Introducing: Charlie-May Bingham
Let’s get right into it.
I’d like to share with you some very exciting news: Charlie-May Bingham has accepted a senior position at Tommy’s Whole Grain!
I met Charlie-May in March 2022, while I was working for Flourist and in need of a creative jolt. Flourist’s bake-team was in a rebuild after a few months of departures of key positions. Charlie-May came in as a customer, ordered a vegan cookie and an oat flat white and tried to pay cash. I happened to be out front at the time, and chirped “who pays cash anymore” (it was mid-pandemic). Shortly after, Charlie-May casually enquired with the front of house staff as to whether we were hiring bakers. Following that, we ended up introducing ourselves. I found out she was in Canada to work with a bakery in Whistler, and it wasn’t working out the way she was hoping. So, she was in Vancouver to interview for a head chef position at a vegan restaurant in Chinatown. Professionally, I felt a connection to her right away. I was impressed with all her experience, and could relate to a lot of it. We even knew some of the same people (shoutout Dan at Ritopane). I did my best to offer her a position with us, while also being honest about the difficult time I was having there.
Working with Charlie-May was a dream. She is incredibly thoughtful, and funny, and hard-working, and professional. She brought so much positivity into the space. It was clear that her abilities as a baker and a leader were top-quality. She had influence on the entire team, including myself. Thinking back on that time, I am very grateful for the guidance and support I got from her to succeed in my own role as a leader.
When I left Flourist, it was no surprise that she was asked to be my replacement to lead the team. I was happy to see someone take-over with similar professional values and whole grain enthusiasm. It was because of her, Flourist’s bakers early in their career have developed a fondness for whole grain baking.
Even after I left, I was interested in the work they were doing without me, and was so impressed at how much innovation there was. The head baker position involved wearing many hats, that didn’t always have the support or depth to fully succeed in that role, and Charlie-May still managed to breathe so much life into it. However, over time, it was clear she was facing the same challenges as I had, and eventually burnt-out.
During the time I have known Charlie-May, she has put time and effort into making deeper connections with the whole grain community at large. While visiting home in the UK, she visited Wakelyns Agroforestry Farm to meet Henrietta Inman. She has travelled down the west coast to spend time with Laura Valli at Bread Lab, and Roxana Jullapat at her bakery, Friends & Family, in West Hollywood. Most recently, she went to Washington D.C. to work with Charbel Abrache at Seylou. It’s this level of dedication and commitment that puts Charlie-May into a league of her own.
Knowing Charlie-May was going to leave Flourist, I offered her a key position to work next to me, and help me create a business that reflects our values. Collaborating with her the past little while has been thrilling. It has been so interesting for me to watch the business grow through all of these stages so far. I remember thinking it was amazing I was able to get the plan down on paper, that it had matured to something more than just an idea in my head. Every step along the way amazes me. Now the plan is at a point where it’s not just mine, and it’s still growing.
We are still a few months away from opening and have so much to do before that. When we are ready, we are so looking forward to welcoming you into our space. In the meantime, please help me welcome Tommy’s Whole Grain’s official Head Baker: Charlie-May.
Thank you to everyone who has been patient with me during this time, it has not been easy to put a newsletter together. I will continue to write and share our progress, and appreciate your interest and support. If you want to help support getting our bakery open, please order a T-shirt. They are $50 + taxes. All sales are incredibly helpful. Please dm for details. Thank you so much to everyone who has already ordered one, I’m blown away by all your support.
Lots more to come!