Switch It On!

Joshua and Amanda, owners of Switch Bakery in Santa Cruz, recap life at The Bistro about a year after getting the keys to 1016 Cedar Street. They talk expanding the Thanksgiving preorder menu on switchbakery.com featuring their annual vegan apple, maple-coconut pecan, and pumpkin pies plus sides like potato gratin (and vegan version), cranberry chutney, and a gnocchi lasagna. They wax poetic about the new Dandelion chocolate in the kitchen desserts, mochas, and upgraded chocolate chunk cookies, plus recent menu highlights like bagels, duck egg sandwiches, and a maple sesame cake. Plus, the retelling of a Halloween adventure!

00:00 Welcome to Switched On

Discussed on this podcast:Holiday OrderingThe podcast where Joshua & Amanda live taste all the pies!Produced and edited by Joshua Bradley. Intro and outro music by @frazier_ian

We switched the podcast back on during our commute for a quick update to share big news about new hours at the bistro ... and ... *Sunday*🥳 After a soft transition week in mid-September, we’ll be open Wednesday–Sunday (no more Tuesdays), including our first Sunday on September 27. Planned hours are Wednesday 10–5, Thursday/Friday 7–3, Saturday 8–3, and Sunday 8–2, with early mornings offering a smaller menu and easy parking. We also share our dessert lounge dream, team growth, wholesale partners, a run club, and one really big life announcement.

00:00 The Podcast Returns

02:45 New Hours Explained

05:12 Sunday Launch Details

06:29 Early Bird Perks

09:06 Morning Menu

11:40 Wholesale Partners

13:13 Run Club Revival

15:08 Life Updates

15:37 More Stories and Wrap Up

Intro and outro music by Ian Frazier @frazier_ian. Produced, mixed, and edited by Joshua Bradley using Descript

It's time to take a look back at the spring and ahead to summer in Santa Cruz! This episode we gush over a newly expanded beverage menu, bistro-forward food highlights like the popular salmon rillettes with toasted baguette, and the caprese tartine makes its summer debut. We've also got a new team in the Bistro and at our Wednesday and Saturday farmer's markets (plus a market announcement!) Knee deep in birthday, graduation, and wedding seasons, we took a trip to Clementina, a fully gluten-free Italian restaurant in San Francisco, for Amanda's birthday, and drop some details on the Switch Bistro Runners team for the July 26 Wharf to Wharf race. Take a listen!

00:00 Podcast Welcome

03:52 New Drink Menu

10:50 Bistro Food Spotlight

17:20 Markets And New Staff

30:25 Team Growth and Cake Rush

32:08 Birthday Dinner at Clementina

35:08 Beyond Gluten Free Standards

46:49 Fan Love Notes

51:04 Switch Bistro Runners Club

58:01 Wrap Up and Cake TimeMentioned in this episode:Joshua's 5 P's of Good Gut HealthRandy SeamossNoble Coffee TonicSwitch Bistro Runners ClubClementina SF

Listen to our latest episode for the full rundown: how we traveled around Hawaii (no rental car), the local businesses we loved, our best gluten‑free finds, and what’s next at The Bistro. We also tackle the elephant in the bistro…apublic phone number.

00:10 Introduction

16:07 Hawaii Trip & Food Highlights

19:48 Restaurant Finds

35:20 Mānoa Chocolate Factory Tour

44:29 Hiring & Café Updates

55:20 Phone Numbers & Salads

Mentioned in this episode:

Aiwi gluten-free waffles in WaikikiIsland Vintage Coffee in WaikikiPineapple Market Food Hall in WaikikiANDO Café in Kailua TownМānoa Chocolate factory in KailuaBig Island Burger in Waikiki

Join hosts Joshua and Amanda from Switch Bakery Bistro in Santa Cruz as they sit down with Jared Rennie, founder of Noble Coffee Roasting in Ashland, Oregon — one of the most award-winning coffee roasters in the country. In this episode, they explore Noble's nearly 20-year journey from garage roasting to becoming a cornerstone of specialty organic coffee, and how Switch Bakery Bistro brings that same commitment to quality with their gluten-free pastries, breads, and seasonal lunch offerings.

Topics covered:

Why Noble Coffee is 100% organic — and how they've proven organic coffee can compete with (and beat) the best in the industry

The Cup of Excellence program and what makes a truly exceptional cup of coffee

How Switch Bakery Bistro pairs Noble's specialty coffee with rotating gluten-free baked goods made from local, seasonal ingredients

The philosophy behind slowing down the café experience — ceramic mugs only, no disposable cups

Building a values-driven small business: quality over rapid expansion, community over volume

Barista training, and espresso science

Emerging coffee origins: Thailand, Taiwan, China, and India

Noble Tonic: a unique coffee fruit beverage

Perfect for: coffee lovers, gluten-free foodies, small business owners, specialty café enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the craft behind crop-to-cup coffee and artisan gluten-free baking.

Find Switch Bakery Bistro at 1016 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz — open five days a week serving Noble Coffee, gluten-free bread, lunch, and handcrafted pastries.

The Switch Bistro DiariesNow open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 to 5ish.In this episode of Switch it On!, founders Amanda and Joshua provide an in-depth update on their newly opened bistro in Santa Cruz. They discuss their current operating hours, menu offerings, and customer experiences since their soft opening. The duo highlights their popular items like keto donuts, lemon curd treats, and various coffee drinks featuring Noble Coffee from Ashland, Oregon. They also elaborate on their journey of creating a welcoming space, their personal highlights, and upcoming collaborations with other local vendors. With engaging anecdotes and plans for the future, get up to speed on the latest happenings at Switch Bakery Bistro.00:00 - Introduction and Welcome00:59 - Secret Opening and Operating Hours02:33 - Parking Tips and Location03:53 - Pastry Offerings and Customer Favorites05:59 - Coffee Bar and Special Drinks09:21 - Savory Menu and Brunch Delights21:01 - Market Presence and Community Engagement22:34 - Team Expansion and Job Opportunities23:10 - Memorable Bistro Stories30:11 - Special Events and Menu Highlights34:04 - The Year of Magic and Personal Growth*40:36 - Podcast Anecdotes and Future Plans44:21 - Guest Appearances and Pop-Up Events

Getting the DL on The Bistro

In this episode of the Switched On Podcast, hosts Amanda and Joshua introduce the new Switch Bakery and Bistro in downtown Santa Cruz, which is set to open on December 30th with a soft launch. They discuss their plans for the bistro, including a unique menu featuring gluten-free options, their ethos of reducing waste by encouraging reusable cups, and their strategy for a gradual, smooth growth. The episode also features a guest appearance by Joshua's dad, who shares fond memories of communal Sunday pancake breakfasts and stories about Alaskan sourdough traditions. The hosts answer listener questions, play a guessing game about their most popular Christmas sale items, and discuss the latest news in gluten-free.

00:00 Introduction to the Switched On Podcast

00:29 Exciting News About the New Bistro

02:34 Bistro Updates and Location

05:02 Soft Opening Plans

14:20 Holiday Party Highlights

16:55 Playing the Christmas Week Sales Game*

20:52 January Menu Highlights

25:17 Gluten-Free News

32:03 Introducing Joshua’s Dad

38:14 Sourdough Pancake Memories

43:40 Podcast Wrap-Up

*The item that won the “guess what item we sold the most of” game during the holidays was Focaccia, with Popovers hot on their tail.

Intro and outro music by Ian Frazier @frazier_ian. Produced, mixed, and edited by Joshua Bradley using Descript

Amanda and Joshua, co-owners of Switch Bakery, host a special Thanksgiving edition of The Switched On Podcast. They discuss their bakery’s preparations for the holiday, including information on were gluten-free pies and bread can be purchased this week. They also share insights on managing a gluten-free and IBD/IBS Thanksgiving, share some personal holiday memories, offer Thanksgiving movie recommendations, and give an update on their bistro.

00:00 Introduction to The Switched On Podcast

02:44 Thanksgiving Market Details

05:54 Special Pie Market Availability and Cornucopia

11:01 Gluten-Free and IBS/IBD Thanksgiving Tips

19:55 Thanksgiving Menu Highlights

22:52 Turkey Talk and Memories

24:28 Thanksgiving Movies

27:34 Family Thanksgiving Stories

39:33 Thanksgiving Plans and Farewell

Switch Bakery Update: New Bistro Progress and Holiday SpecialsChef-owners Joshua and Amanda host this latest episode from their soon-to-open bistro at 1016 Cedar St. in Santa Cruz, California. The pair share updates on their progress at the bistro. They discuss the challenges of balancing bakery duties while setting up the new cafe. They also offer a detailed look at their upcoming holiday menu, pre-ordering options, and new ideas like the Thanksgiving stuffing hand pie. Wrapping up, they touch on their partnerships with local vendors, market stories, and future plans for the bistro. Excitement builds as they prepare for the grand opening and interact with their dedicated customer base.00:00 - Welcome to the Switch Home Podcast00:47 - Updates on the Bistro and Bakery02:30 - Furniture and Decor Details05:20 - Holiday Season Preparations09:24 - Holiday Menu and Pre-Ordering16:44 - Thanksgiving Specials and New Ideas22:20 - Holiday Week Pickup Plans23:21 - Market Locations and Success24:41 - Partnering with Local Businesses27:12 - Shipping and Special Orders29:48 - Scavenger Hunt for Equipment42:54 - Exciting Bistro Developments46:52 - Podcast Wrap-Up and Listener Engagement

In this episode, Joshua and Amanda, the co-owners of Switch Bakery, announce the exciting news of transitioning their Santa Cruz-based bakery to a full-fledged bistro. Broadcasting from their new, yet-to-be-renovated location on Cedar Street, they share their plans of transforming the space, fond memories tied to the business, and how they envision the space evolving over time. They discuss what patrons can expect from the new bistro, such as unique menu offerings, while ensuring long-time customers that their popular market stalls will continue. The episode also delves into their fall menu, market stories, and emotional moments shared with customers.

This episode is being presented raw and unedited to align with the spirit of being inside of the location and capturing the moment.

00:00 Welcome to Switch Bakery and Bistro with new intro music by Ian Frazier!

00:57 First Impressions of the New Cafe

02:29 Reflecting on the Previous Business

03:57 Excitement and Plans for the New Space

15:08 Fall Menu and Seasonal Offerings

22:38 Vegan Pumpkin Hand Pies

23:39 Pumpkin Varieties and Their Uses

24:24 Fall Desserts and Scones

25:26 Marshmallow Cake Renaissance

29:17 Savory Hand Pies and Market Stories

33:29 Opening a New Cafe

44:59 Thanksgiving Preparations

47:30 Closing Remarks and Future Plans