Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie.
Hi Leslie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started BreadBasket after working for a local baker who closed her business — and when her spot in the kitchen opened up, I felt like the universe handed me a chance. Around that time, a restaurant we supplied asked if I wanted to be their in-house baker, and I said, “Sure, why not?” I made all their bread from scratch, but I knew I wanted more — more bread, more creative control, more of my vision.
So I asked the chef who had bought the cast iron pans from my former boss if I could buy them back and start something of my own. He said yes and became my first account. I took the open space in the kitchen and ran with it — and BreadBasket Bake House was born.
I went to culinary school to be a chef, but the second we touched sourdough, I knew bread was it for me. My dream is to grow BreadBasket into a morning café and weekend sourdough pizza spot — early mornings, crusty loaves, and wood-fired pizza nights. I’m always learning, always striving, and forever grateful I get to do what I love with my own two hands.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all — but every challenge has shaped who I am and how I run my business. Starting BreadBasket has been a huge learning curve, from applying for permits and sourcing equipment to making sure everything was compliant as a legit LLC. I definitely didn’t do it alone. My brother Ruben has been my biggest supporter — he designed my logo and labels, helped me navigate the permit process, stayed on top of invoices, and showed up for every single market and event. I’m the one in the back, making the bread, running the kitchen — but he’s helped keep it all moving.
And just two months after launching my business, I became a single mother to my 1½-year-old son. That was one of the hardest moments in my life, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to manage both — but I kept going. My family stepped in in the biggest way. When I found out my kitchen was being sold just two weeks before my lease was up, my immediate and extended family came together to help me buy it in cash. They believed in me, and they believed in the dream I had built loaf by loaf over the past year. I truly wouldn’t be here without them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I run a wholesale sourdough bakery, and I specialize in all things sourdough. My goal is to take everyday cravings — whether it’s a cinnamon roll, a soft pretzel, or a crusty loaf — and reimagine them through a sourdough lens. Why not make the things we already love a little better for us? Real sourdough is gut-friendly and made with just four ingredients: flour, water, salt, and a whole lot of patience.
I’d say I’m best known for our cinnamon rolls, pretzels, and classic country loaves. You can find us at the Valencia Farmers Market every Sunday — it’s the only place we sell direct-to-consumer — and we bring new weekly specials based on what’s in season at the market.
One of the most fun things I’ve added recently is sourdough pizza nights! I got a new pizza oven, and it’s been a blast experimenting with it. Every 3–4 weeks, I host a one-night-only pick-up event from my kitchen, and it’s been such a fun way to connect with my community and share even more of what I love baking.
What I’m most proud of is my ability to adapt and create — whether it’s coming up with new flavors, responding to wholesale needs, or just figuring things out as I go. It’s all about staying curious and baking from the heart.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always playing house and living in my imagination. I loved creating little worlds and pretending to cook for everyone. When I hit my teen years, that turned into a real love for baking — cakes, cupcakes, anything sweet. I used to make personalized cakes for my family based on what they loved. One of my proudest early bakes was a Pokéball cake I made for my brother Ruben. I’ve always loved cooking for the people I care about. There’s just something magical about making something with your hands and watching someone light up because of it — that feeling has never left me. It’s still one of my favorite things to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hotplate.com/breadbasketbh?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLI-lRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp3BTXNQ_V_GNM1XkseR4fNotZ4m94mxFQgTI6cVu671BZjjJvAu0NiVha93V_aem_8hHIN42P-a-9sh4hSid1HA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadbasketbh/
Image Credits
Professional photos taken by Timothy Johnson @timjohnnyphotography
