Lazy Day Foods
Member Spotlight
You only need to watch a few minutes of the Great British Bake Off to learn that crafting the perfect sponge, brownie or biscuit lies in a delicate balance between science and art – something Sally Beattie and Emer Bustard, co-founders of Lazy Day Foods, know only too well.
Both professional food scientists with personal experience of food intolerances and allergies, Sally and Emer launched their award-winning, free-from bakery in 2006 with a simple yet powerful mission; to ensure no one misses out on the joys of everyday life.
“Emer is coeliac, and Sally has multiple food intolerances and allergies, so they understood first-hand how restrictive and stressful food allergies can be, especially when it comes to treats and celebrations,” explained Lorna Love, Lazy Day Foods’ Sales & Marketing Director. “The spark for the business came from wanting to create indulgent, great-tasting cakes and bakes that everyone could enjoy safely, without feeling like they were missing out.”
Over the past two decades, Sally and Emer have grown the business from a home kitchen venture to a market-leading brand, offering gluten-free, milk-free and egg-free vegan/plant based goodies to customers looking to indulge with confidence. The range includes everything from celebration cakes and tiffin to rocky road, millionaire’s shortbread and much more, ensuring everyone, regardless of dietary restriction, is able to have their cake and eat it.
From a dedicated free-from BRC AA+ accredited bakery, based in Harthill, the brand supplies major retailers across the UK, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Waitrose, as well as wholesalers. The “hand-baked with love” treats are also available from the brand’s own direct-to-consumer website, while the export market is becoming a larger focus alongside the travel sector.
Lorna continued: “Sally and Emer’s background in food science has been fundamental in shaping how we work as a business. It underpins our approach to recipe development, with a deep understanding of ingredients, structure and food safety, which is particularly important in free-from baking, where you’re working without gluten, dairy or egg. It gives us the confidence to innovate while maintaining strict allergen controls.
“Today, that is carried forward by our talented development team, led by Sharon McCardie, who work to ensure every product delivers exceptional taste, texture and consistency.”
Some of Lazy Day’s most popular products are the Salted Caramel Crispies and Millionaire’s Shortbread, and no matter the recipe, Lorna believes it is the brand’s commitment to quality ingredients that helps ensure they stand out from the crowd.
“We’re very selective about our suppliers and focus on ingredients that deliver on flavour and texture, while meeting our strict allergen requirements,” she said. “And being based in Scotland, we’re proud to manufacture here and work with trusted suppliers who share our commitment to food safety and quality.
“We have grown with many of our suppliers – some of which we have partnered with for 20 years – and seek to buy local wherever we can. For instance, our gluten-free oats, jam, and vegan butter are all sourced locally in Scotland.”
Teamwork is another fundamental value at Lazy Day HQ, and in 2024, the business was named Employer of the Year at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards, while Warehouse Team Leader Amy Gillies went on to win Young Talent of the Year in 2025 – you can read more about her journey here.
Lazy Day Foods has been a member of Scotland Food & Drink since 2008, and being part of the community has helped open doors for the brand, while also providing opportunities to build strong connections across the industry.
Lorna said: “Being in membership with Scotland Food & Drink has opened up valuable opportunities and given us access to insights, networking and support that we wouldn’t otherwise have. The Knowledge Bank team have been particularly useful across multiple departments, too, providing data that supports informed decision-making and helps guide our strategy.
“We’ve also taken part in several Meet the Buyer events, which have been a great way to build relationships and open up new commercial opportunities.”
Looking forward, Sally and Emer’s focus for the business will be to strengthen the Lazy Day branded range, supporting products through targeted marketing investment, while continuing to build distribution with key retailers. What’s more, 2026 will see a few exciting product launches, which will be new additions to the free-from market.
Lorna said: “When it comes to deciding on new products to develop, we look closely at gaps in the market, emerging trends coming through mainstream, and retailer feedback. We also focus on what people want to eat but struggle to find in a safe, free-from format.
“Seeing Lazy Day products on shelves in national retailers is always special, but some of the most meaningful moments come from customer feedback. Hearing from people who can finally enjoy a birthday cake or treat safely is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.”
