Who is GLEE Bakery?

Megan Elizabeth Glee Stewart-Bretz

Baking has always been a passion and interest of mine. From the days of 4-H baking classes to now, baking has served as an outlet. I started with the classic apple pie-my G-pa’s favorite-and branched off from there. I attended college in Seattle, and when the stresses of school became too much, or the weather was (as you can imagine) dreary, you could find me in the kitchen experimenting with something new.

Fast forward to age 23, living in NYC, and teaching Pilates. I got a call from my Nurse Practitioner telling me my blood tests came back abnormal-Let me also rewind to my childhood and tell you I had chronic sinus infections and took antibiotics about 2-3 times a year-she said she thought I could be a Celiac. I’ll be honest, I cried. At the time I was addicted to gluten, you couldn’t put a donut in front of me and expect it not to get eaten. I was in denial, so much so, I continued to eat wheat until I was 26. After another blood test, constant weight fluctuation, more sinus infections, inflammation in my ankles, and gas/bloating, I finally made the steps to stop eating Gluten.

At the time, even in NYC, it was difficult to find Gluten-Free treats that tasted like the real thing. Sandy, dry, too wet, or simply just not good…So I took it upon myself to recreate my old recipes Gluten-Free. Just because I couldn’t use wheat flour, didn’t mean I also had to stop baking. 7 years and normal blood tests later, I haven’t been sick, my bloating reduced, my weight has stayed the same, and the inflammation and swelling of my ankles is gone. And to my surprise, you can put a donut in front of me and I can actually resist the temptation.

I know how eating something delicious makes me feel. I know I love a good dessert, a fluffy piece of bread, and a flaky buttery crust. Eating is something that should be enjoyed. Something that brings people together and makes them feel good. I want to help others feel that way.

Gluten-Free doesn’t have to taste Gluten-Free. And in fact, sometimes it can be even better than the ‘real’ thing. You don’t have to be Gluten-Free to enjoy it. I want to bake for you, to bring you joy and ‘Glee-fullness’ and to create desserts that gluten-eaters and non can enjoy.