{"id":407200,"date":"2022-03-10T10:08:31","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T16:08:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/?p=407200"},"modified":"2022-03-10T10:09:11","modified_gmt":"2022-03-10T16:09:11","slug":"james-beard-award-winner-greg-wade-launches-new-bakery-in-west-town","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/james-beard-award-winner-greg-wade-launches-new-bakery-in-west-town\/","title":{"rendered":"James Beard Award Winner Greg Wade Launches New Bakery in West Town"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since joining Chef & Partner Paul Kahan and the One Off Hospitality team eight years ago, launching Publican Quality Bread alongside The Publican, Publican Quality Meats, avec, Big Star and more, Baker Greg Wade has transformed the group\u2019s baking program from a seedling operation to a highly successful wholesale business, providing bread to over 100 of the city\u2019s top chefs, restaurants, and premier independent retailers in the area.<\/p>\n

Known for partnering with small, family-owned farms across the Midwest to grow rare heritage grains that produce freshly stone-milled flours, PQB\u2019s bread goes through a lengthy fermentation process that has earned a reputation of being the most flavorful and sustainable bread in the region.<\/p>\n

\"PQB
Image Credit: One Off Hospitality<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2019, Wade was recognized as the \u201cOutstanding Baker of the Year\u201d by the James Beard Foundation for these extensive efforts supporting the artisan food community and was featured in the documentary, “Sustainable: A Documentary on the Local Food Movement in America,” which is available for rent or download on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu or VHX.<\/p>\n

Now in 2022, Wade and One Off take PQB to an entirely new level, moving operations into a brand-new 4,200 square foot home located at 1759 West Grand Avenue in Chicago\u2019s West Town neighborhood. The new location more than doubles the size and production capabilities of his most recent facility.<\/p>\n

\"PQB
Image Credit: One Off Hospitality<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also, Wade and an expanded team of 11 bakers with experience from venues including Tartine, Eataly, and Little Goat will introduce an entirely new public-facing, grab-and-go retail counter with full La Colombe coffee bar later this spring. The counter will present warm tartines, indulgent stuffed pastries with oozy cream fillings and sweet toppings, layered sweet and savory croissants, and fresh-out-of-the-oven baguettes instantly transformed into stacked sandwiches to be served at a baker\u2019s whim when hot-and-ready.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve come a long way since producing loaves out of the basement of Publican Quality Meats in the early days,\u201d says Wade. \u201cGreat, high-quality bread is something people have always loved, maybe even more so after a global fascination with baking throughout the pandemic. Prior to becoming a baker, I was working in restaurants, so this chef\u2019s eye gives me a little bit different of an approach to baking, and I\u2019m excited to be able to flex that creativity more than ever before with our new facility.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PQB
Image Credit: One Off Hospitality<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With abundant natural light and high ceilings, PQB\u2019s new space can be rented out for private events and will host interactive baking classes. It also has a glass wall peering directly into the bakery that allows guests and those passing by to watch the team roll out and bake an expanded menu of bread offerings in their massive ovens, which can now bake up to 200 loaves of sour dough at once.<\/p>\n

Offerings will now include a customized assortment of new rotating product such as toasted sesame sour dough and malted rye loaves, as well as seasonal specialties such as Irish Soda Bread, Challah, cornbread, holiday panettones, stenciled loaves (AKA \u201cdesigner carbs\u201d) and more.<\/p>\n

More details on the retail grab-and-go counter and caf\u00e9 will be rolled out soon. Publican Quality Bread is currently offered for pick-up, delivery or online at our sister shop, Publican Quality Meats in the West Loop. Select items are offered for nationwide shipping at One Off at Home.<\/p>\n

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