Welcome to wants & kneads, a Gluten Free Microbakery

Who I Am and What Inspired Me to Start Baking

I started wants & kneads because I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find truly delicious gluten-free baked goods. Both myself and my sister got diagnosed with celiac disease in the late 2010s. At the time it was a surprise because no one in our family had ever been diagnosed with celiac disease. But after learning more about autoimmune conditions, we learned that other autoimmune conditions (thyroid, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) are closely tied to celiac disease.

Perhaps like many other millennial women (and arguably women of all generations), I've had a complicated relationship with food, specifically with bread and desserts. The added layer of the "gluten-free diets" of the early 2020s increased some of these complicated feelings. But happy memories of baking and, what I'd like to think, the genetic predisposition of baking (my great-grandfather owned a bakery in NY), continued to bring me back to the kitchen. Many of my favorite memories growing up are anchored of memories in the kitchen - baking a homemade cake for the first time with my mom (German Chocolate and Carrot Cake were our go-to's), making the annual spread of Christmas cookies, and testing out healthier baking recipes (and eating some really bad ones, naturally).

What Is a Microbakery?

Microbakeries are small-batch bakeries, often run out of peoples homes. Items are often pre-order and pickup only, sold through other in person events (ex: farmers markets), or custom made. Microbakeries lower the barrier to entry to bakers to earn income and can also help reduce food waste since most items are made-to-order.

Microbakeries need to get certified by the state in which they operate. (Washington, in wants & kneads case) under a Cottage Food Permit administered by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Each state has their own requirements. In Washington, I had to create a business entity with the Secretary of State, get a business license, take a food safety worker course, and file an extensive application which included providing labels, cleaning processes, sales channels, etc. As a microbakery in Washington, wants & kneads also must adhere to certain Cottage Food laws

Why Did I Start a Microbakery?

I work full-time in corporate, and starting a microbakery has helped me test the waters of moving from hobby baking to the baking of business. I've always wanted to be a baker, and opening up wants & kneads has helped me learn - pilot test, if you will - a bit about what it's like to own a bakery.

I saw a huge opportunity in the market in the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington and frankly, the greater Seattle area as a whole. After two years of living on the Kitsap Peninsula, I have only found one dedicated gluten-free bakery in Seattle. Unfortunately, more and more people continue to develop gluten intolerances and autoimmune conditions. Cross-contamination, especially in a bakery (SO MUCH FLOUR) is a real concern.

I connect with people over food - both making it for people and eating with people. As an introvert, I often prefer making and serving food. Baking should definitely be considered a love language. But it can be really hard to connect with people when you have food intolerances or allergies, I think in part because it's hard to share food.

Eating with wants & kneads

Everything at wants & kneads is based on a (mostly) weekly rotating menu. Customers place orders in advance via Hotplate to ensure fresh production and pickup their orders on the scheduled days. Customers can also submit custom orders for events, including birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers, and corporate events.

Here are some examples of what wants & kneads has offered in the past:

• Artisan loaf

• Biscotti

• Focaccia

• Italian butter cookies

• Chocolate chip cookies

• & more!

  
  

How You Can Support and Participate

Since wants & kneads doesn't have a traditional storefront, staying connected digitally is super important. Sign up to get text messages whenever pre-order menus are open, and sign up for emails if you want more information on menus, whats new with wants & kneads, and more.