Friday Five
With months of endless quarantining, massive wildfires, and a polarizing upcoming presidential election, it’s no wonder we’re all stress cases. Thankfully there’s always one thing that can get us through: carbs. There’s nothing a fresh creamy cheesecake or a flakey buttery croissant can’t solve… at least temporarily.
With all this stress eating, it’s no wonder why pop-up bakeries have become incredibly popular as of late — that, and laid off chefs and restaurant workers are finding new ways to gain customers. The temporary nature of a pop-up location benefits both the business owner by helping to save money on rent and operational costs, while also giving foodies a limited (and therefore highly exclusive and coveted) taste of something different and inventive. Of course, a pop-up business needs to offer something exceptional in order to draw interest, and these five pop-up bakeries are doing just that.
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1. Tarts de Feybesse
Husband and wife team Paul and Monique Feybesse are classically trained chefs who worked together at Michelin-starred Geranium in Copenhagen and Ledoyen in Paris. They started their side business, Tarts de Feybesse, back in 2016, but hit pause on it after starting a family. Now Tarts de Feybesse is back, thanks to the photogenic nature of their pastries and avid foodie following. Everything from their shiny, cream-filled eclairs to their stunningly decorated stone fruit tarts are a combination of exquisite style and delicious substance. You can order from them directly by messaging Monique’s Instagram account (@monicafeybesse) or emailing her at moniquefeybesse@gmail.com. They deliver only to Napa or San Francisco and have occasional pop-up locations throughout the Bay Area.
www.instagram.com/monicafeybesse
2. Kaya Bakery
Stephanie Chen started her delivery-only bakery business back in February, right before everyone started sheltering in place. By mid-March she had pivoted to a pop-up business model, partnering with boba tea shops and cafés around the Bay Area like Uji Time and Red Giant. Despite the pandemic, business has been booming for this auditor by day and self-taught baker by night. She believes it’s the melding of traditional French croissants filled with sweet Asian flavors like pandan, lychee, matcha, and Vietnamese coffee that have helped Kaya gain popularity. Customers need to order their changing Weekend Set Box of pastries several days in advance before they sell out, then pick up at a designated location in the Bay Area (mostly in the Peninsula or South Bay) on the weekend.
3. Little Sky Bakery
In 2017, former lawyer and self-trained baker Tian Mayimin started Little Sky after working with a 100-year-old sourdough starter. Finding small-batch, naturally leavened bread isn’t easy, so she quickly gained a cult following. Mayimin has since been selling her breads, scones, challah buns, and layer cakes at local farmers markets and delivering to customers up and down the peninsula. It’s recommended you order ahead on their website.
4. Bake Sum
Friends Elaine Lau and Joyce Tang launched Bake Sum with a combination of three elements: classic pastries, sweet and savory Asian flavors, and plenty of fun. The two professionally trained chefs launched their business in the middle of the current pandemic and are gaining attention with their online preorder-only limited menu of specialties. Their changing menu can include items like their “Croissubi” which combines a Spam Musubi with a flakey buttery croissant, cream-filled milk bread buns, and fluffy Japanese-style cheesecakes. They sell out frequently, so place your order early via their website for pickup on Friday or Saturday at their San Francisco location.
4100 Third Street, San Francisco
www.bakesum.com
5. Basuku Cheesecakes
Who knew Japanese-style Basque cheesecakes were a thing? Restaurant consultant Charles Chen’s hobby of making these burnt caramel crusted cheesecakes has become a legitimate Bay Area culinary phenomenon during these pandemic-times. Limited quantities of these smooth and creamy cheesecakes have made them a hot commodity, often selling out online in mere minutes. They’re sometimes available at Magnolia Mini Mart in Oakland and a few other restaurants, but it’s best to follow the Basuku Instagram account to find out how to get your hands on one of these babies.
www.instagram.com/basukucheesecakes
