Main Sections

Otter Creek Bakery Celebrates 30 Years

photo by Mike Cameron Ben & Sarah Wood have built a solid foothold in the community with their delicious offerings all produced within their open-kitchen bakery since 1986.

Tuesday April 12, 2016

By Mike Cameron

Ben and Sarah Wood, owners and operators of Otter Creek Bakery enjoy a terrific marketing niche here in The Champlain Valley and beyond.  For over three decades now they have used their individual and collective professional skills to build a successful business with a loyal following.
    Combining their individual talents has been a key ingredient for that success.  They love and enjoy what they do and it shows.  Their business philosophy of 'quality over quantity' has worked well indeed for this small batch craft bakery featuring local ingredients and a large measure of T.L.C.
    A look at the history of the business brings to light some insight.  Ben began training in his profession in 1975.  Sarah joined him in 1979 while both were working on Nantucket Island.  Ben has honed his craft with apprenticeships under some excellent chefs from Miami to San Francisco.     
   Asked about their local customer loyalty, Ben says: “It's humbling, we see many of our regular customers almost daily,”  Bakeries in many small European villages experience this same bonding process and Otter Creek captures this European style even to their interior décor, display cases and exterior signage.  Dining outside is common on warm spring, summer and fall days.  Middlebury College is a short walk away and many international students and faculty feel right at home with members of our local community through Otter Creek Baker.
    Bread is said to be the 'staff of life' and Otter Creek Bakery has an assortment to satisfy any taste.  How about beautiful breakfast treats including seasonal specials?  There are also gluten free offerings.  Everything is made from scratch.  Coffee is made with locally roasted beans and their hot chocolate is made in the kitchen.  There is a full Barista menu.  Lunch is offered daily with just about everything  locally sourced right down to their own mayo and dressing.
    From an amazingly creative and delicious special event cake menu to a gift of pastry sent to family and friends, yes they will ship.  They also have an excellent catering menu.  What's it like to celebrate thirty years of growth and innovation?  Sarah  is planning to offer free honey buns on their birthday.  “We're getting older,” she says with a smile as Ben helps their next customer at the register.  To learn more about Otter Creek Bakery here in Middlebury, find them on the web at ottercreekbakery.com.  To Ben and Sarah, congratulations and we will see you again soon.  

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives