Askatu Bakery

Last updated
Askatu Bakery
Askatu Bakery logo.png
Seattle, Washington, U.S. (November 2022) - 170.jpg
The bakery's exterior in 2022
Askatu Bakery
Restaurant information
Street address2209 4th Avenue
City Seattle
CountyKing
StateWashington
Postal/ZIP Code98121
CountryUnited States
Coordinates 47°36′53″N122°20′36″W / 47.6147°N 122.3433°W / 47.6147; -122.3433

Askatu Bakery (sometimes Askatu Bakery and Cafe) [1] is a Latino- and woman-owned bakery in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, in the U.S. state of Washington. [2] As an "allergen-free" bakery, Askatu offers gluten-free and vegan options, and avoids eggs, nuts, and wheat. Established by Estela Martinez in 2019, the business has also been a vendor at the farmers' market in the University District. Askatu has garnered a positive reception.

Contents

Description

The Latino- [3] and woman-owned [4] bakery is located in downtown Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. Noms magazine says the cafe offers a "unique blend of Basque and American" pastries, as well as coffee and tea. [5] The menu included breads, cakes, cookies, mooncakes (golden ube, pandan coconut, and red bean varieties), and other pastries. Askatu is known for its gluten-free options and avoids use of xanthan or guar gums. [6] KNKX has described the business as an "allergen-free" bakery which avoids eggs, nuts, and wheat. Mooncakes are imprinted with one of four stamps with different designs. [7] The menu has also included jackfruit-vegetable bao, cinnamon rolls, and hamantaschen. [8] Seattle's Child magazine has said Askatu is "free of the top nine allergens". [9]

The Seattle Metropolitan has described the business as "inherently" vegan and a "thriving, if small ... cornerstone of intentional baking". The magazine said the owner "uses mainly earth-friendly ancient grain as the base for all of their baked goods including several varieties of sorghum and millet. These grains are drought tolerant and require much less water and chemicals to grow, making for delicious earth and allergy-friendly treats." [10]

Askatu is associated with Liberated Foods by the same owner. In 2021, Lindsey Kirschman of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said the bakery "doles out goods alongside Liberated Foods, LLC, a minority- and woman-owned small business that specializes in making allergen-free baked goods and mixes to order. From the elimination of wheat, dairy, soy and eggs to nuts, peanuts, fish and shellfish, corn, rice, yeast and potatoes, the company strives to create equally tasty goods without the allergens." [11]

History

Sidewalk sign, 2022 Seattle, Washington, U.S. (November 2022) - 168.jpg
Sidewalk sign, 2022

Askatu is owned by head baker Estela Marie Degr Martinez, [12] who initially operated the business at farmers' markets in 2015, and later opened a brick and mortar bakery in October 2019. [13] She focused on allergen-free foods because of her family members with food allergies. [14] Upon learning about her daughter's allergies, "Martinez got right to work, buying up all the ingredients her daughter could eat and blending them into baked goods, tinkering until she cracked the code on wonderful cookies, brownies, cakes and even a peanut butter-like substitute", according to Jackie Varriano of The Seattle Times. [15] Martinez also owns the affiliated company Liberated Foods, which she started following some encouragement from her daughter's classmate's mother. [16] Liberated Foods also specializes in allergen-friendly baked goods and breads. [2]

Askatu has been a vendor at the farmers' market in the University District. [6] According to the Seattle Metropolitan, Askatu is "EnviroStars-certified, a City of Seattle program that recognizes green businesses and provides free sustainability tools and resources". [10] [17] The bakery is part of the Intentionalist network, which seeks to increase awareness of minority-owned small businesses in the region. [4] [18]

In 2022, Askatu Bakery was a vendor at the United Way of King County's first annual barbecue festival. [19] The business also provided lunches for immunocompromised nurses at vaccination clinics. [20] In 2023, Martinez estimated that as much as 85 percent of foot traffic to Askatu is Amazon employees. [13]

Askatu has participated in Seattle Restaurant Week. [21] In 2023, the business participated in the Downtown Renton Chocolate Crawl. [22]

Reception

Interior, 2022 Seattle, Washington, U.S. (November 2022) - 172.jpg
Interior, 2022

Lindsey Kirschman included the bakery in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's 2021 list of the 14 best confectioneries in Seattle for holiday sweets and treats. [11] In 2022, Sabra Boyd of Eater Seattle wrote, "Askatu's gluten-free baguettes boast a crunchy Maillard crust and beautiful crumb when sliced; a precise mix of proteins create the texture that every nostalgic celiac or gluten-intolerant person longs for. (This might sound like over-the-top praise, but for many, life without bread can feel limiting.)" [6] Boyd, Dylan Joffe, and Maggy Lehmicke included the bakery in a 2022 overview of "where to eat fantastic gluten-free food in Seattle", [8] and Harry Cheadle included Askatu in Eater Seattle's 2023 list of 18 of the city's "most perfect" bakeries. [23] Noms magazine included Askatu in a 2023 list of Seattle's twelve best bakeries. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

Cherrybrook Kitchen is a privately held company producing baking products for the food allergy market. The company was founded in 2004 by Patsy Rosenberg and is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. The company was acquired by Cell-nique in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carol Kicinski</span> American TV chef and Cookbook author

Carol Kicinski is a gluten-free advocate, TV chef, magazine founder and editor-in-chief, gluten-free recipe developer, cookbook author, and food writer. She is the founder of Simply Gluten Free Omnimedia, Inc. Kicinski is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Simply Gluten Free magazine. She presents monthly episodes as a gluten-free TV chef on Daytime, a nationally syndicated morning television show produced by NBC-based WFLA-Tampa Bay. She has been gluten-free for more than 20 years. In 2018, Kicinski launched a gluten-free mineral makeup line, Beauté Minerals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baking mix</span> Dry foodstuff used in baking

A baking mix is a mixed formulation of ingredients used for the cooking of baked goods. Baking mixes may be commercially manufactured or homemade. Baking mixes that cater to particular dietary needs, such as vegan, gluten-free, or kosher baking mixes, can be bought in many places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Blue Pizza</span> Defunct pizzeria in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Baby Blue Pizza was a vegan pizzeria in Portland, Oregon. The restaurant operated from July 2019 to January 2022, closing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">An Xuyên Bakery</span> Bakery in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

An Xuyên Bakery is a bakery in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Cascadia Traditional</span> Bakery in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

New Cascadia Traditional is a gluten-free bakery in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seastar Bakery</span> Defunct bakery in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Seastar Bakery was a bakery in Portland, Oregon, United States. Annie Moss and Katia Bezerra-Clark owned and operated the business, which shared a space with Handsome Pizza in northeast Portland's Vernon neighborhood starting in 2015. Seastar served breads, cookies, pastries, and toast, among other baked goods. Despite garnering a positive reception and being deemed one of the city's best bakeries by Eater Portland and Portland Monthly, Seastar closed in August 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuji Bakery</span> Bakery in the U.S. state of Washington

Fuji Bakery is a bakery with multiple locations in the Seattle metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hood Famous</span> Bakery in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Hood Famous Cafe and Bar, also known as Hood Famous Bakeshop or simply Hood Famous, is a Filipino bakery with two locations in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington. Operating in Ballard and the Chinatown–International District (C-ID), the business is co-owned by spouses Chera Amlag and Geo Quibuyen of Blue Scholars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biscuit Bitch</span> Restaurant chain in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Biscuit Bitch is a small chain of restaurants in the Seattle metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Washington. The business operates in Belltown and at Pike Place Market. Previously, Biscuit Bitch had locations in Pioneer Square and White Center, which closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three Girls Bakery</span> Bakery in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Three Girls Bakery is a bakery at Seattle's Pike Place Market, in the U.S. state of Washington. The business was founded by three women in 1912.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dahlia Bakery</span> Bakery in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Dahlia Bakery is a pastry shop in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, in the U.S. state of Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Parisienne French Bakery</span> Bakery in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

La Parisienne French Bakery is a French bakery in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, in the U.S. state of Washington. Owned by the Morin family, the business has also operated an outpost in Bellevue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bakery Nouveau</span> Bakery in the U.S. state of Washington

Bakery Nouveau is a small chain of bakeries in the U.S. state of Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serious Pie</span> Pizza chain in the Seattle metropolitan area, U.S.

Serious Pie is a pizzeria with multiple locations in the Seattle metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Washington. Operated by Tom Douglas, Serious Pie has been described as "arguably [his] most successful brand".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raised Doughnuts</span> Bakery in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Raised Doughnuts and Cakes is a bakery and doughnut shop in Seattle's Central District, in the U.S. state of Washington. Baker and owner Mi Kim launched the business as a pop-up in 2017, with her business partner I-Miun Liu. Raised relocated to a brick and mortar shop in mid 2018, and has since moved to the Midtown Square development.

Kristina Cho is a James Beard Award winning cookbook author, food blogger, and content creator. Her cookbook, Mooncakes and Milk Bread: Sweet and Savory Recipes Inspired by Chinese Bakeries, won two James Beard awards. She also runs the popular food blog and Instagram page, Eat Cho Food.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kedai Makan</span> Malaysian restaurant in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Kedai Makan is a Malaysian restaurant on Seattle's Capitol Hill, in the U.S. state of Washington.

Ben's Bread Co. is a bakery in Phinney Ridge, Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington. Spouses Ben and Megan Campbell are co-owners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boca (restaurant)</span> Restaurant in Washington, United States

Boca is the common name of a small chain of restaurants in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington. Locations include the Boca Restobar and Grill, Boca Restaurant at Queen City Grill, and Boca Argentine Bakery and Pizzeria.

References

  1. ↑ "What's open for business during the 'Stay home, stay healthy' order?". The Seattle Times . The Seattle Times Company. 2020-03-31. ISSN   0745-9696. OCLC   9198928. Archived from the original on 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  2. 1 2 "Seattle bakery cuts out allergens but keeps the satisfaction". The Seattle Times. 2023-05-16. Archived from the original on 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  3. ↑ "Latinx-Owned Businesses & Restaurants in Seattle You Can Support Right Now". Seattle Refined. 2021-09-21. Archived from the original on 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  4. 1 2 "Woman-Owned Businesses & Restaurants in Seattle You Can Support Right Now". Seattle Refined. 2021-04-07. Archived from the original on 2022-07-30. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  5. 1 2 "12 Best Bakeries In Seattle To Visit In 2023 (+ What To Order)". Noms Magazine. 2023-07-19. Archived from the original on 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  6. 1 2 3 Boyd, Sabra (2022-02-11). "Belltown Bakery Askatu Is Revolutionizing Gluten-Free Bread With Molecular Science". Eater Seattle . Vox Media. Archived from the original on 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  7. ↑ "This allergen free bakery makes mooncakes everyone can enjoy". Tacoma, Washington: KNKX. 2022-09-09. Archived from the original on 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  8. 1 2 Joffe, Dylan (2016-08-10). "Where to Eat Fantastic Gluten-Free Food in Seattle". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  9. ↑ Monkkonnen, Jamie (2022-08-19). "Dining out with food allergies: How and where". Seattle's Child. Archived from the original on 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  10. 1 2 "Put It On Our Tab: Intentionalist x Seattle Restaurant Week". Seattle Metropolitan . ISSN   1931-2792. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  11. 1 2 Kirschman, Lindsey (2021-12-09). "The 14 best Seattle confectioneries for holiday sweets, treats". Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Hearst Communications. ISSN   0745-970X. OCLC   3734418. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  12. ↑ "CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IN SEATTLE (SEPT. 15 - OCT. 15)". La Raza del Noroeste. September 17, 2021.
  13. 1 2 Reporter, Lynnanne Nguyen (2023-05-02). "Downtown Seattle businesses welcome uptick in foot traffic as Amazon employees return". KOMO-TV. Archived from the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  14. ↑ Varriano, Jackie (May 21, 2023). "Askatu Bakery in Belltown cuts out allergens but keeps the satisfaction". The Seattle Times. Martinez says that while some people don't want to take on the task of navigating food allergies to bake from scratch, for her it wasn't an option. Martinez and her husband, Steve Martinez, have three children with allergies; their oldest son was diagnosed with dairy and egg allergies as an infant - but when Martinez's daughter Elena was born in 2001, everything was different... She started Askatu in 2015, first popping up at farmers markets and events before opening the Belltown bakery in October 2019. The bakery is not only free from gluten and the other seven most common allergens, but also free from rice, corn, potatoes and xanthan gum.
  15. ↑ The Seattle Times:
    • Varriano, Jackie (June 16, 2023). "How a food writer's family learned to adapt after her kid was diagnosed with celiac". The Seattle Times.
    • Varriano, Jackie (June 18, 2023). "How a food-loving family came together, learned to cope after a celiac diagnosis". The Seattle Times. pp. E4.
  16. ↑ Derby, Jack. "Local Seattle Cake Con Convention Takes the Cake". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 2023-07-15. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  17. ↑ "Recognized EnviroStars – EnviroStars". Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  18. ↑ "No Community Members Left Behind". Portland Monthly . ISSN   1546-2765. Archived from the original on 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  19. ↑ Sposato, Jonathan (2022-09-07). "Real Society: United Way Bounceback BBQ". Seattle Magazine. Archived from the original on 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  20. ↑ Callaghan, Adam H. (2022-12-30). "Seattle Restaurants That Really Stepped Up for the Community This Year". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  21. ↑ "Spotlight Fall 2020". Seattle Restaurant Week. Archived from the original on 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  22. ↑ "Chocolate Crawl takes downtown Renton by storm". Renton Reporter. 2023-01-30. Archived from the original on 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  23. ↑ "18 of Seattle's Most Perfect Bakeries". Eater Seattle. 2016-10-24. Archived from the original on 2022-10-09. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.