Every few months as millers we must sharpen our millstones. What originally drew me to baking bread was the tangible nature of the craft. In a world full of screens and abstractions, hand mixing flour and water to yield food still feels like one of the most real things one can do. Yet each stage of baking has even more elemental acts beneath it. The wheat must first grow in a field. The grain must be separated from the chaff, and ground between two stones.
Over time as the stones interact they become more polished. The more you mill, the more you must redress. This is a true rite of passage for the miller. The runner stone must get flipped to start the day, meaning you lift half a ton with a crane. The feeling is overwhelming the first time. When reality sets in that no one else is coming to get this right, you read the manual a few more times, keep your millwright on speed dial, and get to work.
Once the stone is flipped the geometry of the mill is fully visible. There’s a certain reverence in running your fingers along the furrows, carved in precise patterns that radiate outward like a compass rose, grinding the grain and guiding it out of the mill.
Historically this was done with a hammer and chisel. Now we use an air hammer. It’s like reverse sanding. You mark the smoothest areas with a crayon, work over the lands and furrows evenly, then rake a work lamp low across the surface to reveal the high spots. The mill gets assembled, run for a few minutes, then taken apart again. Repeat until the stone is right.
The dust is silica so respirators and goggles are part of the day. Two people work the stone together, one hammering, one vacuuming the surface in real time, both bent close, reading it like a text. Stone dulls, and someone has to sharpen it.
-Jon
@proofbread has been providing us with croissants and pain au chocolat for the past week, and we love supporting fellow @downtownmesa small businesses! 🥐
There's something so classic about a plain cappuccino and a croissant, if you haven't tried the pairing in a while, now's your chance 😍
@350baked will be back from Japan in a week, and we'll return to familiar deliciousness!
“The Bakery” at the Gilbert Farmers Market is looking pretty incredible today! 🥐 From artisan breads to sweet treats, these vendors put a ton of time, skill, and heart into every item they bring to market. Getting all of these goodies ready is no small task, so show these hardworking bakers & makers some love this morning, and maybe take home a few carbs while you’re at it.
“The Bakery” Vendors:
@barriobagelandslice@bennyblancotortillas (GF)
@bundtappetite (GF)
@cookiekarmacookies (GF)
@duckys_pineapplebananabread (GF)
@lelesweetsbakery (GF)
@mrnelsonscookies@noblebread@phxdoughbox@proofbread@rollandrisebagels@sonoranswirls@valleyketo (GF)
@van_friendly (GF) (V)
•••🍯•••
Gilbert Farmers Market
“The Foodie Market”
•••📆•••
WHEN: Every Saturday Morning
OPEN RAIN OR SHINE!☀️🌧️🌦️
NEW HOURS: 7AM-11AM
•••📍•••
WHERE: Chandler-Gilbert Community College
•••🚫•••
🐾 CGCC Pet Policy Reminder: Pets are not permitted on CGCC property or at the market. Service Animals Only: ADA compliant
•••✨•••
#az #arizona #chandleraz #gilbertaz #arizonafarmersmarket farmers market near me, events near me, arizona farmers market, gilbert farmers market, chandler farmers market, chandler events, gilbert events, things to do in chandler, things to do in gilbert
Coffee. Conversation. Neighbors. Your next poolside read.
Enjoy the earlier walks, grab a scooby snack for the pup and a new book from @whats_your_story_mobile
HEY HEY!! i figured it was time for a new reintroduction since it’s been a few years and i have a lot of new faces on here!!
i’m hannah!! and here’s a few things about me 👇🏽
•i am 21 years old, born and raised in Arizona, and just moved back to Arizona 2 weeks ago from Louisiana! i’m so excited to begin this new journey here in my home state as i really started my business when i moved to Louisiana about 3 years ago!
•the Lord is the center of this business and my life. without Him i would not be where i am today. i have a lot of favorite bible verses, but the one that has been really real to me lately is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.” it was a big step of faith for me the move back to Arizona, but i’m trusting He will provide all that i need! my beautiful bible is from @lovealldesignco !
•i am a BIG time coffee lover and realized it truly brings me joy after trying to give it up for a week🤪 one of my favorite coffee spots here in phoenix is @lightheartcoffeeshop !! if you’re ever in town, i highly reccommend stopping in to see their shop and get a coffee!!!
•i have recently fallen in love with making sourdough bread!! i want to start experimenting more in the near future so be on the lookout for that!! shoutout to @proofbread for the beautiful sourdough loaf we used for these photos!!!
•i’m obsessed with @traderjoes and would go there every single day if i could haha! they have the BEST snacks (specifically the dark chocolate pb cups and the chili lime tortilla chips) 🌶️ 🍋🟩
from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for being here and supporting this little dream of mine! i feel so lucky to meet and connect with new people and be a part of their exciting times in life! 🤍🤍
shoutout to @sarahannphotoco for my dream branding photos!! sarah took my senior photos 4 years ago where i told her i wanted to be a photographer, so this was a full circle moment!! all photos taken by her, edited by me🤍
#azphotographer #arizonaweddingphotographer #azgradphotographer #couplephotographer
Still need a Mother's Day gift? Head to Downtown Mesa for the perfect find!
From flowers and candles, home decor, sweet treats, and local boutiques, we put together a quick gift guide full of mom favorites ✨
Moms - which one are you most excited for?
#downtownmesaaz #downtownmesa #uniquelylocal #mothersdaygiftguide
When you’re new to the neighborhood finding the best spots to eat is always a MUST and Jeroen is letting us in on his top 3 (well 5 🫣) have you been to any of them yet?
1 @proofbread
2. @worthtakeaway
3. @mainburgersaz
Honorable Mention:
- @espiritumesa
- @tacoschiwas
Head to YouTube now and see the full episode for yourself!
Phoenix is officially in its bakery era — and honestly, it’s impossible to keep up in the best way 🥐🔥
From flaky croissants and artisan sourdough to conchas, mochi donuts, and next-level cupcakes, the Valley’s pastry scene is no longer “drive out of your way for good bread” — it’s sell-out-by-noon, line-around-the-block energy.
A few must-know stops: 🍞 sourdough legend at @noblebread 🍩 cult-favorite donuts at @creampuffdonut 🥯 bagels + focaccia worth the hype at @barriobagelandslice 🍰 cookies, cakes, and brown-butter magic at spots like @hunniebutterbakery
The vibe? Early mornings, fast sell-outs, and baked goods that make “just one more” a complete lie.
Save this for your next coffee run, weekend pastry crawl, or “I need something sweet immediately” moment.
Link in bio for the full guide from Sarah Retinas.
#PHXeats #PhoenixEats #PHXfood #PhoenixFood #Phoenixrestaurants
