Zak the Baker Keeps It Kosher

In Miami’s artsy Wynwood neighborhood, there’s a colorfully painted building that has people lining up around the block. Customers wait patiently for bagels, guava-cheese pastries and other treats. But not on Saturdays. The bake shop known as Zak the Baker is a kosher bakery that closes every week for the Jewish Sabbath. But the owner, 36-year-old Zak Stern, is not as religious as you might think. So why would a self-described “non-religious Jew” open a kosher bakery in the first place? Zak explained during our recent conversation. He also shared why he trimmed his trademark beard and why he has no plans to expand Zak the Baker to other cities.Hungry for more? Check out these related episodes from our house of carbs: Is Bread Life? It is at Born and Bread Bakehouse! Michelle Bernstein’s Jewish-Latin ‘Mishmosh’ of a Life Sourdough 101