A baking device, comprising: a housing enclosing a baking compartment and an air handling compartment, the air handling compartment and the baking compartment separated by a pressure panel that defines a rear wall of the baking compartment, the pressure panel including an aperture allowing fluid communication between the baking and air handling compartments (12, 14); a door pivotably mounted to the housing, the door configured to be selectively moveable between a closed position to enclose the baking compartment and an open position to allow access therein; a blower wheel mounted in conjunction with the aperture, such that rotation of the blower wheel urges air movement from the baking compartment and into the air handling compartment; a water system and at least one spout, wherein the at least one spout is disposed upon or with respect to the blower wheel and the at least one spout is configured to spray water onto the blower wheel as it is rotating in order to increase the humidity within the air handling compartment and the baking compartment; a secondary blower arranged in fluid communication with the air handling compartment, wherein the secondary blower is operable when the door is in the closed position to urge ambient air into the air handling compartment, and a flapper disposed in fluid communication with a discharge of the secondary blower into the air handling compartment, such that the flapper prevents backflow of air into the secondary blower from the air handling compartment when in a closed position, but allows the flow of air from the secondary blower into the air handling compartment; wherein the housing further comprises a vent which takes suction from the baking compartment and is arranged to allow fluid communication of air within the baking compartment to the ambient, wherein the vent is open to the ambient, and wherein operation of the secondary blower increases pressure within the baking compartment therefore urging air within the baking compartment into the vent; and a controller configured to operate the heaters, the water system and the secondary blower; CHARACTERISED IN THAT said controller is configured to operate said heaters, the water system and the secondary blower in a proofing mode in which said baking compartment is held at a first temperature at or above ambient temperature as well as a relatively high humidity by operation of the heaters and the water system, followed by a baking mode in which said controller is configured to initiate a flow of the secondary blower in order to urge the air with a relatively high humidity within the baking compartment and to operate the heaters such that said baking compartment is held at a second higher temperature. a housing enclosing a baking compartment and an air handling compartment, the air handling compartment and the baking compartment separated by a pressure panel that defines a rear wall of the baking compartment, the pressure panel including an aperture allowing fluid communication between the baking and air handling compartments (12, 14); a door pivotably mounted to the housing, the door configured to be selectively moveable between a closed position to enclose the baking compartment and an open position to allow access therein; a blower wheel mounted in conjunction with the aperture, such that rotation of the blower wheel urges air movement from the baking compartment and into the air handling compartment; a water system and at least one spout, wherein the at least one spout is disposed upon or with respect to the blower wheel and the at least one spout is configured to spray water onto the blower wheel as it is rotating in order to increase the humidity within the air handling compartment and the baking compartment; a secondary blower arranged in fluid communication with the air handling compartment, wherein the secondary blower is operable when the door is in the closed position to urge ambient air into the air handling compartment, and a flapper disposed in fluid communication with a discharge of the secondary blower into the air handling compartment, such that the flapper prevents backflow of air into the secondary blower from the air handling compartment when in a closed position, but allows the flow of air from the secondary blower into the air handling compartment; wherein the housing further comprises a vent which takes suction from the baking compartment and is arranged to allow fluid communication of air within the baking compartment to the ambient, wherein the vent is open to the ambient, and wherein operation of the secondary blower increases pressure within the baking compartment therefore urging air within the baking compartment into the vent; and a controller configured to operate the heaters, the water system and the secondary blower; CHARACTERISED IN THAT said controller is configured to operate said heaters, the water system and the secondary blower in a proofing mode in which said baking compartment is held at a first temperature at or above ambient temperature as well as a relatively high humidity by operation of the heaters and the water system, followed by a baking mode in which said controller is configured to initiate a flow of the secondary blower in order to urge the air with a relatively high humidity within the baking compartment and to operate the heaters such that said baking compartment is held at a second higher temperature.