Hello Walnut Creek!
There is a road in Türkiye that leads to a village bakery with no sign, and the bread there is the one this week's neighbor still eats every time he goes home. After nearly 20 years running operations for other companies, he set out to make it here. The result is Whale Bread, a small-batch organic sourdough he bakes himself in the kitchen at Ananas on North Main Street. The name comes from that village, where people took to calling the loaf Balina Ekmek, whale bread. We asked him how it came together.
Tell us the story behind your business. What inspired you to start it, and how did it all begin?
I fell in love with a particular bread that I still eat every time I go back home to Türkiye. I always thought that if something like it were made and sold here in the Bay Area, people would love it.
I started trying to recreate it, and along the way I realized I didn't need an exact copy. That taught me a lot and helped me find my own version. After years of corporate life I wanted to build something of my own, and Whale Bread felt like the natural choice.
Why Walnut Creek? What made you choose this area to plant roots?
This is our community, and we love it here. My two kids go to Murwood and Walnut Creek Intermediate, so I had every reason to build the business here.
What's something about your business that most people don't know?
My background is in mobility and fleet operations, not baking. I spent nearly 20 years building and running operations for other companies, and now I put that same energy into bread.
I'm also the person behind the loaves. I bake every one myself in Ananas' kitchen, and each one is scored by hand, so no two look the same. Whale is very personal to me, from the first batch to hearing what customers think.
What's been your biggest challenge as a small business owner here?
Getting people to discover and try something new that's right here in their community. Some people see good bread as a luxury. I think it belongs on the everyday table.
What's been your most rewarding moment so far?
Seeing kids love my bread. A few families keep coming back because their kids keep asking for Whale. As a father of two, seeing something I make become a favorite in another family's home is a great feeling.
What's next for you? Anything exciting coming up that readers should know about?
For now, you can find Whale Bread at Verde Gourmet and Ananas, both at 1372 N. Main Street. We'd love for more people to stop by and try it.
What comes next will be shaped by what our customers enjoy and ask for. I'm always talking with our Whale lovers, so in a way we'll decide together.
If someone is visiting for the first time, what should they try or experience?
There's more than one way to meet Whale. At Ananas, try a focaccia sandwich or the avocado or burrata bread, all made with Whale Bread. At Verde Gourmet, do an olive oil tasting served with Whale.
Once people taste it with a few different pairings, they usually take a loaf home.
When you go
What: Whale Bread, small-batch organic sourdough
Where: Ananas Coffee and Verde Gourmet, 1372 N. Main St.
When: Daily, until it sells out
Made with: Organic flour, filtered water, sea salt, a little local honey and olive oil
Whale Bread is baked in small batches and available until it sells out, so earlier is better. Stop by Ananas for a sandwich, visit Verde for an olive oil tasting, or reserve a fresh loaf online for pickup.
Find them at whalebread.com | @thewhalebread
Three ways to support them:
Pick up a loaf at Ananas or Verde Gourmet, or reserve one online so it's waiting for you.
Join the Whale Bread list for fresh-batch updates, new creations and a chance to win a free loaf every week. No purchase needed (guidelines).
Follow @thewhalebread to see each day's loaves.
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