McMinnville, Oregon

In case you are wondering, I did not ride my bike from Santa Barbara to Oregon. Nor did I ride my bike in the rain to a bakery during my recent trip north. What I did do was make the most out of my trip to Alchemist’s Jam in McMinnville on the singular day it was open during my visit. I suggest you make an effort to stop by this marvelous bakery the next time you are in or even near the Willamette Valley.

Prior to this month’s trip, I had purchased outstanding jars of jam, including such luscious, unusual flavors as peach vanilla nutmeg, marionberry, and strawberry rhubarb, from Alchemist’s. Since then, I have been following it on Instagram and enjoying its baked goods vicariously via my daughter who goes to school near this charming shop. Boy do I envy Camille when she tells me about the latest galette, scone, or savory biscuit she has eaten that day. Finally, I was able to savor each bite of food from Alchemist’s Jam this fall.

Image credit: Alchemist’s Instagram account

Image credit: Alchemist’s Instagram account

My college friend, Minda, heard a lot of hype from me about Alchemist’s Jam. She soon learned I had not been exaggerating when I told her many times how incredibly tasty the food was. We arrived with Camille at the shop on a cool, wet Sunday morning. I took several minutes to take stock of every kind of baked good on offer, from golden brown sourdough boules, to decorated cookies. The three of us were also enchanted by the thoughtfully curated array of books, soaps, cards, zines, children’s toys, craft kits, natural beauty products, jars of intriguing condiments, dried flowers, and kitchen wares. In addition, there were woven wall hangings and pretty tote bags, made by one of the owners, Jennifer. While we perused the shelves, we drank chai, warm with autumnal spices and rich milk. After several minutes, we got serious about what to eat. Although I thought we may have perhaps over-ordered at the time, we managed to consume almost every last bite when we returned to Camille’s apartment.

We started our feast with a savory galette, a lighter than air, buttery, flaky pastry filled with herbs, cheese, and topped with an egg. We also shared a perfectly tender manchego and herb scone, which was without a doubt one of the best scones I’ve ever tasted. Then it was a free-for-all, which meant we filled our own plates with slices of a hazelnut pesto and potato galette (amazing!), a marionberry galette (heavenly!), and a memorable buckwheat espresso cookie (!). It’s hard to imagine how any of these baked goods could have been improved upon. Each was shaped by the delicate hands of practiced bakers, who know how to keep the pastry tender. We learned that nearly every ingredient is sourced locally, and the freshness of the herbs and berries was apparent. Once we were sated, we set aside the apple butter shortbread cookie and a double chocolate cookie for snacking on later. They were also, unsurprisingly, divine. I’d never had apple butter in a cookie, and it was a nice autumnal touch, atop a crumbly, quintessentially buttery shortbread. The double chocolate cookie was one of the best cookies I’d ever had, with its rich, chocolate flavor. I think my favorite cookie had to be the espresso one with its somewhat nutty flavor and maple drizzle.

Another stop on our culinary journey was Vadnay Chocolate Company. Camille had been here before and reported that her hot chocolate from this small and delightful shop had been excellent. We tasted the dark chocolate which was intense and deeply flavorful and purchased some bars and dark chocolate hazelnut bark. When I mentioned to the cashier that I also worked in a bean-to-bar chocolate shop, he called to a back room and the owner appeared, eager to chat. Joe Vadnay began making chocolate based on his love of the incredible cacao bean, and has been busy ever since.

Did I whine a bit the next day because Alchemist’s Jam was closed? Yes, I did. But I also enjoyed a fine breakfast at Red Hill’s Kitchen (salmon and avocado toast, pictured below) while reminiscing about what we had eaten the day before. Camille will graduate from college in May, and I am counting the days until we can celebrate this accomplishment, and until I can once again enjoy what Alchemist’s Jam has in its bakery case. I cannot wait! For both, I mean.

Minda and Me