Heather Hardcastle: Redefining Gluten-Free Baking at Flour Craft Bakery & Cafe

Heather Hardcastle is a California-based pastry chef known for redefining gluten-free baking through a seasonal, ingredient-driven lens. Her work centers on creating food that feels generous, beautiful, and deeply satisfying — and just so happens to be gluten-free. Heather is the founder of Flour Craft Bakery, a beloved 100% gluten-free bakery with two Bay Area locations, established in 2010. Through Flour Craft, she has built a loyal following for her refined yet approachable pastries and savory offerings rooted in natural ingredients and artisan technique. Heather is the author of The Flour Craft Bakery & Cafe Cookbook (Welcome Books, 2021), and has developed widely distributed product lines that bring her signature style into home kitchens. Her work continues to evolve through her growing Substack community, where she shares seasonal recipes and cooking rhythms, and through her retail concept, The GoodLife Shop.  Flourcraftbakery.com Shopgoodlifehome.com Instagram: @flourcraft Substack: flourcraft.substack.com In this episode we explore: •    What made Heather change careers and immerse herself in pastry •    Attending CIA and teaching herself the art of gluten-free pastry •    From farmers' markets to a brick-and-mortar space: the birth of Flour Craft Bakery •    Which flour blends Heather uses •    Opening a second bakery as well as a lifestyle shop •    What gluten-free product presented the biggest challenge •    Book debut: writing The Flour Craft Bakery & Café Cookbook •    Heather's best baking tip and advice to aspiring pros •    And much more!