Nommmrades!
A preface that this is not goodbye. Not even kind of.
For four years, I have hustled hard. I left a lucrative culinary career as an established consulting chef, and executive pastry chef… to be home and safe and survive a pandemic: to be a parent and a partner and a maker of space. The pandemic changed restaurants, in a way that only the industry bbs will fully possess the power hold as loss and distress. Nommmunism started as a humble delivery bakery, conceived 20+ years ago by a young me in a land of live music and stoney service workers. I made it happen, and I’ve done it well. I’m not afraid to say that. I’ve adapted this little bakery with big opinions; improvised and toiled and broken parts of myself. This was supposed to be easier.
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But the battle against capitalism and every growing cost of survival, plus changes in my own personal life, just makes this nearly impossible for now. I’ve worked so hard to keep prices low, wholesaling and retailing at below industry standards. Working to be cheaper than Starbucks or “Fartket Basket” with hand crafted (from butter to glitter) patisserie designed to delight AND entertain.
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I work now, 40+ hours a week for a not for profit abortion clinic. I have a kiddo who needs me more than ever, and a spouse who works 60 hrs a week and tries to stay present. I’m just a people, a full sized baby.
Nommmunism takes, for a single 90 piece wholesale order, 3 days of 8-12 hours of prep and production. I net about $80 average off a wholesale weekend. After CoG, that’s thirty cents an hour. After CoG and delivery, that’s NINE cents an hour with a $22 net. I keep showing up, for you, to offer food options and visibility through action and activism. And I’m just so fucking tired.
So it’s summer break for Nommms. For me. You’ll find me at your friendly, trauma informed repro clinic, soothing your scheduling needs with the velveteen molasses cadence of a Marxist ex Texan. I’m still doing the damn thing. Still showing up for you, and also working on so much more… all this to say, Nommmunism is taking a break to breathe. Be back when it’s cooler, and 25# sack of flour goes back to being cheaper than a gallon of gas.
Rebranding as a guerrilla bakery… catch me if you can!