bake - July/August 2023 - 16

at the point of sale can encourage purchases of freshly
prepared foods. 80% of shoppers agreed that they would
like to have more information about the sources of the
fresh items they purchase in the grocery store readily
available to them in-store.
Although shoppers want the convenience of shopping
that technology has enabled, when they come
into the store, they want a worthwhile experience. 72%
said that experts available to answer questions on
specific food items made them feel like it was worth
the trip to the store.
Retail response
Retail bakeries across the country are showcasing new
products like never before.
Celebrating its 5th anniversary in 2023, Okayama Kobo
Bakery & Cafe was founded by Tsunetaka Kawakami in
Anaheim, Calif. Lacking the funds to pursue a university
education, Kawakami supported himself by working
at a chain of small bakeries, laboring and practicing
until eventually his skill matched that of his supervisor.
Kawakami went on to build his own self-run business
with the opening of his first bakery, Okayama Kobo
Liaison, and later his second bakery location, Okayama
Kobo Kunitomi.
Further, in collaboration with other businesses, the
bakery features unique menu items from different restaurants.
Customers can pre-order and pick up these items,
along with other items at Okayama Kobo Bakery &
Cafe. These bakery products are handmade using 100%
Hokkaido flour, additive/preservative free dough, and
baked fresh daily.
Springboarded by the success of both locations,
Kawakami established a consulting business, and through
this helped open over 200 bakery locations across Japan.
" Takumi is a Japanese word meaning artisan, " Kawakami
explains. " We want to celebrate Asian creatives by
bringing you the best in handcrafted, well-designed,
long-lasting, and either organic, sustainable or ethically
produced products that honor the culture of Asian
craftsmanship. "
Signature items include the Mentai Salt & Butter Roll
(Mentaiko, or Spicy cod roe, filled inside a salt and
butter roll, topped with seaweed); Matcha Mochi An-Pan,
Matcha-flavored bun filled with chunky red bean and
mochi; Kobo Kuma, Bear-shaped soft bun, filled with
homemade vanilla bean custard; and Chocolate Emoji,.
Savory selections include the popular Hot Dog Panini,
which is made with Japanese pork sausage, ketchup,
mustard, mayo, and cheddar cheese.
The bakery café concept
Established in 1998, Blue Dog Bakery and Café in
Louisville, Ken., specializes in European-style breads
and pastries, as well as a growing number of sandwiches,
soups, salads and flatbreads, as well as an extensive
DRESS FOR THE OCCASION
Keep your staff in style with National Bakery Day T-Shirts. The RBA is pleased to offer a collection of
t-shirts featuring exclusive designs celebrating National Bakery Day. The National Bakery Day store is now open at
www.retailbakersofamerica.org/events-education/national-bakery-day. All items are print on demand. To learn more,
contact Info@RetailBakersofAmerica.org.
Please allow 14 business days from order to receipt of items. The National Bakery Day store will close for orders
on Aug. 20.
16 < JUL-AUG 2023 | bakemag.com
RETAIL BAKERS OF AMERICA

http://www.retailbakersofamerica.org/events-education/national-bakery-day http://www.bakemag.com

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