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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(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

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

Annie Moss is co-owner of Seastar Bakery in Portland, Oregon and she isn't afraid of working with others to make the place of her dreams.  She partnered up with three friends to build not just a bakery, but a cafe and pizza joint, all sharing the same space and same oven.  The result is a unique neighbourhood place beloved by her regulars. In this episode, Mark and Annie talk about Annie's start in baking, how her time at New York's Greenmarket formed some of her ideas about local food and community connection, and the neverending variety of Advanced Toast. Some links: Seastar Bakery Website @seastarbakery 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

Amy Halloran is a writer, teacher and activist who is digging deep into how local food economies can revitalize communities.  And she's working hard to improve the situation in her home town of Troy, New York. Amy is the author of The New Bread Basket, which described the re-emergence of the local grain movement throughout the US - a movement which has continued to grow and build momentum. In this episode, Mark and Amy talk about how she got into writing and into bread, and the intricate web of connections that make up the international network of local grain communities. Some links: Amy Halloran's Website The New Bread Basket by Amy Halloran (Amazon) 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

So what style of baking do you do?  What does that even mean?  In this episode, Mark tries to unpack the answer to the question "What style of bread do you bake", the joys of baking during a heat wave and shares feedback on the Volker Baumann episode - from Volker.  Plus, it's listener email time!   Some links: 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   

Volker Baumann has helped hundreds and hundreds of bakers during his long career as a baker, bakery owner and renowned baking instructor.   In this episode, Mark and Volker renew their friendship as Mark learns the bigger story of Volker's life in baking, from apprenticing in Germany to owning a bakery in Calgary, Alberta to his 25 year career as a Baking and Pastry instructor at SAIT.  Retirement hasn't slowed Volker down one bit!   Some links: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Baking and Pastry Arts Program Volker's Book: Baking, the Art and Science (out of print) 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

Jim Williams and his wife Lynn own Seven Stars Bakery in Providence, Rhode Island and over the past 17 years have grown to three locations and an extremely cool side project too. In this episode, Mark and Jim talk about how he started as a baker in California, moved to Rhode Island to help Lynn start Seven Stars and the fun and challenges of expanding over the years.  They also talk about Jim's renewed interest in single varietal, fresh milled flour and how that spawned Backdoor Bread.   There's also some awesome free plugs for the Grain Gathering and ProsperCity.org   Some links: Seven Stars Bakery @sevenstarsbakery on Instagram @backdoorbread 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

Dan Rivera and his wife Kim travelled far and wide to get their baking education, before moving back to the US and settling in upstate New York.  As they slowly rebuild their 80 acre farm, their bakery The Breadery is popping up at markets from Westboro to Lake Placid. In this episode, Dan shares his travel tales, talks about meeting 'his people' at the Maine Kneading Conference, building his brick oven and baking for six markets each week.   Some links: Triple Green Jade Farm Website @triplegreenjadefarm 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

Peiwen Lee is the head baker at Hot Bread Kitchen in New York City.  It's a bakery with a social mission in addition to the amazing bread and pastries they make every day.  They are proof that bakeries provide benefits to society well beyond a loaf of bread. In this episode, Mark learns about Peiwen's baking journey from Singapore to New York and the important, empowering role Hot Bread Kitchen is filling for immigrant women in New York.   Some links: Hot Bread Kitchen Website @hotbreadkitchen 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

In the middle of a road trip to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Mark springs the microphone on his wife and baking partner Cindy.  While admiring the green crops and dodging white tailed deer, Cindy shares her favourite stories about owning Orange Boot Bakery. Listen in to hear how it's always possible to pack a little more into the day's production, the joy of working with a team of energetic bakers, and what it means to truly connect with your customers.   Some links: The Great Oven Move Video Video: Laying out the bakery 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

Rhonda knew she wanted a life of feeding others from her time volunteering with Americorps.  But she never imagined how in a few years she'd go from bakery owner to a linchpin of her local grain economy. In this episode, Mark and Rhonda talk about how Beck's Bakery got its start, how the first thing she did as a baker was find a farmer and how she's figuring out how to transition her business to include more employee ownership.   Some links: Beck's Bakery Website @becksbakery on Instagram The Land Institute (Kernza grain) 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

Troy DeRego knew that opening a retail bakery in a small Mississippi college town would be a challenge.  But his quest to provide nourishment for his community was worth struggling for. In this episode, Mark and Troy talk about how Troy looked at the unique challenges of a small town artisan bread bakery and, one by one, found a solution that just might work.  And guaranteed, it's a solution that tastes amazing. Some links: DeRego's Website @deregos.crackers 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

In addition to being an organic farmer, Tristan Noyes is the executive director of the Maine Grain Alliance.  That's the people behind the renowned Kneading Conference, the Artisan Bread Fair and other important programs. In this episode, Mark and Tristan talk about the resurgence of grain farming in Maine and New England and how it requires effort and cooperation through the entire food cycle.  They also discuss millers, bakers, brewers, locavores and what local food independence is all about.  There's a lot more to it than an healthy sourdough culture! Some links: Maine Grain Alliance / Kneading Conference Website @mainegrainalliance 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

Jennifer Vialette has been on the road for a long time.  For the past 17 months, she's been doing stages at bakeries big and small, from sea to sea, in Canada and the USA. In this episode, Mark and Jennifer talk about how she started on this adventure, some of the ultra-cool bakeries where she's spent time at the bench and how she can afford to spend nearly two years working for free without panhandling or committing petty theft.  All in the name of learning and being part of the baking community. Some links: @thenomadbaker 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

After 18 months of working around the clock, Arlo Brandl decided to remake Tecumseh Bread and Pastry into a one man shop.  Right in his back yard.  And so far, it seems to be working. In this episode, Mark and Arlo talk about the decision to settle in the small town of Tecumseh, Michigan and the even bigger decision to close his retail bakery and get smaller.  And how the changes are bringing Arlo even closer to his customers. Don't forget to subscribe to the show! Some links: Tecumseh Bread and Pastry @tecumseh_bread_pastry 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

Everyone makes mistakes.  Hopefully, after the initial fury or embarrassment subsides, we can laugh at our biggest mistakes and learn from them. That's the hope anyway. In this episode, Mark deals with the sadness over messing up the recording of his favourite Baker Chat to date.  To avoid dwelling on this technology mistake, Mark shares his biggest ever baking mistakes.  From exploding dough to exploding mothers of the bride, he puts the adage "misery loves company" to the test. Don't forget to subscribe to the show! Some links: 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

When Andy Wysocki settled down in Palm Springs, California, he was a freelance computer programmer.  Then he started taking fresh bagels to his morning coffee buddies and everything changed.  Now Andy and his partner Bill own Townie Bagels, a cute little bagel shop and cafe that locals love and tourists love to discover. In this episode, Mark and Andy talk about what it's like to open a bagel shop in the middle of the desert, the generosity of Guild Bakers, how the "townies" keep him going in the off season and what it's like to bake when it's 118F outside.       Don't forget to subscribe to the show! Some links: Townie Bagels Website @towniebagels 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

Carolyn Doyle was looking for something to do when she wasn't rafting. She started making bagels and the rest is history.  Carolyn owns Big Bang Bagels, a cozy, warm and extremely tasty bagel shop in Fernie, British Columbia. It's the perfect place to hang out and wile away the day, except that it lies in the shadows of one of the best ski hills in the Rocky Mountains. Mark and Carolyn discuss her journey, finding time to raise a family along with the business, and some of the unique aspects of running a bagel shop in a growing tourist destination.  Don't forget to subscribe to the show! Some links: Big Bang Bagel Website @bigbangbagels 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

  Daisy Chow is a real pro.  After 12 years as a baker at the renowned Clear Flour Bread in Boston, she is slowly but surely developing her own thing, Breadboard Bakery.  Even if that means bringing Texas kolaches to New England.   Don't forget to subscribe to the show! Some links: Breadboard Bakery Website @breadboard_bakery 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

As if baking bread for a living wasn't hard enough, Nate Houge decided to deliver his bread on a bicycle.  In St. Paul Minnesota.  Year Round. Mark and Nate talk about their time together at WheatStalk 2018, building and maintaining a tiny bakery and putting down deep roots in a neighbourhood.  And delivering on a bike, of course!   Don't forget to subscribe to the show! Some links: Brake Bread in St. Paul @brakebread 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  

Josie Rudderham is co-owner of Cake & Loaf bakery in Hamilton, Ontario.  In this episode of Rise Up!, Mark and Josie discuss the craziness of holiday baking, how Josie and her partner Nicky got started baking in her home kitchen and how Cake and Loaf has grown to where their entire staff is paid a living wage.   Links: Cake & Loaf Bakery:  http://cakeandloaf.ca The Rise Up Podcast: http://riseuppod.com   Show music by Robyn Dyck The Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin