Show 678, May 9, 2026: Master Baker Chef Alex Peña with The Mexican Bakery

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Adam Bell

“Master Baker Chef Alex Peña preserves generations of Mexican Pan Dulce techniques in the groundbreaking cookbook, “The Mexican Bakery””

“Some of the best conversations of my life happened over the bakery bench,” says Master Baker Chef Alex Peña, recalling the rhythm of work at his family’s Cypress Park bakery, La Morenita. “It was a harmony of hands and hearts, built around old-world dough.

“For generations, the techniques behind authentic Mexican pan dulce have been passed down at those benches, with closely guarded regional recipes perfected by bakers who traveled north from Central America, gathering knowledge at bakeries throughout Mexico. These itinerant bakers became deeply polished in their craft, but their expertise remained unwritten, preserved only through demonstration and years of apprenticeship. Until now.”

“In The Mexican Bakery, Chef Alex has created the industry’s first comprehensive guide to Mexican pan dulce and its evolution in North America. This 333-page cookbook captures over 50 traditional recipes spanning the five categories of pan dulce that have been the backbone of Mexican bakeries.”

“Chef Alex grew up learning these techniques at La Morenita before training at Le Cordon Bleu and building an international career as Director of Product Development at Bellarise. When the pandemic brought him back to his home kitchen in 2020, he realized these treasured recipes and techniques existed only in the memories and hands of family panaderos.”

“The Mexican Bakery carries on these traditions for home and professional bakers while setting a new standard for cookbooks. Every single recipe features detailed step-by-step photography. Professional costing and conversion tools allow bakers to scale from home batches to commercial production. In addition, QR codes link directly to over $400 in masterclasses taught by Chef Alex at the Baking Evolution School of Baking in Duarte, California, offering in-depth guidance beyond the page. From delicate sandwich cookies like besos to the warmth of a fresh telera, each recipe in The Mexican Bakery combines technical precision, artistry, history, and the camaraderie between bakers that make Mexican baking traditions so rich.”

Chef Alex Peña puts down his whisk to join us.

Show 156, January 23, 2016: Dean Kim, Master Baker, OC Baking, Orange, CA

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Adam Bell

Dean Kim has developed an incredible (and well-deserved) following among the top (and most demanding) restaurants in Orange County as the personable, artisan bread baker creating a superior, boutique product along with unmatched customer service. He’s just moved his 5-year-old bakery into a vastly expanded (4 times as big) new production bread bakery with state-of-the-art equipment and ten ovens. His deck oven is from Italy.

Dean actually has the enviable problem of having more business than he can comfortably handle. Baker Dean tears himself away from the morning bake to bring us up-to-date on the new Orange facility. Yes, he’s always on the rise…

“An artisan baker is a craftsman who works with flour, water and salt rather than clay, stone or paint to create a work of art. And while the basic elements are the same and available to anyone, it’s the personal knowledge, experience and talent of the baker that helps create his own signature artisan breads.”

“OC Baking Company‘s award-winning executive artisan baker Dean Kim has been baking handcrafted breads for many of Southern California’s leading hotels and restaurants for nearly 18 years. He works hand-in-hand with chefs to create artisan breads that complement their meals. Artisan breads, like fine wine and cheese, each have their own aromas, taste and structure that impact the overall taste of the food and wine.”

“OC Baking Company is dedicated to producing “the ultimate in artisan breads” for its customers that are as unique as the meals with which they are serving.”

Show 68, April 5, 2014: Show 68, April 5, 2014: Master Baker Dean Kim, OC Baking Co

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Adam Bell

In celebration of National Grilled Cheese Month in April, OC Baking Co. and Provisions Market in Orange will join forces to host The Big Cheese, Orange County’s first grilled cheese festival and competition. OC Baking Co. Master Baker Dean Kim will supply locally produced freshly baked bread to top OC chefs competing for the title of “The Big Cheese” on Monday, April 14th from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at Provisions Market in Orange.

“The Chef community in Orange County is a tight knit one with many talented individuals I’m proud to call my friends,” commented Chef Greg Daniels, who oversees the kitchens at Haven Gastropub in Orange and Pasadena, as well as taco asylum in Costa Mesa. “Grilled Cheese is something we can all relate to and, thanks to OC Baking Co.’s support, this event is a way for us to get together for a lighthearted competition.”