Since opening in 2022, Brooki Bakehouse has become a fixture of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. Just as indelible a fixture is the queue of prospective punters lining up down the street for a Brooki’s sweet treat. 

In just two short years Brooke Saward, the founder and owner of Brooki Bakehouse, has grown her business into a certified cultural phenomenon, shipping its signature cookies across Australia and North America, while the Brisbane bakery attracts travellers and tourists and locals alike. 

Before becoming Brisbane’s star baker, Brooke was a globe-trotting travel blogger with thousands of followers for her holidaying resource World of Wanderlust. When she made the change from planes and trains to cakes and cookies, Brooke’s skills proved invaluable in growing her burgeoning bakery. 

With no marketing budget, Brooke utilised organic content marketing “focusing on the positivity behind being a female-owned-and-operated business”.  Today, the company has more than 3.5 million social media followers and the brand’s debut cookbook, Bake With Brooki, reached #1 Best Seller on Amazon within 24 hours of pre-order release.

“This has taught me that perseverance and focusing on your strengths is the most advantageous pathway forward, while always looking outside of the box for ideas to take your idea to the world,” said Brooke. 

Brooke is now in pre-production for a reality baking show as well as focusing on opening her next store location. 

Her tenacity and ingenuity landed Brooke not only a place in Queensland’s 2024 40 Under 40 Awards cohort but the Food Innovation Award, which celebrates excellence in the food and beverage industry.

“It was such a nice feeling to be named as a finalist, but totally surreal to take home an award on the night!” Brooke shared. “It was such an honour to be presented with the award from an iconic Queensland food brand [Betty’s Burgers], who have themselves paved the vision of success for so many businesses in the hospitality sector.”

The Gala Awards night provided a rare opportunity for Brooke to take the evening off and mingle with other entrepreneurs and business owners.

“My table was a lively bunch of over achievers,” she said. “It was such an honour to sit and chat with Sarah Baldwin (owner of the highly celebrated Joy restaurant and winner of the Creative Thinker Award). There are few opportunities for us hospitality folks to go out and enjoy a night out, so it really felt extra special!”

To those considering putting themselves forwards as the next cohort of 40 Under 40 nominees, Brooke had this to say:

“I think it’s a great opportunity to be recognised for your passion and hard work, but even better a great opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow entrepreneurs under 40 and a great way to connect with others.”

To see the full list of this year’s 40 Under 40 winners, head here.