Meet Udi's

Robin Bar-On
Udi's Handcrafted Foods
Udi's Bread Cafe - Fitzsimmons

15 years ago you might have seen her at the Northglenn Mall in Colorado, working the afternoon shifts at what was Udi's original sandwich kiosk. Today, you'll find her collaborating with other Udi's chefs, creating some of the most delicious and creative menu items in the "303".

Ask her where she gets her inspiration, and you'll experience excitement that is contagious. "Are you kidding me?! There are endless supplies of flavors, colors, textures and aromas all over the world! How can we not be inspired daily?!" True, and when you add the experience of having worked with some of the biggest names in the industry (Batali, Flay, Keller)- you get mouthwatering creations, that keep us coming back time and time again.  She continues - with a look one might have when recollecting a culinary adventure, "I tapped into many Asian ingredients and dishes for some of the 2009 menu items. I wanted to bring the Asian and American palettes together. It was finding that refined result - a perfect balance - that really drove me."

You might assume that asking Robin to pick her favorite Udi's item, might be like asking a painter to pick their favorite color. Instead, her answer was suprisingly simple; "Our bread is unbeatable. There is nothing like a warm fresh baked loaf. No utensils required!"

Comments

[Tom F.]

Hi, Just wanted to let you know that I love you Cranberry Raisin Walnut bread. I am a little worried as to the new size of the loaf. Not worried enough to stay awake at night mind you. It's just that the diameter of the pieces toward the end of the loaf are not much bigger than a Ritz cracker. I think for toasting that is just too small. Perhaps it was the high price of gas that drove you to decrease the size of your loaf, but I think you should return it to it's former size & charge a bit more if you have too, or form it into more of a block shape. I have gone back to buying my former brand-frozen Ezekiel 4.9. Just thought you should know. Love your BREADS though!

[Amy McCormick]

I was diagnosed with celiac disease in November 2008. I discovered Udi's at King Sooper's just a few weeks ago, and I feel like I found the key to the castle. I've tried GF baked goods from the Whole Foods bakery along with other commonly available brands. Udi's baked goods are simply the best. There is no comparison. The blueberry muffins are as good as any standard muffin, the snickerdoodles and oatmeal cookies are sublime.

For the first time since my diagnosis, I actually got to enjoy feeling normal with a baked good.

I'm terribly grateful to Udi's and King Sooper's for making such excellent products available to me in my regular store. I'll be a loyal Udi's and King Sooper's shopper! Thanks so much!

[Mariah Zebrowski]

I run a blog called "Gluten-Free from A to Z" that reviews gluten-free products, recipes, and restaurants. We recently reviewed your Cinnamon Rolls.

If you are interested in our feedback, you can read the review here: http://glutenfree-a-z.blogspot.com/2009/01/udis-cinnamon-rolls.html

Thanks so much for working to make tasty gluten-free options! We really appreciate it.

~A&Z~
http://glutenfree-a-z.blogspot.com/

[Tammy Van Vorst]

I am so excited to find a gluten-free bread that you can actually eat without toasting and piling it with something to make it taste good! THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!!! You made my and my mom's day.

[L SIMMS]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE start adding nutritional information and labels to your products. It would be extremely helpful to those who are dieting & counting calories, so they can continue to eat your products.

[Kathy]

I love the tuna pasta salad I get at King Soopers in Boulder (Gunbarrel) but there is usually none left when I get there (usually between Noon and 1:00). PLEASE supply them with more!

[Laura Flavin]

I wanted to let you know I love your Natural Artisan Granola (especially the Hawaiian). I am disappointed to see that you have begun to package 13 0z. instead of the usual 16 Oz. per bag. You are one of the many companies downsizing the amount in the package and keeping the same price or increasing the price. My grocery store currently has a few 16 Oz packages along side the new 13 Ozers....not so good :(

[kAREN EHNES-mORSE]

I think your gluten Free sandwich bread is the best I can buy. I liked your cinnnamon rolls until you changed the packaging. Somehow it changed the product. But thank you for the bread. I eat it everyday. And thank God for you.

[Beverly Seigneur]

I loved the gluten free cinnamon rolls until you changed the frosting. Every celiac craves a great cinnamon roll, like mom used to make, with tons of white frosting. I was very disappointed last week when I bought the new cinnamon rolls. Please change them back to the white frosting, and lots of it.

[Heidi Kelly]

Hi!

I just tried your cinnamon rolls that I purchased at Whole Foods in Albuquerque. I didn't have high hopes because I have had them in the past, only to be disappointed. I just thawed one. No microwaving, no oven re-heating. The flavor and texture were divine. I decided to go for the holy grail and try your sandwich bread. It sat in my freezer for a few days, as I was not up for another let down. Then I did it. I took the plunge. I thawed one slice to split between me and my little boys. We just looked at each other because we werent trusting our own tastebuds. Did we really just sink our teeth into a slice of un-toasted and un-microwaved gluten free bread that didnt compel us to dive for the nearest glass of water?? nooo...YEP! I have truly not experienced anything like it since being diagnosed with celiac 5 years ago. Ive bought nearly every product out there, every cookbook, I am an avid baker myself and have some items that have become quite passible but nothing, nothing as amazing as your white bread. My oldest son is entering kindergarten in the fall and I have been consumed with figuring out what to pack in his lunch. A sandwich! How novel . Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Heidi Kelly
http://gfmom.blogspot.com/

May I link you to my blog?

Please consider selling this bread online, all of your GF products for that matter. I am now afraid of going to Whole Foods and they wont be able to keep it in stock.

[Blucola]

We just got home from Whole Foods on a special trip just to get your breads and a package of blueberry muffins. I would be happy to order a case of this bread directly, but I'm very grateful to have found these products at Whole Foods. You folks make it true what I've been saying all along, gluten free doesn't have to be a compromise!

[Ashley Carollo]

Oh my gosh -- I'm a Denver native, and remember buying your breads at the Cherry Creek Farmer's Market often when I lived there. Unfortunately, it seems I transferred to the Bay Area at the WRONG TIME.

After being diagnosed with Celiac disease 3 years ago, and searching all over this area for bread that tasted as it "should", I'm finding Udi's popping up all over the gluten-free blogosphere as the best GF product out there.

Where can a Denver-girl like me go to find your GF breads in Santa Rosa, CA??!!

[Karen]

I stumbled upon your gluten-free bread by accident at Whole Foods in Salt Lake. I was in the bread section (not the freezer section)searching for some bread for a friend, when I saw it. I too, could not believe it when I realized I didn't need to toast it. I just finished a heavenly sandwich made from your bread, a sublime Spanish ham, and King of the Dolomites cheese (slightly melted) from Northern Italy. Nirvana! Definitely the best gluten free bread on the market. Thank you!

[jkd]

Your GF breads and muffins are simply the best on the market - no question!! Thank you for developing wonderful, flavorful bread and muffins. I am delighted to purchase these at Whole Foods in CA, and am hoping the cinnamon rolls show up soon too! Many companies are trying to produce a GF product, and while I definitely appreciate all efforts, the end product should still be a HIGH QUALITY one. Udi's never disappoints!! Thank you so very much!!

[Lindseyannewolff@yahoo.com]

Thanks for your great gluten-free products. My daughter can't eat gluten or dairy, so we always looking for foods she can eat, that actually taste great. Your GF sandwich bread is the best, by far. I eat it all the time, it's so yummy. I'd like to try your GF cinnamon rolls and muffins...are they dairy free as well? Thanks for your great GF products, you have made my life much easier!
Lindsey

[Elizabeth Connell]

OMG I LOVE YOUR GF bread...15 years of eating lettuce sandwiches is over!!!! I have been telling everyone I know about it.
I sing in a band, and was out in L.A. on tour at the beginning of November and I bought a loaf to try because of what it said on the back of the package. At the airport I was in the restaurant getting ready to eat my Toast Free breakfast when I remembered the bread in my bag. I took it out and opened it up and steeled myself to be disappointed yet again, when to my delight and surprise, I tasted what I can only describe as BREAD!!! NOT Cardboard or tangy weird textured something like bread, but BREAD!!!!
I squealed in delight and asked the cook if they could make a breakfast sandwich with my bread instead of the english muffin thing they used. They did and for the first time in forever I got to eat a breakfast sandwich!!!
I used the bread at the Subway next to the hotel for the rest of the week. I only wished I had brought 2 loaves instead of one. I ran out before we left...
The Subway was curious about the bread and I gave them the wrapper when I was done so they could see if they could get some for people who ask about GF choices.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! YOU HAVE MADE MY LIFE SO MUCH SIMPLER NOW!
Miss E of the band Pairadeux

[Eric Jacobson]

While I think your bread tastes great, I shop at Luckys in North Boulder and get there about 5 pm almost everyday. The crust on your bread is really hard and I have bought it in spite of that but my families complains that that can't chew it because its so hard! I shopped at Sprouts the other day (late morning) and your crust was soft and wonderful. What should I do?

[slick willy]

Just purchased your Gluten Free Whole Grain Bread....OUTSTANDING.!!! It is the best i have had...looking forward to trying the Gluten Free Granola....THANKS

[Narayanan Ramani]

You have got the best gluten free bread, thanks so much. My kid has gluten allergy, and this is a great option for him!!

[Sherry Calhoun]

My stepson has Autism. He was placed on a Gluten/Dairy free diet by his doctor in Janurary of this year. After the initial shock, I went to the health food store to start buying different foods for him. I was told that your bread was the best on the market and after trying it, we agree! We recently just tried your pizza crust which he loved also. Thank you so much for your products. Do you have any coupons for your products?

[john madsen]

hi you make a great product however i am vegan so close yet so far is there any way you could make one gluten free bread without eggs and make it vegan if its a texture problem apple sauce or guar gum is usually used