The Roots of Rustic Bakery
The Roots of Rustic Bakery
It all began with the search for a perfect sourdough flatbread cracker
Celebrating 20 Years of Rustic Bakery
To mark our 20th anniversary, we shared favorite recipes, behind-the-scenes stories, and reflections from the people who helped shape Rustic Bakery. From “Perfect Bites” to special collaborations, we invite you to share the best of the past two decades.
Our Origin
In Search of The Perfect Cheese Pairing
Rustic Bakery started on a whim in 2005. A passion for baking resulted in the creation of a simple sourdough flatbread cracker that became a staple to pair with artisan cheeses when entertaining.
This led to a visit to Cowgirl Creamery at the San Francisco Ferry Building where a discussion ensued with owners Sue Conley and Peggy Smith about their beautiful, artisan cheeses and the need for an artisan cracker accompaniment. The Cowgirls bit, literally, into a sample of Rustic Bakery sourdough flatbread and immediately placed an order for 50 cases.
The first flatbread crackers were produced in a commercial bakery space behind a wine bar which was quickly taken over and turned into a cafe which served coffee, baked goods, quiche and salads accompanied with flatbread crackers.
The Early Days
Building Cafés and Community
We’ve grown since those early days and Rustic Bakery now operates four cafes in Marin County, north of San Francisco. We moved our bakery to a larger facility in Sonoma County. Our cafes are a gathering spot for locals serving baked goods, salads and sandwiches. Our quality has never wavered and we continue to source the highest quality, local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Our chef team creates innovative new items that showcase the bounty of seasonal ingredients from our Northern California home.
The Future of Rustic Bakery
Committed To Quality
Regardless of the growth we’ve enjoyed over two decades, our products continue to be made with the same attention to detail and quality from our early days. We bake everything by hand and always use the best ingredients available.
