A LABOR OF LOVE

A BAKERY WHOSE STORY IS ALMOST AS SWEET AS THE TREATS STORY BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

For nearly two decades Wally Choi and Joon Lee have worked side by side to make Union Bakery more than just a spot for lunch, but a home. “I think people appreciate simple things done well, and from the beginning that’s been our goal,” Choi says.

From delicate croissants that are labored over for two days, to warm, heavenly pies made from fresh, seasonal fruits, the menu has stayed nearly the same for the last 18 years. Though over that time, Lee, the mastermind behind the delicious treats, has also dabbled with savory profiles creating unforgettable quiches, soups and sandwiches that lay atop fresh bread baked in-house.

“As time has gone on people have become pretty attached to our savory menu and rely on us for afternoon meals. But our pies are still in the center stage,” Choi says.

Today, the couple is a powerhouse of appetizing treats that customers can tell were crafted with love, but back in ’98 the two almost missed each other in busy New York City by a hair. Lee was working off-beat hours at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, serving some of the world’s most notable figures and learning under famous French chefs. Choi was constantly in the grind of the finance industry in the city. Without one of Choi’s friends taking notice of Lee, the couple may have been two ships in the night.

“My friend wanted to ask her out, but he was chicken thinking he would get shot down. So I said, ‘Well then maybe I’ll ask her out,’” says Choi, who added Lee was “crazy about him from first sight.” To which Lee lovingly shrugged.

From that day on, the lovebirds’ passion for each other was on fire. Togeth- er they hit the usual milestones most couples do, but there was a special love between them; the kind that lasts a lifetime.

Two years after their first date the couple was married. Though unsure about what the future may hold, they knew they would have each other through the thickest of the storms and on the brightest days. The couple agrees that all they need is each other, and it showed when Lee made a leap of faith and moved from the comforts of her NYC stomping grounds to California to open a business with Choi, who was getting worn out at his job.

Lee was a bit hesitant because of her upbringing on the East Coast and some of the rumors she had heard about the West Coast’s way of life. To her understanding, California lacked culture and, “was kind of boring.” She says it was difficult to leave her situation in New York City but noticed Choi finding less and less joy in his job, so she made the jump.

The couple decided to combine their skills to open a bakery, something that was unachievable in Manhattan because of the cost of space, supplies and permits. Not only was their dream achievable in Pasadena, but had the potential to thrive.

Within seven months of moving to Pasadena, Union Bakery was opened. While nearly all of the process went flawlessly, the couple did at first struggle to decide on the overall vibe of the joint. Lee wanted a classic French theme due to her French training. Choi wanted to avoid the “foo foo” theme, and go with a cozy and comfortable “homey” feel. After some convincing, the couple went with Choi’s vision, and Lee fell in love with the space.

“The first couple of years, like any business, you struggle. You sort of have to find your footing in the market and figure out what your place is in it. But we made money from day one, we didn’t struggle too much,” Choi says.

“I think it’s because there weren’t many mom and pop type places in the area back then. I mean we had that cozy atmosphere and really amazing food and coffee, and people gravitated toward that authenticity.”

Solely through word of mouth throughout Pasadena, Union Bakery has remained one of the most popular cafes in the community for nearly two de- cades. The couple says they have served several generations of families in the neighborhood that make a point to visit the bakery while they are in town. They also regularly do caterings for pies, quiches and sandwiches that have become a staple in many household traditions.

“It feels amazing to be part of those memories for people. There are some things that taste, or smell or feel like home. I think our bakery brings back some of people’s best memories of Pasadena,” Choi says.

Through their business, the couple has made a home for themselves in Pasadena. Though Lee was at first hesitant about moving to the area, now she says there is no other place she would rather be.

“Now that I’ve lived here for almost 20 years I can admit I was wrong. The people are great and really open minded. Especially the people in Pasa- dena, I mean they have become family to me,” says Lee.

Lee and Choi have no intention of opening a second bakery, “because then it would turn into real work. Right now, we do this for fun,” says Choi. How- ever, the future of Union Bakery could include a larger space leaving room to grow for years to come.

“We’re not going anywhere, if anything we’re ready to just do more of what we do, and continue to grow our family in Pasadena,” says Choi. Though no matter what the future may hold, the love the couple has for each other and what they do will remain the same, and the community can count on them for a home away from home with fresh pies to boot.

Union Bakery

Food delivery services offer everything but the kitchen sink By Bruce Haring LOVE TO COOK, BUT HATE SHOPPING?

16 | ARROYO | 02.20 We live in an age where everyone is tired. Tired from work, tired from commuting, tired of the noisy neighbors, the taxes, the everything that comes with a super-busy lifestyle.

So when you finally make it to the sanctuary of your home, it’s little wonder that coming up with a meal concept and getting it ready can overtax your drained brain.

But everyone must eat to survive. Yes, you can order a pizza or eat whatever fast food you find on the way home. But as your mother, the Food Network, and countless websites remind you, good nutrition starts at home by cooking with fresh ingredients.

There is just one hassle—gathering the groceries to put together that dream meal. Some few humans see that task as a delight, a chance to explore the supermarket and interact with their fellow humans and discover new things on the shelves.

Others see it as just one more chore to be endured, or skip it entirely in favor pizza.

Welcome to the 21st century. The advent of grocery delivery services from Amazon, Instacart and others has made a dent in that time suck known as shopping. Sure, the prices are a little higher, and there are often mysterious service charges floating on the bill. But having someone else take on the task of walking the grocery store aisles are moments in your life you can reclaim.

The only problem is that collecting the groceries is merely step one. The next step is making a meal, something that requires cooking skills continued from page 16

There’s an app for that

Fortunately, there is a pre-planned meal option for almost everyone out there, including those trying to stay on the Keto path, vegans, gluten-free disciples and those with food allergies.

Here is how it works: a box of food arrives, you unpack and follow the cooking directions, and soon, you have something that you would have been proud to order from a restaurant.

Even better, the nutrition is balanced, and portion control is carefully measured. As a bonus, there’s less food waste—you don’t need to buy that bottle of Asian ginger sauce and have it sit around for the next year. Everything has been pre-measured in just the right amount.

And for those of us with families, because you pre-order your food, you will never have to wonder about what’s for tonight’s dinner.

What services are out there? National brands include Blue Apron, HelloFresh, Home Chef, SunBasket, Purple Carrot and Freshly, among many others. All are out there creating delicious, balanced, and healthy recipes. Most ZIP codes are delivery targets and the ingredients will stay fresh in its packaging for 24 hours, or up to five days in the refrigerator.

Locally, Pasadena residents can also explore some nonchain options. We will go over them below.

Now, the downside of this convenience. In each case, it is a service, so it is pricier than the DIY option of shopping and cooking yourself. There’s company overhead involved here, so the plans are usually a couple

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dollars more to accommodate that necessity. But you can pause most of the services if finances are tight, or just order a few meals a week to fit your lifestyle.

Some hearty eaters may be disappointed at the portion control aspect. A single serving may not be enough, leaving you scrounging for add-ons that may ruin the concept of nutrition and portio-control. And for the planet conscious, there’s also the issue of packaging waste. All of that goodness has to be contained in something, and that often means you will wind up with something resembling Christmas morning after you open all of the containers. Disposing of that mess is the equivalent of jetting to an environmental conference.

Still not convinced? Many of the services offer a trial period, often with a discount. You can experiment and see if the option of pre-meal planning and delivery is right for you.

Here are a few local options:

ZEN Foods: ZEN, or “Zero-Effort Nutrition,” creates clean, healthy and delicious meals tailored to fit your dietary needs. Each day you’ll receive a ZEN Foods cooler bag containing freshly prepared breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert delivered right to your doorstep. Available programs include: weight loss, rapid weight loss, healthy lifestyle for weight maintenance, vegetarian, family dinner and cold-pressed juice cleanses.

Fitness Kitchen: Fitness Kitchen uses locally sourced premium ingredients to create meals while achieving your wellness and fitness goals. Do you want to drop pounds while building strength? Do you want to effortlessly maintain your current weight? Do you want to fuel up for athletic performance? Fitness Kitchen LA has a meal plan that will help you do just that.

Muscle Up Meals: Each meal is prepared to be “5-Star Delicious,” as well as precisely weighed and measured to ensure each meal provides the optimum nutrition to help you reach your fitness goals. Whether you want to lose fat and gain muscle, or just lose weight so you can start to enjoy a healthy living lifestyle, Muscle Up Meals has the solution you need.

Gourmet Health: Never the same weekly menu. They deliver to the office and offer a team delivery discount (five or more people get free delivery). You can also try the hangover meal: They’ll make steak strips, egg whites and rice after a night out.

Little Green Forks: Pre-prepared and healthy plant-based meals. The meals contain no animal products, no processed foods or refined grains. All are delivered in sealed environmentally friendly packaging that can be placed into the oven, microwave, refrigerator or freezer.