Food - Drink
What Makes Ina Garten's Favorite Hamptons Bakery Special
By KATIE LENHARDT
Local bakeries that make quality goods are becoming increasingly difficult to find; unless you’re Ina Garten. In a "60 Minutes" interview, the Barefoot Contessa revealed her go-to Hampton's bakery is Carissa’s the Bakery, co-founded by Carissa Waechter and Lori Chemla, that became her favorite for more than just good focaccia.
Carissa’s the Bakery began with the humble goal of providing really good bread, and as the popularity of their baked goods grew, so did their menu offerings and retail space. The founders told Hamptons they have pledged to reduce waste and plastics in their baking practice while supporting local farmers by featuring seasonal ingredients.
Garten says that seeing Waechter and Chemla's hard work conjures memories of her own bold move into the food industry many years ago, and that each time she visits the bakery, "it feels like coming home." Garten loves the bakery for its familiar founders and admirable mission, but also for its incredible specialty goods.
Garten's commitment to true artisan products and high-quality ingredients is another reason she supports and frequents the specialty bakery. While the bakery’s goods come with a high price tag, Garten argues it's worth it to enjoy organic, locally-sourced, luxury baked goods made by two women committed to making sustainable quality products.