Redwood City teen behind Andy’s Big Head Bakery talks about his experience competing on Food Network
When I was a freshman in high school I started a baking blog, and every weekend I would bake something (think Cheetos macarons and pumpkin bread with matcha streusel), take an egregious amount of photos of the baking process and write about it to my miniscule fan base. As life got busier, I just kind of stopped.
Andy Coyle’s baking story is quite different from mine. He started Andy’s Big Head Bakery, an at-home baking business, and in 2022, a Food Network casting agent contacted him and asked if he’d like to audition for “Kids Baking Championship.” He ultimately became one of the 12 selected contestants and had the opportunity to show off his baking chops on national television. Go Andy!
This week, Sophia Markoulakis talked with Andy to learn more about his time on the show, as well as how he balances his baking business with school. Meanwhile, I set my sights on the coast, learning about Craftsman Coffee’s plans to open a brick and mortar in Pacifica and Half Moon Bay nonprofit The HEAL Project’s upcoming strolling supper fundraising dinner.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
On the rise: How a Redwood City teen’s baking business propelled him to Food Network’s ‘Kids Baking Championship’
Redwood City teenager Andy Coyle recently appeared on Season 12 of Food Network’s popular show, “Kids Baking Championship,” an opportunity that came from running an at-home baking business, Andy’s Big Head Bakery.
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Palo Alto Sol on California Ave., celebrates 30 years!
Hector and Helena Sol started the restaurant over 30 years ago with so much passion to share with the community the best of Puebla, Mexico. The tortilla soup, Sopa Azteca, has been a fan favorite for these past decades, this classic traditional soup hits the right chords of comfort and nostalgia. Our hope is for all the new members in the community to come by and be a part of our family history. >LEARN MORE
A coffee truck gets a new home, a Half Moon Bay strolling supper and a new place to brunch
- Pacifica-based mobile coffee truck Craftsman Coffee plans to open its brick and mortar at the end of March.
- The HEAL Project, a nonprofit benefiting health, environmental and agricultural education in San Mateo County, is holding its annual Spring Ahead strolling supper at Pasta Moon in Half Moon Bay March 20.
- Breaking Dawn, an Asian fusion brunch spot, soft opened Feb. 16 in Los Gatos.
- Chinese restaurant Joyous Cuisine is opening soon on Castro Street in Mountain View, replacing Nori Nori Craft Handrolls.
- Did you know Neighborhood Pizza Guy at Cafe Zoë in Menlo Park has open mic night on the third Friday of every month from 6-8 p.m.? (I didn’t!)
- National Margarita Day is tomorrow! San Agus Cocina & Cocktails in Palo Alto is offering $7 margs all day (and $15 mini margarita flights!).
A mochi pizza hybrid from Mochiko Mochi Pizza
I love Sushirrito (particularly the Fiery Chicken!). As a kid, one of my favorite parts of going to Westfield Valley Fair shopping mall was for the Sushirrito (that location no longer exists.)
So when I heard the Sushirrito owners were opening a secondary Asian fusion concept in Palo Alto, I was pumped (I, being half-Asian, also identify as Asian fusion). So on its grand opening day, I decided to wait half an hour for the pepperoni flavor, since regular pepperoni pizza is elite in my opinion.
As advertised, the crust was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. But what I wasn’t expecting was how thick the crust would be – each bite took forever to chew (it was quite the jaw workout). It reminded me of a Chinese sticky rice cake, nian gao (年糕), but with savory pizza toppings. I’m not sure if it was my preexisting notions of what pizza should taste like or the juxtaposition of something I associate with being sweet suddenly being salty, but I wouldn’t say this is a must try. It’s an interesting bite for sure, but not something I necessarily need to eat again soon.
To watch my full review, visit our Instagram @peninsulafoodist.
Mochiko Mochi Pizza, 488 University Ave., Palo Alto, Instagram: @mochikomochipizza. Open daily noon to 8 p.m.
Meet the Midpeninsula’s Swedish home baker
Pop-up bakery offers a taste of Sweden’s traditional treats
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