Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Miami's Rich Bakery Scene

 Miami  and its' surrounding area is known for many things,  Warm, balmy days. Azure waters. It also has a rich array of bakeries that only add to the city culinary charm.

 Food writers Brett Anderson and Christina Morales two regular contributors to the New York Times Food section wrote about this region's varied and multiethnic baking scene. They had the fun assignment of trying out different ones along with photographing the bakeries best of the best.This is a must have if you live in the city or are traveling there. Many are influenced by the large Cuban population there. some are traditional ones.One must see is Coral Gables Bachour,  run by pastry chef Antonio Bachour. he and his executive pastry chef Samira Saade combine french pastries with tropical fruits evoking his youth in Puerto Rico The Miami suburb of Doral has Caracas bakery where both empenadas and croissants along with the decadent koign-amann and french influenced batards. Those looking for fancy cakes should visit Lucila's Cakes, a popular Miami stop.  Edda Martinez and Lucila Venet Jimenez are famed for their amazing decorations and  variety of flavors from bread pudding to chocolate chip cookies.

The Everglades may be known for gators but they're also known for Knaus Berry Farm.It's owned by Blecher family farm and having been baking homemade rolls and cinnamon buns since the 1960's They also have guava and other fruit pies too.If you;re craving Mexican treats look no further than La Migaja Mexican bakery in Miami's Little Havana. Here they bake and sell sweet breads that owner Jaime Reynoso Perez and his wife Jocelyn Mendozo San Vicente,Madruga  Bakery, owned by Naomi Harris could easily be located in Manhattan. Ms Harris hand mills grains for flour and uses wild yeasts. Her lemon polenta cake is one of the bakery's most popular. Taste Rite Bakery  in another suburb Miami Gardens turns out yummy Jamaican patties made by owner Lyndon Gardner and his wife Jennifer.  The flavors combine Jamaican cooking like callaloo and ackee, an island veggie and american like beef and cheese. There is also the kosher bakery  Zak The Baker owned  by Zak Stern/ which offers bagels and chocolate babkas amid lush murals and clever graffiti.

Miami and its' surrounding suburbs have some of the best bakeries. They are varied from Jewish to american to caribbean. Mexican and Cuban influences have also been added. It's a real buffet of delicious treats.