VANDERBIJLPARK. – Having worked as a baker for decades, including 30 years at the same shop, he can bake bread, focaccias, and other goodies in his sleep.

Daniël Keta (56) loves baking, but bread is his specialty. He has gained the reputation of making the best home-style white bread – a well-known favourite of the community.

He doesn’t talk much, but one bite of his freshly baked bread and you are hooked.

Daniël started working at the corner shop on Helena Lochner Street when he was 16 years old.

At one stage he left this family-run business for a while to train as a baker. In 1993 he came back and since then has ensured that the smell of freshly baked bread always hangs in the air.

Shop owners Nick and Sandra Photiou say they cannot imagine their shop without Daniël.

“He is always here. In 30 years, I can count the days he took sick leave on the one hand. I had to convince him that he needed not to run back to the shop when he goes to the clinic to get his medicine,” Sandra said.

The Photiou’s kids grew up in the shop and Daniël enjoyed it immensely when their son used to “help” him in the kitchen.

He is always busy in the kitchen, enjoys his work, and is proud of every loaf of bread that comes out of the oven.

“We have customers that moved out of this area years ago, but they still come and buy bread from us,” Sandra smiles.

The little shop on the corner has had many names over the years. Recently it became a Food Zone.

“It doesn’t really matter; we have always stayed the same family-oriented business.

“We know our customers, and they know us. We just thought it was high time to give our gentle giant in the kitchen recognition.”