I have a few more inquiries for Tarit before we can sit down and break bread.
Read our interview with Tarit Tanjasiri, part one.
And now, on to part two . . .
Where did you grow up? If you're not from Orange County, what brought you here?
Bangkok, Singapore, Massachusetts, Los Angeles, then OC. My wife is a professor at Cal State Fullerton.
What did you study in school? Did you always plan on being a chef?
Economics degree from USC. I would never really call myself a chef, as I never went through appropriate training or school for it. More of an entrepreneur who loves to cook and bake.
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What's your favorite childhood memory?
Growing up with my family. I was close to them.
When you're not in the cafe, what are you doing in your free time?
On my days off, I mostly will play some golf with friends on the weekdays. Sundays, I like my time with my family.
What is your ethnic background?
Thai. Chinese born and raised in Thailand.
Hardest lesson you've learned:
Never be cocky. Not everything you do is going to be successful.
Do you have any skills that are not food-related?
I play a lot of sports. Squash, golf, snowboarding. If it's about play, I like it.
What would you be doing if you weren't in the industry?
Probably in real estate. It's been so long, I can't imagine not being in the industry anymore.
Last thing you looked up online:
Windowed bread bags for my beautiful sourdough boules and loaves. Still looking.
Last book read or movie watched.
Harry Potter books and Frozen. Still a child at heart.
Tell us something most people don't know about you.
I was a serious windsurfer from the early 80s through the 90s. Lived in Maui for a few years just to satisfy that craving.
Is there anything you'd like readers to know about your cafe/bakery?
Readers have to come down and experience the casual comfort of our cafe. I have the best staff I could ever ask for in our industry. They are warm, friendly, like a good friend that happens to be serving you.
The bakery represents my passion and inspiration from my experiences through my travels and knowledge from the best teachers and master bakers. I hope they will see and taste the difference.
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A contributing writer for OC Weekly, Anne Marie freelances for multiple online and print publications, and guest judges for culinary competitions. A Bay Area transplant, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. Find her on Instagram as brekkiefan.