Balfours facts for kids

Balfours is an Australian bakery which produces pies, pasties and cakes for sale in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.

History

Balfours began when Scottish immigrant James Calder and Margaret née Balfour opened a bakery at 130 Rundle Street, Adelaide, South Australia in 1853. As Calder's bakery became very successful, he opened the "City Steam Biscuit Factory" in Twin Street, Adelaide in 1872. Balfours became a household name and in 1867, when Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited South Australia, James Calder was made the official biscuit baker for the royal visit.

Around this time, Calder took on his nephew John Balfour and began trading as 'Calder & Balfour'.

Margaret Balfour died on 1 November 1887 and James Calder died two years later on 1 October 1889, aged 71.

In the 1890s a new factory was built off Carrington Street.

From 1914 Balfours expanded their business to cake shops, cafes and tearooms. They acquired Jackman's Grand Cafe in the T&G Building in King William Street, Balfour's Cafe was an Adelaide institution on this site for half a century.

In recognition of the significant contribution of then Chairman, Charles Wauchope, the company was re-registered under the name ‘Balfour Wauchope Pty Ltd’.

In 2001, the State Government provided funds to relocate the main production facility from Morphett Street, Adelaide to Dudley Park under a buy and lease back agreement. The company continued to struggle financially and faced imminent closure.

Balfours has been owned by the San Remo Macaroni Company since 2008.

As of 2018 Balfours have a second factory at Milperra, New South Wales.