What It Takes to Run One of the Best Bakeries in the U.S. - The Experts

Wayfarer Bread in San Diego is proud to be a neighborhood bakery that produces only small batches of bread and pastries. After 16 years of developing her craft at top bakeries, owner Crystal White opened Wayfarer in 2018. By keeping the operation small, White and her team can give the dough the attention it needs, making some of the best baguettes, sourdough, croissants, and pastries in the U.S.
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Credits:
Producer: Daniel Geneen
Directors: Daniel Geneen, Murilo Ferreira
Camera: Murilo Ferreira, John Simms
Editor: Josh Dion
Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
Director of Production: Stefania Orrù
Supervising Producer, Development: Gabriella Lewis
Audience Engagement: Frances Dumlao
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[@gamimcguire8222]

That’s my son making those croissants! This bakery is amazing. Nothing beats those English Muffins!

[@hannahpumpkins4359]

That's awesome! You can definitely be proud of him - those croissants look amazingly delicious - just perfect!

[@boohere2]

Okay. Explain to me why she says "CORNER" when walking into a room?

[@fonzareli9619]

@@boohere2so others know shes coming and to avoid bumping into eachother

[@allysonhomayounkhah2432]

⁠@@boohere2so people know she is coming around the corner with a big cart….

[@laurants]

If he can keep up with her, he's in a good apprenticeship.

[@phucyfillk5535]

One of my favorite trends in food businesses recently is people being openly hostile to unnecessary expansion that would hurt their product. Love to see it.

[@JS-nf1sn]

Me too. There is a philosophy in business that if you're not growing your dyeing, but I'd argue that a business that's twice as big usually is a completely different animal and often loses what made it great in the first place.

[@AmallieGames]

I love this too. Here in Austin, Texas we have several local businesses that have started expanding beyond our city because of their success locally, and it's amazing how negatively it has impacted their quality. Just stay in the community that loves your business and be a local success!

[@KCJbomberFTW]

That’s all of San Diego

[@mattnatwhitt5082]

@@AmallieGamesthat's because Austin food is overrated. The food stayed the same it's just that nobody wants white people tacos from Austin.

[@vinny4149]

All about money relax

[@ivancastillo5628]

She explained everything in detail while being in full hustle mode!!

[@NickShepherd1]

would happily watch a netflix series about this woman and her bakery

[@TheChristianFairy]

It’d be super cool to watch something about her training a new baker or trying out new recipes

[@stuart.whiting]

Dang, she is IMPRESSIVE! I'd definitely watch a long-form deep-dive on Wayfarer.

[@sakuraiblossom128]

this lady works HARD!

[@AN-fv2zv]

For the camera. She deff hires immigrants to do this daily while she chills

[@gackerman99]

this isn't hard. aeronautical engineering is hard. baking is not hard. just doing a lot of it doesn't make it any harder.

[@allistar34]

@@gackerman99 uh manual labor is hard

[@Andre-Nader]

@@gackerman99it takes a simple person not to appreciate someone who has mastered their craft.

[@gackerman99]

@@Andre-Nader didn't say I don't appreciate what they do, I'm saying it's not hard.

[@josephcamera7657]

(I type this while actively eating one of their baguettes) This video didn't even touch on their incredible pizzas! Rotating monthly menu of meat and veggie pies with ingredients sourced from local farms that are always absolutely delicious. It's a date night favorite to grab one and walk two blocks over to watch the sunset over the ocean while enjoying the pizza.

[@piplup10203854]

😮 They got pizzas! Why didn’t they show that! Maybe another video 👀 because that would be awesome to see! That sounds amazing! Local farms sourced for ingredients and a meat or veggie pie sign me up for a veggie one please 😊

[@L.Spencer]

I thought I knew a lot of bakeries in SD, but hadn't heard of this place somehow. Cool.

[@laurum1318]

I’ll be there!!! 🏃‍♀️

[@ak-northman726]

Gotta love the smile as she’s baking. She’s in the right place doing the right thing.

[@judegoldstein64]

as a home baker who usually bakes one loaf at a time, maximum two, i am in awe of how crystal moves through her morning producing such brilliant loaves. and yes, kudos to her for keeping it small, authentic and of the highest quality. we need much more of that.

[@cstar54]

I’ve never seen someone work so hard and do such a great job of explaining what she’s doing and about her business!!!

[@richardf6932]

Bakery work is no joke. This is everyday. Amazing work.....

[@dannyzuehlsdorf3697]

No joke?! What is the baker's favorite Beatles song? Loaf is all you knead

[@FemiNelson-sb1em]

​@@dannyzuehlsdorf3697 Hahaha, good one n so fooney! 😊 "Isa"

[@joe1882]

I am blessed to work a minutes walk from Wayfarer. Always a line out the door. Bread is clearly amazing...Weekly top notch sandwiches with local ingredients and pizzas that change monthly on the weekends. This place is no joke. I always grab a croissant with a meat sandwich. If you are ever in Bird Rock, check this place out!

[@DannyRockGod]

I feel like this vid ruined it for us locals! Lines are longer than usual now and they sell out of everything so quickly 😢

[@rilkeanheart]

i met crystal YEARS ago when she was working at proof in LA -- such a bright spirit, always had passion for her craft. so awesome to see her getting props on eater!

[@Lawman212]

She worked at Proof too? She's really spent her time at the best places.

[@larrycanepa]

Blown away by not only the technical quality and ability, but the love and passion for what they're all doing. Crystal is a genius!

[@Johnny-Too-Bad]

I've just gain 10X the level of respect I already had for exceptional bakeries like this. there should be one in everyone's neighborhood!

[@kevinpantaleon3919]

I was FIXED to this video for its entirety. This woman has PASSION for baking and it’s visibly seen with her bread. Cannot wait to try her bakeries art one day. 😊

[@matthewkang]

Truly a destination worthy bakery. Crystal is such an incredible baker but also a generous and kind person. I first met her years ago when worked at Proof Bakery in LA. So proud of her journey and what she's established in La Jolla. Now please open a bakery in LA!

[@proudhavenot]

I've done this, it's such a structured process, one slip and lookout! I don't think customers fully understand the level of work that goes into it. She is amazing..

[@exklizive]

It’s great to see my hometown’s small shop get the recognition they deserve!

[@redbarchetta8782]

Moral of the story is, "Don't get greedy, live and enjoy life."

[@BigboiiTone]

Too bad ameri society punishes you severely for doing any of those

[@kckillakrack9714]

And look good for the cameras while illegal immigrants do all the work for ya

[@jacobkummer2067]

@@kckillakrack9714 How funny you are...

[@user-ej3sm9fk3n]

​@@kckillakrack9714oh my goddd

[@chewymaster54]

and make sure you open your business in the richest part of the the city

[@onlyinparadise4613]

She’s badass! Her croissants are amazing: flaky and buttery delicious. Highly recommend this place to anyone visiting SD. My favorite bakery in SD.

[@proudlakerfan]

San Diegans who live near that bakery are incredibly lucky to have a passionate baker like her making their breads everyday. The crunch on that baguette is amazing.

[@caspiankitchen]

It's in the Bird Rock neighborhood and there's always a long line for their goodies.

[@Lexlugr]

​@@caspiankitchenI could've sworn I picked up their sourdough at my SD Costco. I stumbled on it and it was so good!

[@savagecabbage553]

Yeah it's in a rich part of town. But worth the trip.

[@bonaface]

Uh idiot this is not in San Diego honey.

[@adamcoe]

I wanna live near it just so I can smell it every day. Must be unreal to be downwind of that place.

[@westcoastspartan1528]

Love that she is so passionate and what a positive attitude

[@jhasan7325]

Opening her own after working for others a long time, including for Chad of Tartine,great & humble guy,is truly a reward of her long journey. It's also true,that holding a properly baked bread,still piping hot, hearing the beautiful crackling sound of the caressed crust,breaking it & see the awesome crumbs,smelling the aroma....not many is as satisfying

[@joseperezjr2278]

San Diego here I come!!! Crystals passion is evident and I love the idea of not growing, staying local and just focus on producing the best bread. So inspiring!

[@johnlopez9154]

Been enjoying craft breads all over the world for 60 years and Wayfarer in Bird Rock is the best I’ve ever eaten. A true maestro at her craft. Bravo!

[@tomgio1]

Around 630 she mentions the ambient temperature and how that informs when to make some adjustments. The variables involved are astounding.

[@Lu_Cidtrip]

I love her! I love this! someone give this place it's own show!

[@deadcardriving]

Wayfarer is a special place. Go try everything! And their pizzas are also insanely delicious.

[@BigboiiTone]

That's nice they're good but i wouldn't say they're mentally ill lol

[@magnumxlpi]

​@BigboiiTone were you trying to make a joke about "special"? Because that means mentally handicapped not ill...

[@BigboiiTone]

@@magnumxlpi No, you just didn't understand my statement.

[@JeffO-]

@@BigboiiTone You don't understand the difference between mental illness and intellectual disability.

[@ihatekpeng]

This is my absolute favorite bakery in the country. So glad they are getting some wonderful press!!!

[@CarlinTran]

Same!

[@user-uh1li4ni2n]

My Aunt Pat started Oasis Bread Back in the 70's when she moved from Grand Rapids MI to Escondido California. I believe if you live in San Diego you know how wonderful this bread is. It all started from my Aunt Pat rest in peace.

[@Gatecrasher1]

Isn't this what the American work ethic should be? And for her it's absolutely rewarding

[@p.ipebomb]

Again, the suburbs have zero small restaurants or women cooking food in the neighborhoods like other countries. Gotta change that

[@CitiesSkyGay]

I worked in a local bakery back when I was in college. The amount of work and dedication that goes into making all the bread loaves is very intense. The part where this owner goes to the bakery before sunrise is definitely not the exception, this is rather common for a lot of local bakeries. Working in a bakery gave me a much greater appreciation for the bakers

[@richardkroll2269]

I'm 6,000 miles away trying to bake bread and almost giving up. I wish I could get up each morning and go into this shop when it opens and buy a loaf of this one day and that another. Amazing to see her adding ingredients without measuring and checking the dough by feel. Lots of hard work.

[@sr.6816]

@richardkroll2269 Have you watched youtube videos about how to make a sourdough starter? It will take 2-3 weeks to get it going. Don't give up, you will bake your own bread soon! Suggestion: Watch Carla Bertolucci's videos, that is how I learned! She has several videos on how to make a sourdough starter, bread and some other things. She also has a book. Unfortunately she sadly passed away about two years ago. She was an amazing woman that started a business, now run by her daughters. Hope this helps!

[@piplup10203854]

Holy moly. This lady works HARD! Dude this workload is crazy! You got to be built different to do this. Very inspiring and very impressive 😊 each of those loaves look amazing! I wish I could try the sourdough bread.

[@catherineng9569]

I’m watching this in Singapore. I love her and her baked goods! I wish we have people who keep things ‘small’ but top grade. No need for expansion and expansion (ie greed). Passion and hard work I truly admire. I’d LOVE those breads! I love bread and pastries. When she crushed the baguette my mouth Salivated!

[@fonzareli9619]

Singapore 😮

[@soniatriana9091]

Crystal is definitely a SUPER WOMAN!! As are her equally dedicated early morning bakers!! These people are all amazing talented, important, & impressive!!

[@michaelc.6577]

Amazing Crystal! I remember when you were working with NaYoung at Proof Bakery and then with Chad at Tartine. You have clearly mastered the craft!

[@ArielK1987]

The smell you get when you enter any bakery. Is just as good as the baked good your about to have.

[@applegal3058]

Yes! I baked bread yesterday, and it was torture waiting for it to cool before devouring a hunk of it with butter!

[@JesseCohen]

I live near a craft baker in Freestone Ca, Wildflower. Sticky bread and seasonal scones are once a month or so treat, but the smell is a mandatory preamble to the amazingness that is to follow. You can’t have the latter, without the former.

[@kaimoto65]

I will never again complain about paying $9 for a sourdough batard. Also, been to this place many times and their english muffins are out of control.

[@disophisis]

Bakers are seriously badass.

[@phantomframe]

I’m excited to visit her bakery the next time I’m in SD! I love the detail she provided about the doughs, the steam, the baking…she works really hard and loves what she does and it shows.

[@maryse8]

Mad props to Crystal and Crew at Wayfarer Bread! I can smell the deliciousness through my computer screen!

[@LebenUSA]

I've been to your place a couple times and your bread is better than any bakery in Germany.

[@arenkai]

12:17 As a French, I expect to be invited to dinner before someone pulls out a baguette crunch this orgasmic

[@karlanderson4619]

it made me melt!

[@BruinsPastaSauce]

I love bread. baking products are just amazing. seeing this amount of work go into it is just amazing. if i ever find myself on the west coast this will be my first stop.

[@dharmaram7527]

I have much more respect now for a bakery like hers working all by hand. It’s a true labor of love.

[@davidmata4786]

I absolutely love her attention to detail and the love she has for perfecting her craft. It's also commendable that she's committed to perfecting her business without pressing to expand her business. She's a rare breed for sure and I'm glad I stumbled on this video as my GF and I will be at her door very very soon.

[@rbewhe1222]

what a master of her craft, very inspiring

[@bunndumm]

I always love when they chefs who are actually highly knowledgeable and don't just have knowledge based on experience. She understands the science behind the baking. So many chefs just thrown around words like "Magic" and "Love" as the explanation for everything, cause they themselves don't understand, they just know from experience that if you do things one way they turn out good and if you do then another way they turn out bad.

[@healthyself345]

Enjoyed this, really admire someone like her to go out on her own and do it well.

[@foxdogsourdough]

That was beautiful! Thank you. I love all of my sourdough breads that I make.

[@ricardorodriguez5004]

Thanks for sharing her story.

[@Socalnik66]

I’ve been driving past her bakery for years and had no idea what I was missing. Definitely going to have to stop by and try something, anything. It all looks delicious. From this vid, you can tell she is truly passionate about her craft.

[@kevintownsend3840]

As a person who wants to open a restaurant and provide freshly baked breads this helped 💯 % thank you for posting this

[@tomawen5916]

Absolutely amazed and impressed. Makes me want to drive 3000 miles from Wisconsin to San Diego and check out this bakery and try all their wares! Great video!

[@MC-lw8dh]

I went to high school with Crystal-very, very sweet person-so happy for her success!

[@KCYT2010]

It's so wonderful to see how baking becomes your life! She learned from the best and no doubt will have tremendous success and scrumptious bread !

[@anto_91]

Whichever editor dropped that breakbeat background music is the goat

[@jameshoopes6467]

Always great to see someone doing what they so clearly love.

[@JtJohnson89]

Blown away that she did this by HERSELF for so long

[@mjkelly100]

It’s a delight to watch someone who is a master at what they do and seem to really enjoy doing it.

[@nederlanditis8154]

You want the greatest invention in food to be in hands like these. I love the security signal she gives whenever she enters another room ("corner").

[@dinckelman]

The best kind of business. Honest work, humble but really good, and not seeking infinite growth

[@dennisboyd1712]

WOW : What a woman, what a Baker, what an entrepreneur, what an Artist !

[@bookerdaniels1401]

Such a great series!

[@eater]

Thanks for watching!

[@EcomCarl]

Amazing dedication to the craft of baking! 🥖 The focus on small batches and meticulous attention to detail truly sets this bakery apart and ensures top-quality products.

[@travisbalthasar9544]

So impressive! She knows every minute to each stage of the process, incredible

[@dinawhite5175]

Wow outstanding video I wish all bakeries were exactly like this one !! Such hard work very rewarding

[@julietphillips1991]

I want one of everything! If only all bread sold was like this!

[@TomatoWithARifle]

love her enthusiasm and hard work.

[@taz9609]

she is an actual HERO!

[@elliethemali5180]

Fascinating craft. Truly a master of her craft when she incorporates environmental factors such as the ambient temperature to make adjustments to her creations.

[@Anthony-bd3jn]

the shot with the bread rack loading in the over is incredible

[@leticiagomez-young8836]

Love their strawberry scones and the baguette, yummy! So good. Amazing job that they are doing. Thank you

[@bufordclemente8375]

She is on it!!! Love she’s very strategic and scientific about it!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 kudos Awesome

[@Shelfighter]

Respect to this woman getting up everyday to do this. Excited to try this one day

[@Sikester3812]

Excellent job. Been in a bakery 36 yrs next month. Large scale at my job but definitely beautiful bread made by you and your team.

[@AngryManSki]

Absolutely love the way she teaches. Guess I should have become a baker.

[@maximum.p]

Happy for you guys that you finally get some good bread in the US.

[@francoutah]

Check out: Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis. It's named after San Francisco for a good reason. Candida milleri yeast is endemic as well.☮️

[@Duke_of_Prunes]

There are good bakeries all across the country. They are just not as common in isolated small towns, 120 miles from the nearest city.

[@spinningdorito]

Love her passion, will definitely check this place out if I ever get to SD!

[@GregCurtin45]

Thank you Crystal and staff of #WayfairBread for sharing your processes with us. Everything looked amazing and I love the additions to your croissants. Thanks to the entire team at #eater for the great cinematography, editing, and background music -- as always the team does an outstanding job highlighting the small business owner.

[@danthilman2394]

Wayfarer* ?

[@tantan6998]

Visited SD a few months ago, this place is on another level

[@toesinthewarmsand3724]

It’s inspiring to watch someone love what they do that much! Next time in SD. We are so coming in!

[@jonathanm9436]

I really enjoyed this doco! Amazing commitment and organisation and precision by the whole, so well-oiled machine that is this bakery. Love it.

[@Dahliawoman]

I wish I had 10% of her energy! She has dedication!

[@MisoSorryyy]

Crystal does such a great job explaining EVERYTHING! I feel like she's just feeding us all these cheat codes.

[@CarlinTran]

This is my favorite bakery! Would love a follow up video about their world class pastries

[@mojacob5106]

I salute you M'aa'm. If we just had more people like you in America!!! God bless you.

[@BuddyDanger]

You see those cakes!!!! I’m in love with Her!!!!! She is AMAZING!!!!

[@surfingsandiego92109]

This lady is a master of her craft.

[@dpie4859]

What a wonderful woman. Intelligent, good a explaining, hard working!

[@lunab695]

I’m excited to try this bakery it’s so close to home!!

[@jonathangoddard7561]

Awesome makes me want to take a trip to eat at her bakery. Crystal did such a great job explaining the process very entertaining.

[@blueberryblues3365]

Great video and I wish that bakery was near me. What a hard worker Crystal is. Everything looks so good.

[@camuchanomellini903]

WOO!!!!! IM SO MUCH MORE GRATEFUL FOR MY BREAD NOW💖💖💖 I did not know it took this much work to make bread THANK YOU 💖💖💖

[@Jewelsfaith]

Total Respect! Have to go try it out!!

[@VinsonMotas]

I wish you many years of consistency and timely refinement. Enjoy!

[@franciasantiago959]

I live in San Diego, everyday you discover something new:)

[@nickbezmaterny5567]

This woman is an inspiration.