Sweet. Savory. Boozy. You name it, and Bayk Madison probably has a variety of babka for it.
With over 30 different flavors to try, Bayk Madison has turned a traditional Jewish bread into a delicious and versatile treat.
Photo courtesy of Susan Kay
Born and raised in the small town of Greensburg, Kansas, owner Susan Kay went on to receive a degree in bakery science from Kansas State University and then worked in corporate food research and development for 22 years.
Susan came to Madison in 2018 to fulfill her dream of opening a bakery after leaving Palermo’s Pizza in Milwaukee. Inspired by a fourth-generation Jewish baker she worked with while living in Boston several years prior, Susan saw an opportunity for a babka bakery in the Madison area.
“When I came to Madison and was looking around there wasn’t a babka baker and so I thought, well maybe there was space for that,” shared Susan. “It’s very much on-trend on both the East Coast and West Coast, really all ethnic breads are.”
Photo courtesy of Susan Kay
While Bayk’s most popular babka are the traditional chocolate hazelnut and cinnamon flavors, there are over 30 seasonal varieties baked with fresh and often local ingredients.
“One of the things that I think sets Bayk Madison apart a little bit is the fact that I make all of my own fillings, with the exception of the chocolate hazelnut which is Nutella. And if there is an opportunity to have it be from a local farmer or locally sourced, then I definitely do that,” Susan explained of her recipes.
Photo courtesy of Susan Kay
Joining the farmer’s market community has supported Bayk’s growth as a business and helped Susan develop relationships with a variety of local farmers and other producers.
“The savory pesto uses basil from a farm here that is local, and the garlic is local. With the strawberry rhubarb, the rhubarb is from a local farmer here in Dane County,” Susan shared.
Photo courtesy of Susan Kay
Susan came to the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market in 2019 and in addition to vending, became a member of the MSFM board as well.
“I felt it was really important for me as a newcomer to Madison, if you will, as well as a new business in Madison, to just get to know as many people as I could and to use this market, and the market board, as an experience and help spread the Bayk message and also get to know people,” Susan shared. “So from a networking perspective, I think it's been tremendous.”
Bayk is currently operating out of a beautiful bakery space near the East Side of Madison and has plans for a grand opening when COVID-19 restrictions permit it. In the meantime, Bayk will continue vending throughout the farmer’s market season in addition to wholesale retailing, curbside pickup, and delivery orders shipped through USPS.
Come out and grab a loaf (or two) of babka before the market season is over! Visit the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Edgewood High School.