Rise Up! The Baker Podcast with Mark Dyck

Latest Episodes:

Rise Up! #31: Giacomo Salata Oct 24, 2018

Show notes

Giacomo Salata took the traditional Italian path to being a pastry chef, including deciding on his path in life at age 13. But his career so far has been anything but traditional, taking him from his hometown of Padua to England, Saskatchewan and Ottawa, Ontario.

In this episode, Mark learns more about how one becomes a pastry chef in Italy, what it's like to work at a major fusion restaurant in London and how Giacomo and his partner Martina made their way to Canada.

Some links:

Stubbe Chocolates in Ottawa

Pasticceria Paride in Padua, Italy

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #30: Jesse Merrill Oct 17, 2018

Show notes

Depending on how you count, Polestar Hearth has been around for 18 months or 10 years. That's because 18 months ago, Jesse Merrill moved his bakery from his backyard to a gorgeous retail space in Guelph Ontario. This little gem is now a hub for bread lovers from all over town.

In this episode, recorded on site at Polestar Hearth, Mark and Jesse discuss his move from a home business to a retail bakery, how he's built his team and the strong emotional connection between his customers and great bread.

Some links:

Polestar Hearth website

@polestarhearth on Instagram

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #29: Ontario Trip Report / Arlo Brandl Oct 10, 2018

Show notes

Mark and Cindy are back from a massive road trip through Ontario and into the Midwest USA, checking out the amazing trees and lakes and visiting as many bakeries as humanly possible.

In this two-part episode, Mark shares his thoughts on the trip, with an emphasis on the wide variety of community bakeries they saw throughout Ontario. Then, Mark and Arlo Brandl from Tecumseh, Michigan have an in-person chat about Arlo's new bakery and his recent success in becoming the BBGA's seventh Certified Bread Baker.

Some links:

Tecumseh Bread and Pastry

@tecumseh_bread_pastry on Instagram

BBGA's Artisan Baker Certification Program

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #28: Michael Sellers Oct 03, 2018

Show notes

Michael Sellers left a successful business career to open his solo bread bakery in Peekskill New York. And it truly is a solo operation, from baking to packaging and delivery to all over Westchester County.

In this episode, Mark and Michael talk about the ins and outs of running a subscription bread operation, the challenges of working in a shared space and how the need to connect with customers can lead to extremely long work days. Michael also turns the tables and gets Mark talking about his bakery and the decision to close Orange Boot Bakery.

Some links:

Journeyman Bakery website

@journeymanbakery on Instagram

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #27: Don Guerra Sep 26, 2018

Show notes

Don Guerra is not simply an awesome bread baker. He's also a leader in the Community Supported Bakery movement and is at the forefront of the local grain movement in Tucson, Arizona.

In this episode, Mark and Don have a lively discussion about Don's life in baking, including a significant detour right in the middle, and how his local community supported his reboot, first in his garage and then with his retail bakery. They also marvel at the connections bakers make with each other all around the globe. It really is a global (baker) village!

Some links:

Barrio Bread website

@barriobread on Instagram

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #26: Melina Kelson Sep 19, 2018

Show notes

Melina Kelson is a baker, teacher and wood fired oven officianado. She is also long serving board member of the Bread Baker's Guild of America.

In this episode, Mark and Melina discuss her path to becoming a renowned baking instructor, what the Guild board does on a non-WheatStalk year, her bootleg baking project and her new role as Operations Manager at Princi Kitchens in Chicago.

Some links:

Bootleg Batard

Princi Kitchen

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up #25: Martin Philip Sep 12, 2018

Show notes

Martin Philip spent time as a musician and a financier before turning his attention to baking and many, many people are glad that he did. Martin is the Head Baker at King Arthur Flour in Vermont and author of the amazing memoir and bread book Breaking Bread: A Baker's Journey Home in 75 Recipes.

In this episode, Mark and Martin talk about Martin's journey in baking, how he convinced Jeffrey Hamelman to take him on at King Arthur and what it was like to write his book. But mainly they geek out over the wonderous magic of bread baking.

It's like a leisurely afternoon on the porch pondering the meaning of life through gluten, but in podcast form.

Some links:

Breaking Bread: A Baker's Journey Home in 75 Recipes (Amazon)

Martin Philip's Website: Breadwright.com

@breadwright on Instagram

@kingarthurflour on Instagram

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up #24: Randy George Sep 05, 2018

Show notes

Randy George is a very generous baker and teacher and not just in and around the bakery he founded in Middlesex, Vermont, Red Hen Baking Company. He's also mentored a great many bakers and bakery owners as an active member of the Bread Baker's Guild e-group.

In this episode, Mark and Randy talk about his start in baking, how Red Hen was founded, what it's like running a wholesale bakery and how Randy puts his employees front and centre in his operation.

Some links:

Red Hen Baking Company Website

@redhenbaking on Instagram

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up #23a: The New, Improved Solveig Tofte Episode Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

(This version gets Solveig's and Mark's voices back in sync. So sorry for the mix up!)

Solveig Tofte is a fun loving, exceptionally friendly baker with an international reputation. Not only does she own and operate the amazing Sun Street Breads in Minneapolis, Minnesota but she also travels the world teaching baking and connecting with other bakers.

In this episode, Mark and Solveig talk about her experience with Team USA at the Coupe de Monde, starting Sun Street Breads and forming the best named group ever - the Intergalactic Bakers Federation.

Some links:

Sun Street Breads Website

@sunstreetbreads on Instagram

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up #23: Solveig Tofte (fixed!) Aug 29, 2018

Show notes

Some links: