Page 133 - Demo

133Road, but the cramped living conditions, lack of money and lack of English had Gianna wanting to leave after three weeks. A flat upgrade with the help of Mr Smyth later and things started to improve, while trips to the Ritz in Park Lane helped Gianna start speaking English.In 1959 the opportunity for the couple buying their own bakery came about due to a couple who ran an existing business on Villette Road deciding to retire. The business took off, and so did the family%u2019s connections in Sunderland. Gianna told the Echo in 2013 %u201cWhen we got the business we started to know a lot of people. We made friends that are still our friends today, after 62 years.%u201dThe people of Sunderland were fantastic. Kind and friendly. We%u2019ve had customers who%u2019ve been coming since we opened. Sunderland people are like Italian people. They are warm and they love family.%u201d5Well known for their cakes due to Max%u2019s confectionary skills, a signature has been the almond sponge and buttercream frog cake that they%u2019ve sold since they first opened and remains a best seller. Their pink mice cakes (with chocolate buttons for ears) were another unique offering, while pink slices and rum truffles are very popular today too.Now in its 65th year, the business is now run by Max and Gianna%u2019s daughter Sonia and grandson Charlie.5 %u2018Italian born, Sunderland Bread!%u2019 Sunderland Echo, 28th February 2013M%u00fcller Swiss BakersAnother Wearside institution is M%u00fcller Swiss Bakers, which has shops in Villette Road, Blandford Street and Sea Road. The first shop was set up by Max and Gianna Muller in 1959.The newlyweds arrived in Sunderland in 1950, just one month after their wedding. Max, a master baker and confectioner worked in his family%u2019s bakery, and Gianna had moved to Switzerland after being raised in Italy. The prospect of coming to Sunderland came about after a friend of Max had moved to England and told him how good it was, and Max found a job at Smyth%u2019s Bakery on Cleveland Rpad in Barnes.They first lived in a bedsit on Durham Muller%u2019s Frog Cake. Credit: Muller%u2019s