Things Bakers Know: The King Arthur Baking Podcast
By King Arthur Baking Company
<p>Join King Arthur’s Jessica Battilana and David Tamarkin as they explore every corner of the world of baking. Each episode dives deep into a different baked good — its history and lore, tips and tricks, trends and takes — and they'll always leave time to answer baking questions from listeners. Along the way they chat with the best bakers in America to get their expert advice.</p>
8 episodes
All Episodes
Avoiding Structural Failures Through Controlled Challah Proofing
To make perfect challah, you must resist the urge to rush. If you prioritize the pre-shape and trust the proofing process rather than watching the clock, you will prevent structural tears and achieve the soft, consistent texture of professional loaves.
View Episode Notes →
Prioritizing Texture Over Geometry for Consistent Pancake Results
Perfect pancakes are not about how they look, but about balancing trade-offs. If you stop worrying about making them perfect circles and focus on controlling your heat, you can stop throwing away the first pancake and get crispy, well-cooked results every time.
View Episode Notes →
Applying Systems Thinking to Achieve Consistent Apple Baking
Get professional results by treating apple desserts as dynamic systems rather than static recipes. Master moisture management and variety blending to eliminate common failures like soggy crusts and inconsistent textures.
View Episode Notes →
Managing Systemic Trade--offs in Chocolate Cake Architecture
Master the systemic trade-offs of baking by moving beyond recipes. Learn why room temperature is the secret to moisture and how understanding structural chemistry, not just ingredients, guarantees a perfect, consistent cake every time.
View Episode Notes →
Mastering Baking Through Systems Thinking and Ingredient Mechanics
Mastering the kitchen is about managing ingredient variables instead of memorizing recipes. When you understand the mechanics behind each step, you can troubleshoot as you go and bake with intention.
View Episode Notes →
Building Competitive Advantage Through Operational Complexity and Infrastructure
Operational friction builds a competitive advantage. When businesses move away from efficient, overnight mass production toward real-time, small-batch baking, they create durable brands. These brands value unique customer experiences more than the technical perfection of a commodity.
View Episode Notes →
Disrupting Stagnant Markets by Prioritizing Process Over Regional Mythology
When a brand has been around for a long time, its reputation can hide the fact that its quality is slipping, especially in markets that have stopped growing. By moving away from strict regional traditions and focusing instead on refining their production processes, modern makers are shaking up the bagel industry. They are showing that innovation is more effective than relying on old stories.
View Episode Notes →
How Aesthetic Dogma Compromises Functional Utility in Craft Baking
The obsession with open-crumb bread creates a systemic trap where aesthetic signaling overrides functional utility. Learn how to distinguish between craft as a marketing benchmark and craft as a scalable, practical product.
View Episode Notes →