OC Blackmarket Bakery Serving Clean Food Since 2004

COSTA MESA, CALIF (June 5, 2014) – Blackmarket Bakery serves thousands of customers clean baked goods through its retail location in Costa Mesa, as well as through its wholesale division that distributes pastries, cookies and muffins to coffeehouses throughout Orange County.  When Chef Rachel Klemek founded the joint 10 years ago, she pledged to only use the real stuff: sugar, eggs, flour and butter.

So when Panera Bread issued a statement that it would remove all artificial ingredients from its recipes by 2016, it wasn't earth-shattering news at Blackmarket Bakery.
Baking with clean ingredients has been the only way they do it since 2004.  "We've created a business based on recipes without artificial colorings, flavorings, preservatives and sweeteners for the past ten years," Klemek said. "When our customers walk in, they can see us making what they're about to eat. We grind real whole nuts to make our peanut and almond butters and we whip vanilla bean paste into our handmade marshmallows served in our s'mores and mochas. And, yes, we make cinnamon graham crackers from scratch too."

Blackmarket Bakery's mission is to re-imagine and rediscover the concept of the old-fashioned bakery by adhering to core values of craft, enthusiasm, delight, mindfulness and pride. Their mantra, "a conscious moment of indulgence" is painted on the wall and reinforced by the smiles on the bakers’ faces.

"Everything that comes out of our ovens is made with the basics that my Southern grandmas used," Klemek said. "If you can pronounce its name and you know where it comes from, then the ingredient is safe." 

Customers won't find red velvet cupcakes on the menu because the recipe calls for artificial coloring. The new menu of latte drinks don't rely powder mixes (well, except real dark cocoa powder) and the team makes all of the simple syrups used in the bakery from scratch.  At the same time, Klemek doesn't claim to bake health food. "Our customers visit us for a conscious moment of indulgence. They celebrate birthdays and graduations with our cakes and they take home our confections to show some love with a thoughtful gift, or maybe to treat themselves to a wonderful 'cheat day,'" she said.

It might take longer and cost a bit more to get the real thing, but Blackmarket Bakery's loyal following know exactly what they're putting into their mouths.

"Business is up substantially since we opened our retail spot last year," Klemek said. "It not only makes sense to eat clean foods, but it also makes financial sense. We'll stay true to our mission."

###
About Blackmarket Bakery
With the memories of her childhood in the South of bakeries and candy shops, Chef Rachel Klemek founded Blackmarket Bakery in 2004. When word spread far and wide, she and her family opened the dynamic hangout and retail shop at The CAMP in Costa Mesa, CA in 2013. It is the place where families, singletons, empty nesters, corporate types – heck we don't discriminate – can enjoy a conscious moment of indulgence with Keán coffee and espresso, rustic desserts, tarts, shortbreads, confections, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, two- and three-tiered “decorate it yourself” cakes and Saturday Night $1 S'Mores. Shoppers can also find bean-to-bar chocolates, gourmet gifts, t-shirts, gift cards and more. For more information and to order online please visit www.BlackmarketBakery.com. Follow the exploits of the Blackmarketeers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ BlackmarketBakery, Twitter @ blackmarketbake, Pinterest and Instagram.