Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmanuel Garsd.
Emmanuel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved to the US from Argentina in 2002 (there’s more to that story but it’s long haha). I was working in tech when I made my first sourdough starter in my best friends backyard in Del Mar around 2013. I’ve had this starter ever since. A lot of people who had tried my bread over the years had told me I should sell it and in 2017 after my mom passed away I decided I wanted to get into a farmers market. My mom was a creative force and very involved in the art world. I like to think she would’ve been both worried and proud of what I’ve managed to do. I finally got into the Del Mar farmers market in 2024.
It’s really a labor of love, I use the best organic ingredients and I do everything (including mixing) by hand. Which for making 50-70 loaves is a lot of work. I really just love sharing the bread and selling it is just an excuse for connecting with the community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a lot of work. I actually had partners when I started this and was selling really high end avocado toasts. We had a filet mignon toast. It ended up being too much work for them and they backed out which left the whole operation on me. I have a full time job during the week so the extra 20 hours or so of work that doing this adds is quite taxing. All this said it’s so worth it to see people’s reactions when they try my bread.
The hardest part is keeping things hand made as I’ve scaled. It’s quite physical but I’ve been able to maintain the high standard I believe in.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work in tech for an aviation startup (aero.com) and I love my job as a technology director there. That said I think I’m most proud of having bootstrapped this micro bakery I run on the weekends.
I would have never guessed I would be so extroverted at the market but I think a lot of people love seeing me there. I’m fairly sure the bread is almost a secondary thing.
I think what sets me apart is my attitude as well as my dedication to making the best bread. I’m really hyper specialized on the sourdoughs and making them as tasty and healthy as possible.
To be honest I think there are a lot of incredible bakers in San Diego and I would be remiss to not mention them. I feel undeserving of attention when places like Lucky Bolt and Mi Pan Bakery are out there.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I think The Prophet, The Myth of Sisyphus, Meditations (Aurelius), The Way of Integrity and the Tao Te Ching have really guided me through some pretty turbulent times.
I live by tenants captured in these. Mainly that the main failing one can have is not doing what they believe they should. That we are all part of the same world. And to focus on the things we can control and let go of what we can’t.
The paper menagerie by Ken Liu hits very close to home on how it felt coming to the US.
My sister made a podcast about Messi but really our lives coming to the US too. It’s called La Ultima Copa. She works for NPR and is one of my best friends.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/manusandiego
