Meet Olga

At BalaBread, every loaf tells a story — the story of Olga Balaeva, a passionate baker with deep roots in Eastern Europe and a kitchen full of inspiration.

Olga’s baking journey began in Russia, where honest, hearty, flavour-rich breads are part of everyday life. Those traditions still shape her work today. Although she bakes a wide range of breads and patisserie, she is especially known for her authentic Russian-style breads: rustic, aromatic, nourishing creations that combine old techniques with modern craftsmanship.

Food has always been Olga’s language. An autodidact for most of her life, she spent countless hours experimenting, perfecting, and cooking for family and friends. Recently she completed the Masterclass Patisserie at the Bakery Institute, officially making her a pattisièr — but her true expertise was forged long before, at home, loaf by loaf.

What began as sharing small samples with friends and parents from the international school quickly grew into something unexpected: every single person who tried her bread came back. BalaBread has since become a beloved local secret, expanding through the simplest and most genuine recommendation — word of mouth.

Olga combines her craft with raising two young children, which means BalaBread stays true to its essence: local, personal, small-scale, and made with care. She uses only high-quality, honest ingredients, as close to their natural source as possible. No shortcuts. No unnecessary processing. Just real food.

Customers usually collect their orders at Hoefstraat 53, Leiden, but Olga also delivers within 5 km on her Urban Arrow electric bike — a familiar sight in the neighbourhood. Payments are simple, modern, and Dutch: customers receive a Tikkie link via SMS and pay directly through their bank.

Whether it’s bread, patisserie, or one of her many other culinary creations, Olga brings the same dedication to everything she makes. She is a true alleskunner in the kitchen — but her heart will always belong to bread.