Spring Spark: An Encore Performance with PNB

Posted on by

Pacific Northwest Ballet’s spring fundraiser pairs ballet dancers with pastry chefs to create unique desserts.  

One of the tastiest fundraisers in town is back for an encore performance this Saturday, May 11, at the Francia Russell Center in Bellevue. Pacific Northwest Ballet’s (PNB) Spring Spark is a one-night event where ballet dancers, local distilleries, and Seattle’s dessert virtuosos collide in a night of celebration and support. Guests will have the pleasure of sampling and voting for their favorite desserts and signature cocktails. 

Last year, we collaborated with Lucien Postlewaite, and our Oberon’s Rose Pavlova won the playful competition for best dessert. We’re honored to be invited back for another pas de deux! This year, our dance partner is Leta Biasucci, a principal dancer at PNB. “I’ve long been a huge fan of Macrina’s pastries, and since the opening of the Maple Leaf location, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing regular Cornetto dates with my 17-month-old daughter, Alma,” says Leta. “So when I had the opportunity to work alongside the individuals behind Macrina’s magic, I was so excited!” 

After weeks of auditioning ideas and refining them, Leta and our pastry team have a winner: The Earl of Puff, an airy pâte à choux filled with an Earl Grey Bavarian cream and rhubarb raspberry compote.  

Our pastry team is composed of Leslie Mackie, Macrina’s founder, Katarina Ducharme, our Retail Production Manager, and Sam Stout, our Retail Pastry General Manager. “We had the pleasure of talking favorite pastries with Leta,” says Leslie. “She’s a brilliant dancer and lives a demanding life performing, traveling, and being a mother. When she gets a break, she enjoys a warm cup of tea and her knitting or a good book. It restores her.” 

Leta also mentioned that her dessert preferences run toward rustic Italian. With those factors in mind, we set about experimenting, going in several different directions, and ultimately landing on our variation on the cream puff. Pulling in Leta’s love of tea, we came up with the Earl Grey pastry cream filling and the seasonal touch of the rhubarb.  

At our final tasting, Leta suggested refinements and our pastry team set to work. We’re happy to announce that The Earl of Puff is ready for its debut on Saturday night! And for those of you not attending the Spring Spark, the dessert will be available in our cafés over the Mother’s Day weekend from May 10–12.  

“Sam, Katarina, and Leslie are such masters of their craft,” says Leta. “Having a front row seat to Macrina’s creative process has been such a privilege and wonderful experience. I am so excited to share this special dessert at Spring Spark!” 

We, too, look forward to the playful competition at the Spring Spark and tasting the many other fine desserts and libations. “This is such a fun and privileged project to work with Leta and PNB,” says Leslie. 

Celebrating Mothers!

Posted on by

 

Tramy Thi Le, our GM of Wholesale Pastry, raised two daughters while managing a large team at Macrina. 

Penelope Phan is set to graduate with honors from Smith College, one of the nation’s best, on May 19, 2024. She has been accepted into a master’s program and dreams of becoming a university professor. No one is prouder than her mother, Tramy Thi Le, our GM of Wholesale Pastry, and a working mom. Her younger daughter, Paulina, a high school senior, will attend Bryn Mawr College in the fall — another prestigious school. 

“My goal was to have both daughters get their bachelor’s degrees,” says Tramy. “I’m so proud of them. God keeps us in his good hands.” 

Originally from Vietnam, Tramy moved to Seattle with her then-husband in 2000, seeking a fresh start and a better life. Three months after arriving, she began working at Macrina. Following a divorce in 2012, she faced the challenges of being a single working mother. “Macrina was very supportive,” Tramy recalls. “They offered me flexibility when I needed time off for my daughters’ appointments.” 

Tramy’s mother also played a crucial role in raising the girls, traveling back and forth from Vietnam over eight years to provide support.  

“Tramy has two wonderful daughters and still maintains a demanding work schedule with us at Macrina,” says Leslie Mackie, Macrina’s founder. “I attribute our success in wholesale pastry to her. She worked in retail pastry for four years and learned our foundational recipes and more detailed finishing with cakes and tarts, which helped us develop more wholesale pastry offerings.” 

Since 2013, Tramy has been the general manager of our wholesale pastry team, which now includes over 50 people, mostly Vietnamese immigrants. Tramy, who studied English at Seattle Central Community College, is fluent in both English and Vietnamese. With 24 years of professional baking experience and a background as a teacher in Vietnam, she effectively trains new hires as our department continues to grow. 

Reflecting on the dual challenges of being a primary caregiver and having a demanding career, Tramy emphasizes her continuous learning journey. “When my daughters were teenagers, they had changing needs, and I had to adapt my parenting style to support them better,” she explains. “I worked on controlling my emotions and staying calm.” 

Remaining positive is a hallmark of Tramy’s leadership at Macrina. She is an effective communicator who leads by example and listens carefully to her crew — usually with a smile on her face.  

“I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to grow myself at Macrina,” says Tramy. “Balancing motherhood and managing a team hasn’t always been easy, but my daughters appreciate very much all I do for them. I’m incredibly proud of them.” 

Recipe of the Month: Mother’s Day Cake

Posted on by

This cake is inspired by the Norwegian cake known as verdens beste, “the world’s best.” The story behind it is almost as good as the cake itself. In the 1930s, Hulda Ottestad, a café owner in Harstad, a town on Norway’s largest island, Hinnøya, bought two recipes from a Danish pastry chef. She transformed one of them into what’s known today as Kvæfjordkake. Over the years, the cake’s popularity surged, and in 2002, it was crowned Norway’s National Cake. I’d never baked a sponge cake and meringue in the same pan and was intrigued. I tried several variations, settling on the following recipe, which uses sweetened whipped cream in place of custard. The luscious combination of sponge cake, almond meringue, berries and cream comes together with surprising ease, making it a great addition to any Mother’s Day brunch!

Printable PDF

Makes 8 servings.

Cake Layer
8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar 1
tsp lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup King Arthur cake flour (or a gluten-free equivalent like Bob’s Red Mill GF One-to-One Baking Flour)
1 tsp baking powder
4 egg yolks (reserve egg whites for the meringue)
1/3 cup milk

Meringue Layer
4 egg whites
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup + 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
2/3 cup sliced raw almonds

Cream Filling
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 cup fresh strawberries, 1/2-inch dice

Garnish
2 Tbsp powdered sugar
12 whole strawberries

Cake Layer
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Prepare a 9-inch square baking pan by brushing it with neutral flavored oil and lining it with a 12-inch square piece of parchment paper.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together for 3 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the lemon zest and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.

Sift together the flour and baking powder. With the mixer running at low speed, gradually add the sifted ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until you have a smooth paste.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and milk together. With the mixer set to medium speed, gradually add the egg yolk mixture to the batter in three additions, mixing for 30 seconds after each addition. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.

Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan.

Meringue Layer
Clean and dry the mixer bowl. Using the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed. Sprinkle in the salt and cream of tartar. Once the egg whites become foamy, gradually add the sugar, and continue to whisk on high speed for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the meringue becomes shiny and holds firm peaks.

Scoop the meringue onto the top of the cake batter, smoothing it so it covers the cake. Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the meringue.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the meringue is dry to the touch and almonds are golden brown.

Let cool for 15 minutes. Run a paring knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the cake. Carefully lift the cake out of the pan using the overhanging parchment paper and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.

Cream Filling
Clean and dry the mixer bowl. Fit the stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whip the heavy cream on medium-high speed. Gradually add the sugar and continue to whip until the cream is firm but not curdled in texture.

Fold the diced strawberries gently into the whipped cream. Keep the mixture chilled until you’re ready to assemble the cake.

Assembly
When the cake has completely cooled, remove the parchment liner and cut the cake in half, to make two 4½-inch x 9-inch pieces.

Place one piece of the cake, almond-side down, on your serving plate. Spread the strawberry whipped cream evenly over this layer. Top with the second cake half, almond-side up. Chill the assembled cake for 30 minutes to firm it up for slicing.

Using a serrated knife, gently cut the cake into 1½-inch slices, taking care not to squeeze out the filling. Before serving, dust the top of each slice with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh strawberries. Enjoy!

 

Meet Cong Son: General Manager of Packing

Posted on by

 

Cong won our Continuously Improving Core Value Award 

People committed to a life of continuous learning show up with curiosity. They’re skilled listeners and keen observers. Cong Son, our GM of Packing, is one of those individuals. From the day he first stepped into our bakery, Cong has been a dedicated student.  

Shortly after his family moved to Seattle from Vietnam, Cong came to Macrina in 2014 looking for a part-time job. He’d heard good things about the company from a friend he met in his ESL classes at Seattle Central. We hired him into the packing department. A year later, he became a full-time employee. His quick mastery of day packing, night packing, slicing, pastry packing, and labeling — the full range of packing activities— underscored his rapid advancement. A promotion to packing lead was followed by another to assistant manager. Then in September 2023, we promoted Cong to general manager of packing. Cong manages a staff of about 30 people. Over three shifts, they pack and label all our breads, pastries and other baked goods.  

Cong speaks fluent Vietnamese and Cambodian and his English is commendable, especially considering it’s his third language. Still, Cong is challenging himself to improve his English. “Now that I’m a general manager, I want to be better able to communicate with general managers of other departments,” Cong says. “Communicating with my team is easy. Many of them speak Vietnamese, and we work together every day.”  

Challenges stimulate Cong. “I’ve been learning computers in my new role,” he says. “Macrina is giving me a lot of support. Like they did by sponsoring ESL classes for me and other managers earlier in my career.”   

Cong seemed to be the only person surprised when he won our Continuously Improving Core Value Award. “Seeing my name on the plaque was a surprise,” he says. “I keep learning, keep building new skills, and taking on more responsibility.”  

That’s the attitude and work ethic Cong brought to Macrina and that has carried him into the ranks of general managers.  

Beyond his professional success, Cong Son finds joy and balance in his personal life. Making his home in the Rainier Valley near Columbia City, Cong enjoys time with his family. Depending on the season, you’ll find him spending his free time digging clams and geoducks on Vashon Island or squidding in Elliot Bay.  

Cong’s journey is a testament to the power of continuous improvement and the opportunities it brings. 

Meet Leonardo Barrios, Delivery Driver

Posted on by

Core Value Award Winner: Hard Working

Sure, Macrina is a bakery. We bake bread. But more than that, we’re a team of people passionate about food and community. Our employees, coming from all over the world, are drawn to Seattle for its culture, people, and natural beauty. While the allure of a job might be what initially brings them here, it’s the deep-seated values at Macrina that have kept employees like Leonardo Barrios around for many years — and that make Macrina a special place to work. 

Leonardo began working at Macrina in 2003 as a delivery driver. There was the café and a burgeoning wholesale operation, all based in Belltown. Leonardo made all the deliveries in a small Astro van. He worked closely with founder Leslie Mackie and Macrina’s head baker, Phuong Bui. “It was a tight community,” Leonardo says. 

In 2008, with business expanding, we opened our Sodo café and moved our wholesale bakery into the space behind the café. Scott France, now Macrina’s president, was just getting involved. For personal reasons, Leonardo stepped away from Macrina around that time. His bond with Macrina remained strong, and in 2016, interested in returning, he paid a visit to our new bakery in Kent. “The building was so big,” says Leonardo. “I was impressed. Scott saw me and was so happy to have me back. I felt very appreciated.” 

Today, Leonardo is the primary driver on our busiest route. His day starts at midnight, meticulously organizing and double-checking orders, making sure that every coffee shop and grocery store on his list receives their delivery flawlessly. By eight in the morning, when most of the city is getting to work, Leonardo is ready to head home, having delivered bread and pastries to over 50 locations.  

Originally from a family of cheesemakers in Chiapas, Mexico, Leonardo moved to Seattle in 1997 to live with his uncle. After arriving, he worked in a restaurant and took English classes at Seattle Central Community College, where he met Maria del Carmen, a young woman from Honduras. They married and have since built a life together in Seattle with their two children, now young adults. In addition, two brothers followed Leonardo to Seattle, and they see each other regularly. Leonardo also occasionally gets back to Chiapas to visit his family in Mexico. 

“When I moved to Seattle, so far north of the Mexican border, I encountered so few other Spanish speakers,” says Leonardo. “I’d be on the bus and see another Latino and say hello, just to speak a little Spanish. Many languages are spoken at Macrina, and right away I felt like I belonged.” 

“Leonardo is one of the most hard-working people I know,” says Fanny Alvarado, Macrina’s Wholesale Manager. “When he arrives, he sets a mood and tone with his enthusiasm and positive energy.” 

Kilts For Kids! Vote and Get a Free Coffee and Cookie!

Posted on by

Free cookie and a drip coffee for all voters when you stop by and vote at one of our cafes! 

VOTE HERE!

Kilts for Kids is a charity event organized by the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) to support the needs of children and their families. Macrina joined in 2019 at the invitation of Manny Chao, Georgetown Brewing’s founder and avid RMHC supporter. We’ve been a faithful supporter ever since and we’re at it again this year.  

The spirited competition requires participants to don kilts and encourage people to vote for them. With a $10 donation per vote, RMHC has raised over $700,000 since 2012. This funding provides a crucial lifeline to families who must travel to access critical medical care for their children. RMHC’s offerings include Ronald McDonald Houses—a comforting haven for families with hospitalized children — and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, which offer a peaceful respite within hospitals. Additionally, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program delivers essential healthcare services to underserved communities. 

Motivated by our competitive spirit and a desire to raise significant funds for children in need, we are offering a free drip coffee and cookie (excluding our Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies) as a thank-you to all voters for each vote cast. 

Voting begins on April 8 and runs through April 22. Vote early and vote often! This is one kilt-raiser you can feel good about.   

VOTE HERE!

Thank you!  

Our New Ancient Grain Loaf

Posted on by

A hearty gluten-free loaf made for bread lovers (made in a gluten-friendly environment) 

At Macrina, in particular over the last decade, we’ve been baking with more and more heritage grains. We’re fortunate to have a close relationship with the renowned Bread Lab and Cairnspring Mills, both located nearby in the Skagit Valley. The quality, flavor and nutrition of the heritage grains they make available, many grown in-state, has led to thrilling possibilities. 

One goal has been to make a gluten-free loaf that celebrates different grains without compromising on flavor or texture. Leslie Mackie, Macrina’s founder, has spent months experimenting in our test kitchen to develop a loaf that rises to her standards. The result is our Ancient Grain Loaf. “This is unlike any other gluten-free loaf I’ve tasted,” says Leslie. “It’s highly nutritious, packed with fiber, minerals, and vitamins, and its excellent flavor makes it ideal for open-faced sandwiches or toast.” 

Teff and millet, two ancient grains naturally free of gluten, add flavor and texture. Brown rice flour and finely-ground oats round out the grains, to which we add organic flax and chia seeds, olive oil and honey for enhanced flavor and richness. A long, slow fermentation process allows the bread to develop a semi-dense texture while retaining plenty of moisture. The bread has a subtly nutty flavor with a hint of honey sweetness.  

At room temperature, the bread has a shelf life of two days, but refrigerated it will stay fresh up to a week.

Creamy Risotto with Mushrooms and Broccolini

Posted on by

April’s lengthening days and blooming tulips hint at upcoming visits to the farmer’s market and dining al fresco, yet the persistent showers and crisp evenings make me crave healthy comfort food. Risotto, a dish I find appealing throughout the year, feels particularly fitting now. This straightforward recipe can be prepared in just over 30 minutes and is surprisingly easy to make. By incorporating half the stock initially, you only need to stir occasionally while sautéing the vegetables, then focus more as it approaches readiness. The broccolini introduces a refreshing burst of green and harmonizes well with the lemon zest. Meanwhile, the mushrooms add a rich umami flavor to the risotto, enhancing its overall depth.

Printable PDF of this recipe here.
Makes 4 servings.

½ cup olive oil, divided
¼ cup shallots, finely diced (approximately 2 each)
1 cup Arborio rice
5 cupes chicken or vegetable stock (you may not use all of it)
3 cups fresh mushrooms (chanterelle, shiitake, oyster, or button)
4 cups broccolini, cut into 1½-inch sections (2 bunches)
1 heaping Tbsp garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
1 cup Parmesan, finely grated, divided
1 lemon, for zesting

In a medium saucepan, heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat and then add the shallots. When the shallots are translucent, stir in the Arborio rice. Coat the rice completely in the oil, then pour in half the stock. Simmer for about 35 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, gradually adding more stock as the rice absorbs it.

Meanwhile, wipe the mushrooms with paper towels to clean them. Trim the ends and slice the mushrooms into ½-inch pieces. In a sauté pan, heat ¼ cup olive oil over medium high heat, then add the mushrooms, sautéing until they are golden brown. Lower the heat slightly and add the remaining 2 Tbsp of olive oil, broccolini and garlic. Sauté for another 2 minutes and season to taste with salt and fresh ground pepper.

When the rice is al dente, fold in the vegetables and ½ cup of Parmesan into the risotto. Stir gently over low heat for a minute to marry the flavors. The risotto should be tender but firm to the bite. If it’s on the stiff side, stir in a bit more stock to loosen it up (it continues to absorb liquid even off the heat).

Divide the risotto between 4 plates and garnish with the remaining Parmesan. Grate lemon zest over each portion using a microplane. Excellent on its own, the risotto is even better served with a warm crusty loaf of Macrina Casera bread and a generous bowl of extra virgin olive oil for dipping. Enjoy!

 

Meet Alfredo Machorro, Steward Assistant Manager

Posted on by

Core Value Award Winner: Integrity in All We Do 

“When I look up integrity in the dictionary, I expect to find a picture of Alfredo,” says Sergio Castaneda, Macrina’s Production Manager. “We thoroughly trust him to manage all our ingredients, many of them perishable. Knowing he’s managing things is a great comfort. I can count on him to get it all right.” 

When your aim is baking the highest quality bread and pastries, so much depends on getting every detail right. Having the right ingredients, at peak freshness, and always on hand is essential. Much of that falls on Alfredo Machorro’s strong shoulders. 

Since 2011, Alfredo has worked as a steward in the receiving department. He recently earned a promotion, taking on more responsibility. He manages every delivery that comes into our bakery with a rare combination of rigor and sweetness. He orders product, greets our suppliers when they deliver, and examines the product to ensure it meets our standards. 

“Alfredo’s kindness is genuine,” says Leslie Mackie, Macrina’s founder. “But he’s no pushover. If something isn’t right about an order, he straightens out the invoice or refuses product that doesn’t meet our high standards. Alfredo has earned the respect of our suppliers and admiration from all of us at the bakery.” 

Alfredo takes satisfaction in knowing where everything is in the warehouse. “When someone needs to find a particular product, I take pride in having the answer,” says Alfredo. 

Originally from the historic city of Puebla in Central Mexico, Alfredo moved to Seattle nearly 25 years ago. Puebla’s climate includes a lot of rain and cool nights, not unlike Seattle, which made the transition easier. Fresh-faced and eager, he worked various jobs, honing a versatile skill set before joining Macrina. 

Gardening is Alfredo’s year-round passion. “Depending on the season, I grow fruit, flowers, and vegetables,” he says. In his leisure time, he often walks on local trails, jogs, and enjoys time with his three sisters and their families, all of whom live nearby.  

Kindness is contagious and Alfredo’s smile, integrity, and meticulousness make a positive impact on all those around him. “I work with excellent people, which is the best part of my job,” says Alfredo. “My motto is to be happy. I try to spread that.” 

Coffee Cream Tartlets

Posted on by

Coffee sweetened with cream was the inspiration behind this tartlet that will appeal to fans of tiramisu. A rich pastry cream infused with espresso is cradled in tartlets made with our flaky pie crust over a chocolate base and topped with Bavarian cream. The flavors of the silky pastry cream and the buttery crust contrast nicely with the bittersweet flavors of the coffee and chocolate, a divine combination. Not only do they present elegantly, but they can be made ahead of time, and chilled until it’s time to serve them.

Printable PDF of this recipe here.
Makes 4 tartlets.

1 disk flaky pie dough
4 egg yolks
½ cup + 1 Tbsp sugar, divided
2 Tbsp + 1 tsp cornstarch
3 tsp vanilla, divided
1¼ cups milk
¼ cup espresso or very strong coffee
¾ cup heavy cream
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 coffee beans

Crust
Roll out pie dough disk into a 16-inch x 20-inch rectangle about ¼-inch thick. Using a 6½-inch plastic lid as a guide, cut out 4 circles. Place each circle into a 4½-inch tart shell, folding any overhang onto the rim. Crimp the edge of each tartlet and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line each tartlet with a 7-inch square of parchment paper, pressing it into the dough. Fill each with pie weights. Place the tartlet shells on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rim is golden brown and the base is dry when pie weights and parchment are removed. If the base still looks wet, return to the oven for a few more minutes. Let cool completely.

Pastry Cream
In a medium bowl, whisk together the yolks, ½ cup sugar, cornstarch and 1½ tsp vanilla until well combined. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk until it comes to a boil. Gradually ladle the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to combine. Then, pour the mixture back into the saucepan.

Over low heat, cook the mixture until it thickens, being careful not to let it boil. Remove from heat.

Strain two-thirds of the mixture through a mesh strainer into one clean bowl, and the remainder into another.

Stir the brewed espresso (or strong coffee) into the larger amount of pastry cream. Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and chill for 20 minutes.

To make the Bavarian cream, whip the heavy cream with the remaining 1 Tbsp sugar and 1½ tsp vanilla to a medium firmness. Pour in the small bowl of chilled pastry cream and gently fold in to combine. Cover and chill for 20 minutes.

Assembly
Set up a double boiler by adding 1-inch of water to a small saucepan and fitting a small stainless bowl on top. Melt the chocolate chips in the bowl, stirring with a spatula. Remove from the heat.

Brush the melted chocolate onto the interior base of the baked tartlet shells and refrigerate for 5 minutes to set. Reserve extra chocolate for garnishing.

Divide the coffee pastry cream evenly between the 4 tartlet shells and smooth the surface with a spatula. Top each tartlet with the Bavarian cream, creating a dome shape.

Garnish the tartlets with chocolate stripes by dipping a fork in the remaining melted chocolate and dripping it over the tartlets. (You could also use pastry bag with a fine tip to stripe the tartlets with chocolate.)

Top each tartlet with 3 coffee beans. Chill until ready to serve. The tartlets will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.