh, Shahin turned his vision into reality, naming Ideal Live Bakery after the Dhaka-based company where he built his career.

The bakery uses international-grade ingredients and avoids any adulterants. Moreover, by eliminating costs for showrooms or extensive marketing, Shahin manages to sell his products 20% cheaper than other branded bakeries.

What makes a live bakery special?

Unlike traditional bakeries, which can take one to two days to deliver products to customers, a live bakery offers freshly made items straight from the oven. Customers can witness the entire process—from preparing dough to baking—which not only ensures quality but also builds trust.

"Many discouraged me, saying that the bakery market was oversaturated. But I believed that even a small-scale bakery, with an investment of Tk10–12 lakh, could succeed. My goal was to produce fresh, unadulterated food, and the live concept has been key to that," Shahin shared.

The bakery uses international-grade ingredients and avoids any adulterants. Moreover, by eliminating costs for showrooms or extensive marketing, Shahin manages to sell his products 20% cheaper than other branded bakeries. He also provides discounted bread for auto-rickshaw and rickshaw drivers.

Plans for expansion

After the success of his Baluchara outlet, Shahin is preparing to invest Tk30 lakh to open two more live bakeries in Chattogram. The second unit will launch in Kadamtali this January, followed by another in the Oxygen area after Eid-ul-Fitr. 

Shahin also dreams of establishing a large-scale bakery factory and restaurant in the future.

The success of Ideal Live Bakery has inspired at least 20 young entrepreneurs in Chattogram to explore the live bakery concept. Shahin has been approached for advice, and some have already started their ventures. For instance, a live bakery recently opened in Bahaddarhat, and another is set to launch in Bardarighir Par this December.

"I'm committed to helping new entrepreneurs," Shahin said. "From setting up machinery to training staff and sharing business strategies, I want to support those who aim to grow Chattogram's live bakery scene."

Winning over customers

The transparency and freshness of Shahin's live bakery have won the trust of customers like Monowar Hossain. "The clean environment and the ability to watch the production process give me confidence. Plus, I can buy hot, freshly baked items directly from the oven," he said.

With Shahin's leadership and dedication, live bakeries are becoming a growing trend in Chattogram. As he continues to expand and inspire others, Shahin is reshaping the local bakery industry one fresh loaf at a time.