As Kneaded Bakery specializes in crusty, naturally leavened sourdough loaves, classic French baguettes, and challah. The bakery, which opened on Nov. 3 and currently operates weekend-only hours, also offers a range of noshes, from bialys and bostocks to morning buns. But, make no mistake, this is not a place for croissants or cookies.

After two years building her bread business through pop-ups and farmers' markets, 30-year-old baker Iliana Imberman Berkowitz opened her first brick-and-mortar shop in San Leandro. Known for her miche and French-style baguettes, Berkowitz boldly claims she makes "the best bread in the Bay Area." Her naturally leavened breads feature darker crusts for maximum flavor.

Growing up in a Jewish household where food analysis was paramount, baker Iliana Imberman Berkowitz opened her San Leandro bakery after building through pop-ups and farmers' markets. She's known for traditional bread-making techniques, particularly her tangy miche and sweet French baguettes (adamantly opposing sourdough baguettes). Hebrew Free Loan helped fund her $80,000 Italian oven.

Founder Iliana Berkowitz "stumbled upon bread by accident" after struggling to find anthropology work post-recession. Starting with pop-ups at Cleophus Quealy Beer Company and farmers' markets, she opened her San Leandro brick-and-mortar in November 2018. Unlike "Cold Stone Creamery-style" bakeries, each bread recipe is distinct, including bestseller honey rye porridge.

Berkowitz started As Kneaded as a 2016 pop-up at Cleophus Quealy brewery before opening her San Leandro storefront. Her East Coast-style, bread-only bakery features distinct doughs for each loaf—unlike Tartine-style bakeries—including miche, French baguettes, honey rye porridge, and challah. The massive Italian oven bakes everything directly on the hearth.

Featured in a "40 Under 40" profile, 28-year-old baker Iliana Berkowitz runs As Kneaded Bakery in San Leandro. Her artisanal breads appear at farmers' markets, restaurants, and independent grocers throughout the Bay Area. Berkowitz aims to become "the household name for well-crafted, wholesome bread" and plans to open a brick-and-mortar location.

As Kneaded breads recently made a cameo appearance in this video produced by our customer, Bianchini's, celebrating their local growers and food purveyors. Check it out!

As Kneaded Bakery's sourdough is described as world-changing. Owner Iliana created this community-supported bakery to blend her Jewish heritage with Bay Area's sourdough culture. The bakery offers 12 types of loaves, including traditional Challah, and sells at Downtown San Leandro and San Mateo farmers' markets.

The Pokeatery in San Mateo uses bread from As Kneaded Bakery as the base for their new "Pokecado Toast" creation—a fusion of avocado toast and poke bowls. The bakery's bread is topped with avocado and various poke toppings for this $10.50 trendy food mashup.