By Salomé Gómez-Upegui and Annalise Mabe
Against the backdrop of Tampa Bay’s evolving culinary scene, the bakers at Water Street Tampa’s Market at EDITION Bakery and Boulon Bakery are gaining recognition for their commitment to blending tradition with innovation. Meanwhile, Dawn Konofaos, home baker at Alèvri & Co., is crafting “poetry you can eat,” (earning her two New York Times mentions); Gabby Duncan of Gabby Bakes was just named a 2023 Black Kitchen Initiative Recipient; and Jade Yelvington of Elevenses is drawing new customers from miles away with her ingenious events and niche themed menus.
Popping by to visit any of these sweet spots would not be a mistake, and hopefully, you may find for yourself why these Tampa Bay bakers are having a moment.
Boulon Bakery
Nestled within the gorgeous French bistro, Boulon Brasserie, Boulon Bakery promises customers an authentic French Patisserie experience by way of America, offering everything from coffee and tea to pastries and sandwiches that can be enjoyed al fresco at their charming outdoor seating area or ordered to go for a stroll around the neighborhood.
Naturally, in the spirit of an authentic French patisserie, Boulon takes great pride in its assortment of handcrafted croissants, baked to golden perfection. These croissants, renowned for their flaky layers and rich flavor, are complemented by an array of other treats such as turnovers and pain au chocolat. It’s no wonder these offerings have earned a loyal following among patrons drawn to Boulon’s commitment to quality and traditional baking techniques.
A cake from Gabby Bakes. Gabby Duncan of Gabby Bakes poses with her creation.
Whether you’re an early riser seeking the perfect breakfast pastry to start your day, a mid-morning snacker looking to indulge in a delectable treat, or someone who enjoys pairing a cup of coffee with dessert right after lunchtime, Boulon Bakery has something to satisfy every craving.
In addition to their many pastries, Boulon offers special treats for beloved four-legged friends, including freshly baked dog biscuits or tasty pup cups to ensure furry friends enjoy delights alongside their owners. What’s more, a portion of proceeds from all dog treats benefits the Humane Society of Tampa—a testament to their commitment to animal care and protection.
Gabby Bakes
Gabby Duncan of Gabby Bakes just opened her Seminole Heights baking studio and stays busy with custom-order, vegan vintage-style cakes (think neon Marie Antionette plus balletcore and zodiac, disco ball fun), Indie Flea market days, and walk-up pop-ups which are drumming up long lines.
Her baked goods and her bright pink and red brand are pretty iconic with some fans and customers now referring to her as “the pink girl.” To say she works hard is a bit of an understatement; her books are full months ahead, she seems to always be at a local market (rain or shine), and she was just named a 2023 Black Kitchen Initiative recipient.
Well on her way, find her at @gabbybakesllc on Instagram, or plan to visit a walk-up pop-up at her bright pink brick and mortar.
Alèvri & Co.
Just minutes away, Dawn Konofaos, the vegan baker behind Alèvri & Co., is deep into crafting “poetry you can eat,” she says, for people with an appreciation for art and design. Twice featured in the New York Times, she’s known for her stunning ethereal wedding cakes, freeform sugar wafer paper flowers, fondant ruffles, and signature palette-knife technique. Her unique flavors and baked goods—Citrus Golden “Honey,” Strawberry Milk, Ode to Stone Fruit, and Smoky Chocolate, to name a few—are inspired by music and poetry and are made with all her intention and care.
Konofaos doesn’t ever sit too still. She’s currently heading up a new pop-up concept (@sourdough_heaux), baking light and airy sourdough donuts for those who tune in to these special, limited drops. Also, ahead for Konofaos are more pre-order cake slice sampling box opportunities and fun cake social events. Follow her at @alevri.co on Instagram for more baked magic and beauty.
Market at EDITION
Across the street, within the Market at EDITION restaurant, there’s another bakery committed to excellence and innovation. The coffee bar, as is it known at the hotel, was first conceptualized as a classic pastry shop for breakfast takeaway for those wanting a quick pastry to enjoy with a hot beverage; however, the quality is so fine, their offerings have quickly evolved, and now include full cakes and cakes by the slice as well.
The Market at EDITION is not to be missed.
Laurent Lelarge serves as the senior baker at the EDITION hotel, where he brings along with him his expertise as an in-house pastry chef. With a background rooted in authentic French baking, Lelarge ensures that all croissants and breads at the Market maintain traditional French flavors and techniques. His dedication to high quality and attention to detail contribute to the bakery’s reputation for delivering exquisite pastries that reflect the essence of French baking.
“We have a fantastic kitchen that’s specifically devoted to the pastries we offer,” says Byron Halliburton, Director of Beverage at The Tampa EDITION. “When it comes to seasons, we’ll always have items appropriate for that time of the year. So, for Easter we’ll have carrot cakes as a little whimsical way to think about bunnies and, of course, during Christmas we’ll bring in some warm spices for our desserts.”
But keeping things fresh and interesting for customers is the real priority of the Market at EDITION’s team. “We also have what we call ‘the Laurent special,’ which is whatever our chef has decided inspires him that week. Those items vary as his winds change, so it’s wonderful because almost every time that you come in, you’ll have the chance to try something surprising and new,” Halliburton adds.
In today’s increasingly eco-conscious world, the importance of sustainable practices in bakeries cannot be overstated. From sourcing ingredients responsibly to minimizing food waste, embracing sustainability not only benefits the environment but also fosters goodwill with customers who value ethical business practices.
Shortwave Coffee’s Jordan Johnson.
In this sense, the Market at EDITION is making a conscious effort to forgo the use of plastic and opt for paper instead, choosing paper napkins, paper bags, and paper straws. They’re also paying close attention to avoiding food waste by centralizing all their needs into one pastry kitchen that supplies the entire hotel, which allows them to consolidate ingredients and distribute everything they make accordingly.
On a similar note, the bakery is adamant about supporting local vendors as a path to fostering vibrant communities and supporting Tampa’s local economy. Sourcing ingredients or products locally supports regional farmers and producers and reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation.
“We’re also very conscious about using and offering local and organic products, when possible,” Halliburton says. “We have a wonderful selection of smoothies and juices available, for instance, and they’re all local products which is great.”
Shortwave Coffee
Nestled between Rapid7 and BODYROK is Shortwave Coffee, a specialty coffee and pastry shop offering fresh takes on coffee classics and in-house made baked goods for both savory and sweet fans. At the helm is Jordan Johnson, who brings with her six years of French baking experience and tons of creativity. Having been with Water Street’s Shortwave since its inception about a year and a half ago, Johnson has helped dream up the extensive menu from scratch, including some coffee shop staples like cortados and traditional croissants while also introducing more elevated beverages and pastries like their Mint Mayday (picture a mojito iced latte) and cardamom pistachio cake.
“We make all our pastries from scratch daily,” Johnson says, “and with that, it gives us some flexibility in creating items, giving us a chance to really have fun when testing new recipes.”
Amid the bustling and diverse array of options in the Bay, the bake shops nestled within and around Water Street Tampa are emerging as undisputed crowd favorites.
Johnson notes that she’s always on a mission to incorporate gluten free and vegan pastries as well since these can sometimes be more difficult to find. Visitors can find one of their best sellers, the gluten free cinnamon roll (on the menu daily), along with breakfast sandwiches on sourdough, cheese danishes, coffee cake, lemon blueberry muffins, and more.
Ultimately, amid the bustling and diverse array of bakery options of Tampa Bay, the bake shops nestled within and around the vibrant enclave of Water Street Tampa are emerging as undisputed crowd favorites. And, with a focus on sustainability and a dedication to crafting exceptional baked goods, these bakers are making their mark on the local food landscape by incorporating sustainable practices such as using vegan ingredients, sourcing locally, and minimizing food waste. They’re not only raising the bar for quality but also contributing to the neighborhood’s reputation as a hub for culinary excellence.
Elevenses
Jade Yelvington grew up watching her uber-talented, pastry chef mom bake and decorate wedding cakes at Bern’s, but never thought she’d pursue baking professionally herself. But her latte art and curiosity for quirky flavor pairings led her to open up shop with Elevenses in Ybor, just minutes from the Water Street area.
The colorful creations of Jade Yelvington’s Elevenses.
“I wanted to create the kind of space/menu/coffee program I’d been looking for in Tampa, but has been hard to find,” Yelvington says.
One visit to Elevenses and you’ll be taken by bright colors, surprising flavors, and spots of joy dotted around the shop walls. As for inspiration? She finds it everywhere.
“I basically grew up in the food industry, so I’ve been around kitchens my whole life,” she says. “I get bored easily and am always searching for something new, something that makes me ‘feel’ some sort of way.”
For her menus, Yelvington likes to play with nostalgic cakes, adding a more refined technique where quality and flavor reign supreme. She’s also been an avid reader and fan of movies and TV her whole life, so many of her creations are inspired by what she would imagine a character would want to make or eat.
Staying thoroughly true to herself, her niche themed events and pop-ups have made her a bit Instagram famous, going viral after content creators were drawn to her limited-time Gilmore Girls themed offerings where nods to Luke’s Diner and Stars Hollow abounded.
Elevenses’ one year anniversary celebration was fittingly Lord of the Rings themed (Yelvington’s cat is named Gandalf), and included offerings like Bilbo’s Birthday Cake, a matcha carrot cake with cinnamon cream cheese icing; Mordor, a lavender cloud latte; and One Ring pretzels—ring-shaped salted pretzels with the Prancing Pony’s famous ale cheese sauce to name a few.
Follow Yelvington @elevensesco for more delightful creations popping out of the oven each week.