Chef Amy Dixon is the head of The Baker’s Table in Santa Ynez Valley, CA.
The Baker’s Table is a delightful artisan bakery tucked in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley near Central California. With local favorites such as: hand-rolled croissants, pain au chocolat, and the lemon curd, Chef Amy Dixon is dedicated to combining organic and local ingredients to honor the earth and the hands that cultivate it. We wonder what Amy does to make every item on the menu so mouth-watering, so we asked her to answer five questions to entice you to make a stop at The Baker’s Table on your next getaway to the gorgeous valley.
From the hand-rolled croissants, French macarons to buttery apple galette…what is the one pastry you personally must have at The Baker’s Table everyday?
Everyday, I must have a little bit of almost everything. I have sample bites of pastries, breads and lunch items. It’s the way I keep my quality right where I want it to be.
What are the top 3 items on your menu that everyone who comes to the bakery must walk away with?
Bread! Croissants and lemon cranberry tea cake or individual carrot cake.
Since you use all organic and local products, what makes farmers markets in Santa Ynez Valley so unique?
I know the farmers. We have each other’s phone numbers, and we chat about what is coming to market for the week. I go out to their farms to pick up fresh from the ground produce.
If you could spend a day with your culinary idol, who would it be and why?
Julia Child! It may sound like I’m on the bandwagon, but Julia Child was a pioneer in many, many ways. She not only brought French cooking to the American attention, but also made it approachable. She was the ultimate teacher and student. She helped to carve the way for women in cooking and began her career a bit later in life. To me, she is proof that if you put your mind to something, you can make it happen.
You’ve lived in SYV since 1998, besides The Baker’s Table, where else is your favorite spot in the Valley?
I love to ride my bicycle over Ballard Canyon…especially in the Spring. It gives me the opportunity to truly see the beauty of Valley at eye level. Everything is green and gorgeous in Spring.
