After being told she should go gluten-free in 2009, Britt Royal, owner of Britt's Bakehouse, kept baking – a favorite hobby of hers – despite her diagnosis. The doors opened at her gluten-free bakery in Kirkwood, Missouri, in November 2019, and it's been a community favorite ever since.
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Although she wasn't born here, it made sense for Royal to open her bakery in St. Louis: Her mom's side of the family is from the area, and Royal herself attended college at Washington University in St. Louis. "There was so much to love about St. Louis that I never left," she says. "The cultural institutions are so accessible, the cost of living is affordable and the food scene is amazing. Why would I leave?" As plans around opening a bakery began to take shape, settling down here seemed even more logical. Royal adds, "People are so supportive of small businesses, and there weren't very many dedicated gluten-free bakeries."
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Even though gluten-free options have come a long way in recent years, learning the ins and outs of cooking minus the gluten can be challenging. To master her craft, Royal realized she'd have to do a little research. "I learned as much as I could about different flours," she says. "How are they traditionally used in other countries? What flour pairs well with particular flavors? My goal was to make gluten-free baked goods that were indistinguishable from gluten-filled baked goods." With former colleagues as taste-testers and family and friends asking her to create gluten-free treats for celebrations, Royal realized she had a hit on her hands. "If people who could have any cake at all were asking for gluten-free cakes for their birthday, gluten-free people would be thrilled, right?" she asks. "With that in mind, I opened a booth at the Kirkwood Farmers' Market."
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Gluten-free cupcakes.
Royal adds, "I'm so blessed that from the very beginning, the challenge has been to meet the demand. After only one season, I decided to open a storefront to try and keep up." As a result of that demand, she's currently expanding into the former Center for Plant-Based Living space, two doors down from her OG storefront. You can follow Britt's Bakehouse on Instagram to stay in the loop.
Read on to see how Royal feels about a certain divisive candy and why growing up cooking and baking boosted her confidence.
What's the best thing you've ordered at a restaurant recently? Everything I had at Asador Del Sur was delightful! They were incredibly well-versed in being gluten-free, and I felt safe and cared for the entire evening. The quality of the food and feeling safe while eating are equally important to my dining experience. My friend and I shared several dishes, but my favorite was the lobster bisque. But you can't go wrong – everything was fresh and flavorful.
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Gluten-free pie.
What's your favorite food memory? Just being in the kitchen with my parents and learning. My mom taught me to bake, and my dad taught me to cook. They let me in the kitchen at an early age, and although I'm sure it was a steep learning curve, I always felt like I was an amazing cook at the end of the process. Feeling happy and confident in the kitchen as a kid allowed me to feel free and creative in the kitchen as an adult.
Where's your favorite place to grab a drink and what do you order? I don't drink alcohol (another fun food intolerance!), so my go-to is a soda water with lime. But I did have an excellent mocktail at The Royale the other week. It wasn't too sweet, was a lovely pink color and really added to the festive atmosphere of the event.
What ingredients do you think everyone should keep at home and why? Fresh herbs and garlic are so wonderful. I know they can go bad quickly, but if you freeze them when they're on the verge of going bad, you can extend the shelf life. Fresh garlic, fresh chives and fresh thyme are always in my kitchen. Dried herbs have their place, but fresh herbs pack a punch and can really enliven a dish.
What's your most controversial food/drink opinion? Black licorice is the worst. I know plenty of people will be on my side, but just as many people will want to fight me on this.
137 W. Jefferson Ave., Kirkwood, Missouri, 314-858-1117, brittsbakehouse.com