Award-winning baker to open new café in Kildare later this year

Graham Herterich, the much-loved Irish baker, author, and the entrepreneur behind ‘The Bakery by The Cupcake Bloke’ in Rialto, Dublin 8, is set to open a brand-new dining space at the Shackleton Experience, which will be launching in his native Athy, Co. Kildare in October of this year.

After the success of Herterich’s retail pop-up in Athy two years ago, ‘Ernie’s @ Shackleton Experience’ – a name inspired by Ernest Shackleton and Graham’s grandfather, Ernest – will serve up tasty dine-in, take-away and retail options for locals and visitors alike. Graham is also the talent behind mixing old-school Irish recipes with fresh, modern flavours. He will run the outlet in addition to his existing business in Dublin.

Graham Herterich said, “It’s an honour to bring my baking skills to such a monumental and iconic landmark building in Athy at the Shackleton Experience. I’m delighted to be a part of the launch and offer visitors and locals alike fresh treats that blend traditional Irish flavours with a modern twist. I grew up in Athy so I have a special place in my heart for the town and to be able to return and contribute to it is a real honour.”

Herterich was born in Athy and raised above his family’s butcher shop on Duke Street, and his love for food started young. He followed his passion to Waterford Institute of Technology, where he trained as a chef. From there, he worked as a product developer and production manager for a coffee chain, securing practical hands-on experience in large-scale kitchen operations and creating recipes – both sweet and savoury. But it was the joy of baking, passed down from his grandmother, that pulled him back to his roots and eventually inspired him to open his own bakery.

In 2012, following a redundancy, he teamed up with his partner, Daithí Kelleher, to launch ‘The Cupcake Bloke’ before opening ‘The Bakery by The Cupcake Bloke’ in 2018 on South Circular Road in Rialto, Dublin 8.

The bakery quickly became a local favourite, offering a wide range of homemade cakes, breads, cookies, cupcakes and seasonal pastries, supporting Irish artisans by stocking local cheeses, charcuterie, preserves, honey, oils, and drinks.

He has also written two cookbooks, with his latest – ‘Cook: Traditional Irish Cooking with Modern Twists’ – putting a fresh spin on Irish favourites like the classic 'mammy salad' and the iconic chicken fillet roll. His first book, ‘Bake’, dives into traditional Irish baking, blending old-school recipes with modern flavours and ingredients.

Herterich is now very proud to be unveiling ‘Ernie’s @ Shackleton Experience’ in his hometown of Athy – the dining and retail space that will be located at the entrance to the Shackleton Experience, opening in October 2025 – and he will provide visitors and locals with a range of traditional Irish food intertwined with modern flavours from locally sourced produce and ingredients.  

Over the years, Herterich’s work has earned him plenty of recognition, including awards from Blas na hÉireann and Chef Ireland. His journey is all about authenticity, creativity, and community – values he will take to the dining space ‘Ernie’s @ Shackleton Experience’.

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