Kitchen Confidential

A Morning Making Bread at Focaccia Sandwich + Bakery Brought Me Back to My Restaurant Roots

It had been years since I worked an early shift in a restaurant kitchen, but when the owners of the new Focaccia Sandwich + Bakery offered me a morning of baking, I couldn't resist.

02/02/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Carb Loading

Where to Find Exceptional Breads, Pastries and Sweets Locally

Whether you’re in the mood for warm, pillowy bread, flaky pastries or creamy, chilled desserts, the Sarasota area is home to serious bakers who aim to please.

11/29/2023 By Lauren Jackson

The Secret Life of Pie

What It's Really Like to Make Pies with the Yoder's Bakers

Amateur baker and digital editor Megan McDonald tests her skills in the Yoder's kitchen.

11/20/2023 By Megan McDonald

Bread and Butter

Bread Bandits Is Serving Seriously Good Sourdough at Its New Sarasota Bakery

Business partners Jules Thuet and Brad Rutledge know a thing or two about bread.

09/08/2023 By Lauren Jackson

Ooey Gooey and Chewy

Clarabell Cookies Is Changing the Local Cookie Game

The new Gulf Gate bakery is serving up decadent chocolate chip cookies.

08/09/2022 By Lauren Jackson

Bagel Boss

Looking for Authentic Jersey-Style Bagels? Try This New UTC Shop

Order water-boiled New Jersey bagels from Jersey native Kim Fishman, who makes 2,000 fresh bagels daily at her Jersey Girl Bagels.

03/28/2022 By Allison Forsyth

Sweet Success

Follow a Bradenton Baker and TikTok Star on Her Fitness Journey

Tara Allison is the owner of Sweets Bakehouse and runs a TikTok account called 'Fat Girl Fit' that has more than 126,000 followers.

02/04/2022 By Allison Forsyth

The waffle truth

New Waffle Café to Open on St. Armands Circle

Crisp Waffle Company is set to open by the end of the month.

08/06/2021 By Emma Moneuse

New Business

Sarasota Woman Launches 'Direct to Door' Bakery

Geri Silber, a longtime home baker, says she started the company because she sent cookies and treats to family and friends and wanted to help others do the same.

04/05/2021 By Staff

Carb loading

L'Ôpera Is Your South Sarasota Destination for Great French Pastries and Bread

Live near Gulf Gate? You might want to make a stop-in at L'Ôpera Bakery Bistrôt part of your regular morning routine.

02/19/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sweet relief

Baking These Cookies Is Guaranteed to Make Your Election Day Sweeter

Take out your feelings on these cookies, which require you to slam down your baking sheet to achieve a magical ripple effect.

11/03/2020 By Megan McDonald

Moments of Joy

Moment of Joy: Baking Through the Pandemic

A 25-pound bag of flour is a sweet distraction for this novice baker.

07/20/2020 By Ilene Denton

Expanded menu

More Food and Drink Options Coming to Lakewood Ranch

The developers behind Waterside Place recently announced that the project will be home to Duck Donuts, Atria Bread + Coffee and CROP Juice.

06/23/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sweet talk

Five Perfect Pastries

Chef Judi is craving something sweet to go with her espresso. Here are five of her favorite flaky, buttery, sugary delights.

02/19/2020 By Judi Gallagher

Weekly Planner

A Seafood Festival, a Food Truck Rally and More of This Week's Best Food and Drink Events

Also on the menu: a walking food and history tour and a mermaid festival.

12/04/2019 By Sarafina Murphy-Gibson

cake walk

This Rosemary District Bakery Lets You Make Your Cake and Eat It, Too

Discover your inner cake boss at Make It Swirl.

11/20/2019 By Olivia Epstein

Nice slice, baby

California Pizza Kitchen Offers New Take and Bake Option

The fresh new pizzas are designed for you to heat up and enjoy at home.

08/13/2019 By Olivia Letts

WEEKLY PLANNER

Afternoon Tea, Berry Festivals and other Local Dining Events

Including Brunch for the Bay, a workshop on baking breads and a social hosted by the Home Brewers Association of Manatee Sarasota.

02/27/2019 Photography by Giulia Heyward

Sweet Farewell

Two Beloved Bakeries Are Shuttering

Gulf Gate's Jim Small Batch and Bradenton's Retrobaked are closing their doors—temporarily, the owners say.

04/25/2018 By Megan McDonald

Retail

Design Seminar Scheduled for April 5

Richard Tharp, a sales representative and brand ambassador for the furniture manufacturer Baker, is leading a design seminar at the Sarasota location of Robb & Stucky.

03/15/2018 By Staff