Food Friday: Exploring Chicago’s Historic Family-Run Bakeries

At one point, Chicago had about 7,000 bakeries around the city, says author Jennifer Billock.

Food Friday: Exploring Chicago’s Historic Family-Run Bakeries
Production manager Ray Adams surveys a cooling rack holding some of the 4 million donuts turned out each week at the Buttermaid bakery in Chicago, Dec. 4, 1975. Harry Hall / AP Photo
Food Friday: Exploring Chicago’s Historic Family-Run Bakeries
Production manager Ray Adams surveys a cooling rack holding some of the 4 million donuts turned out each week at the Buttermaid bakery in Chicago, Dec. 4, 1975. Harry Hall / AP Photo

Food Friday: Exploring Chicago’s Historic Family-Run Bakeries

At one point, Chicago had about 7,000 bakeries around the city, says author Jennifer Billock.

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Every first Wednesday of the month, leaders of the oldest family-owned bakeries around Chicago have a meeting to exchange ideas and solve baking problems. They call themselves the Bakers Dozen, and it’s how the group has worked for decades.

Reset checks in with author Jennifer Billock, who wrote about the secrets of the exclusive bakers club for Block Club Chicago, about the history of Chicago’s bakeries.

GUEST: Jennifer Billock, author of Historic Chicago Bakeries