Episodes
Join host Jim Serpico in this delectable episode of Bread For the People. Meet Sandy Smith, co-founder of Sandi's Breads in Palmyra, PA. Discover their journey from a home kitchen to a bustling bakery. Hear Sandy's baking expertise and the heart behind Sandi's Breads, offering 40 delicious varieties today. Indulge in their heavenly pastries and signature breads like Honey Whole Wheat. It's a captivating story of passion, dedication, and bread perfection. So grab your favorite loaf, tune in to...
Published 06/24/24
In the latest "Bread For the People" episode, host Jim Serpico chats with special guest Tom Stein, owner of Tommy Tacos in Long Island, NY, about food industry entrepreneurship. They discuss challenges like rising costs and explore solutions such as kiosks for efficiency. Tom shares his journey from fine dining to fast food and emphasizes quality and customer experience. This episode offers insights on training, business expansion, and new ventures, providing a mix of industry wisdom and...
Published 06/17/24
In this engaging episode, host Jim Serpico chats with Joshua Grange, the mastermind behind Doap - the innovative silicon scrubbing bar for bakers and dough makers. Joshua is also a seasoned professional guitar player who has shared stages with icons like K.D. Lang and Beck. Their dialogue delves into the profound influence of ear training on musical skills and the art of embracing failure as a catalyst for personal growth. They also discuss the practical aspects of setting realistic goals,...
Published 06/10/24
On this week’s podcast, host Jim Serpico engages in a knowledge-packed conversation with Steve DeAngelis, a seasoned Co-Founder of MMP Creations, a media agency with a clear mission to assist brands in community building. In a world where everyone claims to be a 'Full Service Agency,' MMP stands out with its laser focus on delivering exceptional results through Video and Social Media. Jim and Steve discuss the nuances of brand building and community development for businesses, particularly...
Published 06/03/24
In this Bread For the People episode, host Jim Serpico chats with Mike Pitera, owner of Pizza a Modo Mio and Pizza A Modo Cafe in Charleston, SC. Mike, ranked among the top 10 cheese pizza makers globally by the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, joins Jim to discuss various aspects of the food industry, entrepreneurship, and business ownership. Jim shares his weekly routine and aspirations of opening his first brick-and-mortar store. They reminisce about attending a pizza school in...
Published 05/27/24
In this episode of Bread For the People, host Jim Serpico speaks with Erik Fabian, the Co-Founder of Sourhouse. a company that helps people bake more sourdough bread by creating thoughtfully designed baking tools and inviting people to bake more often. Erik discusses developing a product to help home bakers improve the bulk-proofing stage of bread making. He explains the challenges many home bakers face in achieving the correct bulk proof and how their "DoughBed" product addresses these...
Published 05/20/24
On this episode of Bread For the People, host Jim Serpico takes a break from his usual interview format and shares a personal reflection on the end of the Screen Actors Guild strike. As a successful television producer who has worked on hit shows such as Rescue Me and Maron, Jim offers unique insight into the physical and mental demands of both the entertainment and bread-making industries. He shares details about his career journey and future plans for his businesses. Tune in for this...
Published 11/13/23
Be captivated by the heartfelt journey of bread maker and founder of Prairie Sky Breads Travis Gerjets, in this week's episode of the Bread For the People Podcast. Join host Jim Serpico as he delves into Travis's inspiring story of how a unique soup kitchen experience in Liverpool sparked a passion for baking bread like his beloved grandmother. Travis's desire to preserve family recipes and spend valuable time with his grandmother led him down an extraordinary path. Discover how Travis's...
Published 11/06/23
Join host Jim Serpico as he unleashes his passion for all things bread in this delectable episode of Bread For the People. Get ready to be captivated by the story of Sandy Smith, the co-founder of Sandi's Breads based in Palmyra, PA. Sandy, along with her talented husband Tom, creates magic in their bakery, crafting European artisan breads and pastries that will make your taste buds dance. Prepare to be inspired as you learn about Sandy's humble beginnings, starting in their home kitchen...
Published 10/30/23
Join Jim Serpico on a journey of self-reflection, laughter, and enlightenment as he sits down with the one and only Kelly Carlin. They'll explore the meaning of life (no, really), discuss ego and meditation, dive into the challenges of growing up in the shadow of one of the greatest comedians of all time - George Carlin, and even dish on getting laughs (because isn't that the point of life anyway?). But wait, there's more! They'll also share their insights on Gary Shandling, Jungian...
Published 10/23/23
Jim Serpico speaks with Rebecca Firkser, a Brooklyn-based writer, recipe developer, and food stylist. They talk about developing recipes for cookbooks and websites, being on set for a food photography shoot, Taylor Ham, the world of food media, and the job of a recipe tester. Follow Jim Serpico on Instagram at @jimserpico and @sidehustlebread. Follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccafirkser and at www.rebeccafirkser.com.
Published 10/16/23
Before Jim interviews Jeanette Candido, the founder of The Granola Plant, he gives you a status update on his mobile food trailer. Jim spoke with Jeanette, an artisan granola producer and distributor known for her Gluten-free, oil-free, and processed sugar-free products about selling at various Farmer's Markets around Long Island, New York. Jeanette is someone Jim trusts to share resources and experiences. If you dream of becoming a vendor at a Farmer’s Market, maybe their conversation will...
Published 10/10/23
Auntie Anne's: Beyond Pretzels - A Delicious Story of Family, Community, and SuccessJoin me, Jim Serpico, on Bread For the People as I sit down with the legendary Auntie Anne's Pretzel founder, Anne Beiler, for an intimate and heartwarming interview. In this episode, we dive deep into Anne's fascinating journey from being a humble farmers market vendor, just like me, to revolutionizing the pretzel industry with her iconic Auntie Anne's brand. But there's more to Anne's story than just...
Published 10/02/23
Join host Jim Serpico as he welcomes an infamous Mafioso introduced only as “Tony.” Tony is a successful entrepreneur and restaurateur who credits his own success due to his unique “management” style.. Jim expresses his surprise to be talking to Tony, stating that he had no idea the guest was still around. They have a casual conversation about Tony's whereabouts and what he's been up to in recent years. Tony reveals that he's been "hiding out on the down low." They also discuss bread...
Published 09/25/23
Jim Serpico speaks with Patrick Duffy about playing Bobby Ewing on the hit series Dallas, baking sourdough, and the origin of Duffy's Dough, a company specializing in dehydrated sourdough starter which he co-founded with his wife Linda, his 100-year-old starter from Alaska, blowing out his vocal cords, Buddhism, and more. To learn more about Duffy's Dough, visit Duffy's Dough. Follow Jim Serpico on Instagram at @jimserpico and @sidehustlebread.
Published 09/18/23
Jim Serpico speaks with Tom Cucuzza about sourdough, acid, PH, sourdough starter, temperature, a new rock band of Sourdough Bakers called Protease Enzymes, cold fermentation, rye flour, chasing sour, high protein flour, open crumb, Tartine style, sourdough for busy people, food trucks, focaccia, Italian flatbread sandwiches, baguettes, sourdough baking book reviews, Gozney Dome pizza oven, optimal temperature, chlorine, selling bread by the slice and more! Follow Jim Serpico on Instagram at...
Published 09/11/23
In this episode of "Bread For the People," host Jim Serpico sits down with Auggie Russo, the renowned small batch, handmade pizza maker behind Augie's Infamous. With his Neapolitan-ish style pizzas and two portable pizza ovens, Auggie has gained a dedicated following. Auggie's love for baking extends beyond creating delicious pizzas. He thrives on the experience of serving his creations to a group of people gathered for a special event, each bringing their own unique energy. He cherishes the...
Published 09/04/23
In this episode of "Bread For the People," host Jim Serpico sits down with the multi-talented Olivia Thai, renowned for her incredible musical abilities displayed on American Idol and her exceptional journey as an entrepreneur. However, beneath her well-known accomplishments lies Olivia's deep ardor for baking and the transformative power she discovers in the art of sourdough. Throughout the enlightening conversation, Olivia candidly expresses her affection for baking, which has evolved into...
Published 08/28/23
Join host Jim Serpico in this captivating episode as he sits down with the incredible Eamonn Murphy, famously known as @themayorofpizza on Instagram. Eamonn shares his extraordinary story of being a semi-pro pizza maker, music aficionado, and triumphant cancer survivor. Prepare to dive deep into their conversation, where Jim and Eamonn explore the fascinating realms of music and their shared love for the iconic Grateful Dead. They also delve into the creative use of music on Instagram reels,...
Published 08/21/23
In this episode, Jim Serpico speaks with Daniele Brenci, known as @_BreadCrumb on social media, about his culinary journey from growing up in Rome, working at a traditional Roman cuisine restaurant at 16, to becoming a private chef for celebrities in Malibu. Daniele also shares how he started his bread-making project, Breadcrumb, inspired by a gifted sourdough starter. Discover how Daniele's past and professional experiences influenced his approach to cooking and baking. Listen now! Follow...
Published 08/14/23
In this episode, Anthony Mongiello, the Founder of Formaggio Cheese, reflects on his accidental invention of stuffed crust pizza. He shares how his background in the cheese industry led him to explore pizza-making and how a fortuitous encounter with more petite dough balls sparked the idea for stuffed crust pizza. Anthony recounts a humorous moment when the crust expanded during cooking, creating a calzone-like appearance. Anthony also shares the challenges he faced in obtaining a patent for...
Published 08/07/23
In this podcast episode of Bread For the People, Emily Hyland and Matthew Hyland discuss the journey behind the success of Emmy’s Squared, a pizzeria with 18 locations throughout the United States. Matthew, who originally had no experience in baked goods, learned how to make pizza from a traditional Neapolitan pizza place. Despite having no prior experience, Matthew fell in love with making and eating pizza and decided to pursue a career in the restaurant industry. Emily had discussions with...
Published 07/31/23
Join Jim Serpico as he talks to Sam Silverman, a self-proclaimed expert on bagels. Sam's obsession with bagels started at a young age, and it only grew stronger after he moved to New York City and had his first taste of an authentic New York bagel. The experience was a revelation for Sam, who had previously only known bagels from chain stores like Einstein's and Dunkin Donuts. He realized he had been missing out on the real deal all along and became fascinated with the history and evolution...
Published 07/24/23
Join host Jim Serpico as he interviews Becca Wong, a classically trained pianist who dared herself to start a cottage bakery. In this episode, Becca shares her experience with bread-making and how it allowed her to step out of her comfort zone and embrace new opportunities. Jim also observes the similarities between creative careers like music and bread-making. As a former music student, he has talked to many bread-makers who are painters or musicians. In this conversation, Jim and Becca...
Published 07/17/23