A Charmed Loaf
A new artisan bakery rises to the occasion.
Photography: Chelsea Fitch
Brent Whitford, a former chef at Park City’s Chez Betty restaurant, says he’s a “self-taught baker.” On the evidence, he must be one fine teacher.
The handcrafted Red Bicycle breads that Whitford and his girlfriend, Gwen Plumert, create every day are the talk of the town. Think soft, seductive baguettes laced with olive oil and sea salt, hefty rounds flavored with herbes de Provence and citrus, a boule with roasted yams and molasses, and even a chocolate chipotle loaf—among other tempting breads.
Since launching the business with partner Brad Hart last year, Whitford says sales have risen like crazy. Consequently, the signature red bicycle he used to hitch up to a trailer for deliveries to the summer Park Silly Sunday Market (where he sells 250 loaves each week) has become more of a symbol than a mode of transportation.
“Things are moving fast business-wise, but our breads recall a better, slower time when bakers did almost everything by hand, insisted on the freshest possible ingredients, and each loaf was a labor of love,” Whitford says. “Most of our loaves are made in the Italian style, with really simple local ingredients, like flour from Utah’s Roller Mills and Redmond salt from the Great Salt Lake.
“We try to make everything with our hands, the artisan way, without a lot of machines,” he continues. “Gwen likes to say we’re ‘keeping Park City crusty.’” Well, someone had to do it.
Find Red Bicycle Breads at The Market at Park City year-round (1500 Snow Creek Dr) and at the Park Silly Sunday Market in summer. facebook.com/redbicyclebread
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