The Bakers Men Buffalo

Photo courtesy of The Bakers Men Buffalo

Persistent, creative, fun, self-taught, kind, and organized, these are just a few of the many traits that describe Brian Muffoletto and Nick Napierala, who make up The Bakers Men Buffalo . Together for seven years, they both are school teachers by day (Brian, a 2nd Grade Teacher at Eggert Rd Elementary in Orchard Park and Nick, an Elementary Art Teacher at Elma and Wales in Iroquois) and creative cookie masters by night.

“Creativity can be found in any aspect of your life”

Catch my story with them below on how The Bakers Men Buffalo got started and what they’re doing now.

It all started with their love to host parties. One day after scrolling through social media looking at cookie videos Brian and Nick decided to try something new for their upcoming Easter guests and created some sweet cookie desserts. After teaching themselves through videos online they presented their cookies to their guests and while they looked great, they tasted horrible. Back to the drawing board they gave it a second try for the 4th of July, when the cookies still didn’t taste great, they went back to the drawing board and played with recipes on what they liked and didn’t like. After almost a whole year they came back to their friends and family on the following Easter (in 2019) and presented their new cookies that not only looked amazing, they tasted great!

Photos courtesy of The Bakers Men Buffalo

Their signature vanilla almond flavor is not too sweet but not bland, it’s the perfect combination of deliciousness with soft frosting that compliments a soft, but light crunch cookie. In 2019 during this 3rd attempt at perfecting their recipe they were approached by a casting agency for the Food Network. One of their hashtags is #malebakers so it caught the attention on social media of the show. After an intensive interview process and months that had gone by Brian and Nick were surprised to hear back from the agency in August of 2020. As the months went by they officially launched their business, Nick designed their logo, including the Buffalo Skyline in it, they created their website and did their first business order for a friend of theirs, Genevie, who owns Designing Dish in East Aurora, all while they were busy creating a commercial kitchen in their basement that is NYS Inspected.

Photos taken by Neal Urban Photography

Because of work scheduling Nick had to step back from being on the Food Network but Brian moved forward and competed against four other bakers. The show aired in November of 2020, and Brian’s cookie theme was Christmas of the Future and his design was Space Christmas, think a Christmas Tree on the moon, Santa and Gingerbread. Competing in the first round the judges thought Brian’s cookie flavor was to safe and he came back to Buffalo but not without making new friends from the show and gaining a lot of experience from that opportunity.

As they continue to have fun, they run a successful business and I’m impressed with the motivation both men have with how they self-taught themselves in recipe development, web design, food photography, social media and much more. They are persistent, learn from their mistakes and keep going. All while using the power of creativity, sharing what they do and applying what they know.

Photos courtesy of The Bakers Men Buffalo

Brian and Nick do all sorts of fun cookie orders, from Christmas themes to their signature Buffalo cookies, to custom orders, there is very little they can’t do in my opinion. They have over 700 cutters that are all organized and categorized so if you have an idea they are sure to be able to create it. They also host fun cookie classes in collaboration with other local business owners like Meet and Eat Charcuterie, Lago, Six Friends Cabernet, Shea’s and Designing Dish, and they’re not done, they have a bucket list of people they’d love to collaborate with. If you’re looking to get a hold of them the best way to contact them is through email: thebakersmenbuffalo@gmail.com

When I asked them my signature question - What do they love about Buffalo ? They replied .. the City of Good Neighbors is true here in Western New York. We meet people on social and events and we get to collaborate with them. The art community is incredible and there is always something to do and learn, it gives us an appreciation of where we live. We love the seasons too!

When I asked them what there favorite part of their business is they said they enjoy meeting the people they do business with, they become like part of the family. They also enjoy being able to bounce ideas off of each other and create a theme and from there a design and color palette, textures, playing with images and text. They are constantly learning and looking at new ideas through other cookiery’s on social media.

When you run a business on top of having full time jobs you still have to find time to have a work/life balance. You also have to invest in yourself, especially when you offer a quality product that not only looks good but tastes good, you can’t sell yourself short. You need to charge your worth and learn your limits, two great pieces of advice as I close out this sweet feature on two talented, creative men.

-B

A Beautiful Lavender Farm in Niagara County

On a warm summer, Sunday morning I paid a visit to Kin Loch Farmstead to meet up with Alex Plante, owner and creator of this beautiful space. I learned about Kin Loch late last summer through a social media post and had put it on my bucket list to visit this summer.

Alex and her husband, Ryan moved to Western New York from New York City and opened Kin Loch in the Spring of 2018. What they have created in a short 3 years is nothing short of magical. From the lavender fields to the beautiful barn that can host any sort of event or get together, the farm brings nothing but peacefulness, calming sounds and the beautiful smells of lavender.

Learn more Alex and Kin Loch below.

How did Kin Loch come about? What made you want to start a lavender farm?

When Alex was living in NYC, she had an idea that one day she wanted to open a wedding rental business (online + in person) where people could rent out décor and furniture pieces for their special day and then return them. Part of her 10-year plan was to incorporate a barn which would be her showroom and then have a lavender field once the business was well underway.  The plan flip flopped when she and her husband, Ryan moved to Buffalo for his job a few years ago. She has always loved lavender and while she was on maternity leave, she had this idea to purchase land to convert to a lavender farm so that’s what they did. They bought a farm, and the lavender field came first. Her passion is the lavender piece and the events she plans and organizes at the barn are the more “business” side of things. When she moved to Buffalo, she wasn’t privy to one specific area she just knew she wanted to live where the soil quality was good to grow the plant.

Kin Loch sits on 30 acres and has a test field in the front entrance where her current lavender grows and where the popular u-pick classes are held. Alex uses no chemicals, making her product organic. In the back of the property sits another 15 acres where she hopes to one day house a greenhouse and large lavender field which would make it the biggest in the Northeastern part of the United States.  Lavender is grown from cuttings and are usually planted in the spring. They take three years to fully establish.

Your favorite part about owning/growing your lavender farmstead?

There are lots of parts of the business from the u-pick events to rental events like weddings, showers, and private parties we hold in the barn, but I’d say my favorite thing about owning my own business is growing and tending to the lavender fields.

Her second favorite part of owning her own business is teaching classes. Especially the Lavender 101 class. Not many people know lavender is a herb not a flower and there are lots of ways it can be used, like as a repellant, for burns, or in food. It’s beautiful to smell and is found to calm nerves and stress.

You grow French and English lavender – do you have a favorite and why?

Alex grows 8 types of French and English lavender and when asked what her favorite kind was, she said Grosso is her favorite type on the farm. It’s a French type of lavender that has the highest oil content and it’s a good size, makes a statement, it smells good and it’s reliable.

What does Kin Loch mean?

“Family Lake”

What is a typical day like running the farmstead?

Kin Loch Farm is open May thru October and in the winter months we are making product, like our candles, lavender product and planning for next year. During the peak months Alex is on-site Thursday thru Sunday and every day is very different. One day she could be chipping wood in the forest and tending to the lavender test area in the fields up front and making sure the property is up kept. If there are events going on in the barn, she’s there helping set-up, meeting with vendors, giving tours of the property for rentals, etc.

Monday thru Wednesday while she may not be on-site she’s answering emails, prepping for what is on the weeks schedule and popping into the farm when needed to fulfill orders and tend to property up-keep.

There are a lot of moving parts and being able to adjust and pivot is part of the daily grind.  

Your favorite part of WNY?

Western New York is the best of both worlds, it’s small but mighty. It’s a city that offers Broadway shows, we have access to fresh water and lakes and two professional sports teams. Some may think there isn’t as much excitement but that’s not true.

It’s also a good time to open a business in Buffalo. Buffalo is doing well, as a business owner you want to go somewhere where the economics prosper, and I feel like Western New York has that.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

To create more time, I feel like there is never enough time.

Favorite summer playlist or Song to get you through the day?

When on the farm it’s Leon Bridges and the Allman Brothers. In the car it’s the Hamilton soundtrack.

Which of the 5 senses is your strongest?

It’s not really a sense, but I’d say I’m a doer. If I have an idea, I’m very decisive – I do it, and move forward, I don’t sit, and think should or shouldn’t I.

Your spirit animal?

I like to stay busy, I’m always doing something, so I’d say I’m like a Woodchuck or Beaver, I keep going.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I went to school for journalism and wanted to be a journalist when I grew up. When asked if she had any interest in being in that field now, she said no and laughed.

Biggest fear or challenge that you’ve faced while owning your own business?

The same year we opened, Cambria wanted to change the Agri-Tourism rules so if you operated as a farm no people would be able to be on property for special events, but Kin Loch worked with other farms and neighbors in the area to make it work so that farms could host people on their property and still be respectful of each other.

Upcoming Events?

For more information on Kin Loch’s upcoming events click here.

Kin Loch on social media:

IG Facebook

Showin' Love at Larkinville

Larkin Square - aka "Larkinville"- one of the newest hot spots in Buffalo with so many food truck and social events that are taking place its one of my favorite places to go, especially in the summer time. For a complete list of upcoming things to do click here

-B

Saying Goodbye to 2014 and Hello to 2015

It's the end of the year and like a lot of people we all take time to look back and reflect on this past year. I feel like I tend to do this more often throughout the year, not just at the end of December. 2014 was a year of growth for me... building relationships, facing fears and living outside "my shell." I learned to snowboard, ran my first half marathon, climbed ropes and cables in trees and expanded my courage more than I thought I ever would. 2014 wasn't all great things though, I experienced hardships with the loss of loved ones, felt defeated at times and just wanted to give up. I guess one of the good things about reflecting back on your year is that even if you think you haven't grown or made improvements somewhere in your life, you do, sometimes you just may not see it.

While I'm happy with what 2014 brought me, I look forward to what 2015 holds not only for me, but for Buffalo as well. I'm not one to make resolutions, but I do constantly make goals for myself throughout the year and am looking forward to challenging myself to be a "better me."

Thank you for your continued support of Just a Blonde in Buffalo this past year. Until next time!

xxoo

-B

Here are some photos of mine throughout the year:

{The cranes down by Harbor Center January 2014}

{My snowboarding adventure in February at Holiday Valley}

{My 29th birthday at Paint on Tap with some of the best friends I could ask for}

{A visit to the Hamburg Brewing Company and interview with Jeff at Resurgence Brewery were just a couple highlights from April}

{My first rock concert, a makers class and much more kicked off the month of May}

{June was a great month full of living life and completing my first half marathon}

{July was about some of the biggest events I've done so far in my career}

{August was a month I will remember for a long time. Receiving a 30 under 30 award was one of the biggest highlights from 2014}

{September I faced another fear of mine.. heights and among the ropes course we kicked off the football season, visited restaurants and enjoyed the almost fall season}

{October was a trip to Disney, an introduction to new non-profit organizations, turning the falls pink with my Mom and picking pumpkins}

{November was a month of unexpected snow, a new addition to our family and prepping for the holidays}

{December was about enjoying friends and family during the craziest of times. It brought with it events, craft classes, a trip to NYC and much more!}