June 23, 2008

It has now been four months and what started out as mostly a vanity project to amuse a aging reprobate is on the verge of becoming a viable business. It has been gratifying to observe the slow but growing buzz about our little enterprise. What started out with a compliment here and a word of encouragement there has become a kind of hip little secret.

More and more people are showing up at the oven while I am baking saying how they had just heard about us that day, or how they were served our bread at a party and were shocked but delighted to hear of our little endeavor. When they find us there is not only a smile on their faces but a look of relief that we actually exist and their friends weren’t pulling their legs. It’s not as though we have a store front or even follow a regular schedule to make it easy to find us. I’m glad that we decided not to go with the camouflage paint job on the oven.(a rare moment of planning ahead on my part).

I believe we are on the cusp of getting much more exposure in the next few weeks as I add a new venue along side of the highway near Kamuela liquors. There are also farmer’s markets starting up in Kawaihae and another in Waimea but on the dry side.

It is looking like my dreams of baking all around the Big Island will be postponed a while though. I think for now I will have to stay within the (Bermuda) triangle of Waimea, Waikoloa and Kawaihae. Gas is just too expensive right now to go much further afield. Timing is everything, and just as we began firing early this year, the volcano decided to show everyone just how to smoke it up right, gas prices continued to spiral upward out of control, and the cost of flour is ridiculous. Along with that there have been earthquakes storms floods and general world strife all of which I have interpreted as a good omen for me. On the plus side, burning wood has been a great cost saver as I am still using gimmee wood (that’s wood people give me from trimming their yards, not what you were thinking. Shame on you.) and I am not even halfway through what I started out with.

So how is the baker guy holding up? You may ask yourself…I’ll wait…He is optimistic, eager, feeling fulfilled, worried, exhausted and generally having the time of his life.

With all this new exposure the next phase is merchandising (yes we have phases) In my copious free time I will silk screen tee shirts, make up brochures, and purchase logo tote bags and possibly embroidered baker’s hats if we can find a good price. There have been some good ideas, like logo tee shirts and hats, and some not so good ideas like the logo Jockey and boxer shorts. (No you will have to picture them yourselves). The logo sports bra is something I am still trying to get a feel for.

I would like to thank the original charter members of the Bread Head Club for their early support, their good sportsmanship for being guinea pigs for my breads, and to remind them their memberships are now up for renewal at the end of this month. Though I would love your continued support I completely understand if you need to take a break from us for a while. You will be welcomed back with open arms when you return. And you will return, oh yes, you will return.

Finally, though I know I often make it sound like this is a one man show, I would not be as successful as I am at this without the help of the love of my life, Kay. She has been there right along side of me mixing and throwing dough with me (never at me) on those long bake days. We work together very well considering she is one of those pastry types that think just because they know so much about cakes and cookies and all that sweet stuff, baking bread should be easy to pick up.

She’s learning…

Kevin Cabrera
Itinerant Baker
Big Island,
Hawaii