Oakland

photo courtesy of Kristen Loken

Biting into swoon-worthy pastries created by Brian Wood, the founder, owner and executive pastry chef at Starter Bakery in North Oakland’s Rockridge district, above, it’s unimaginable that it all began with Jiffy pancake mix scooped from a metal canister. From that humble start, though, Wood founded Starter in West Berkeley as a wholesale and pop-up operation in 2010, achieved Bay Area renown for their in-demand, hand-made pastries and in 2023 opened the retail shop in Rockridge.

photo courtesy of Kristen Loken

Brian Wood, the founder, owner and executive pastry chef at Starter Bakery in North Oakland’s Rockridge district, appears with one of his recent culinary creations.

photo courtesy of Kristen Loken

The buttery caramel delicacy of Starter Bakery’s kouign-amann, French “butter-cake” pastries above, floats on the tongue.

photo courtesy of Kristen Loken

Kids look over the recent offerings at Starter Bakery’s new retail shop in Rockridge.

photo courtesy of Kristen Loken

Starter Bakery’s lineup also includes its selection of hearth breads.