GMS Vignettes: Where Obsession Meets the Plate
By • August 1, 2024 0 982
How three of the District’s most loved and awarded businesses have captivated devoted foodies
By Julia Key
Baked & Wired
Baked and Wired’s cake cups. Courtesy of Baked and Wired.
Located on Thomas Jefferson Street NW is Baked & Wired, a family-owned business that has been open for nearly a quarter of a century. That wasn’t always the plan for the Velazquez family.
“People are like, oh, did you always dream that you were going to be a baker and own your own bakery? Like, no, I needed to pay for my kids’ private school tuition, so that kind of evolved into what it is today,” said Teresa Velazquez, who co-owns the bakery with her husband Tony.
The name ‘Baked & Wired’ was born out of a desire to succinctly capture the essence of the bakery’s offerings-baked goods and coffee. However, the name’s meaning wasn’t always clear to customers.
“Back in 2001, people were still going to internet cafés, and people would come in thinking the ‘wired’ was because we had computers that you can come in and use in the cafe and have a cup of coffee,” Velazquez said.
Family is the backbone for Baked & Wired, with recipes from Teresa’s grandmother and great-aunt and pastries named after mother and daughter, Tessa.
“My kids grew up in Baked & Wired,” Velazquez said. “Now, my son is 36, and my daughter is 34, and they both have aspects of the business that they contribute to. They’ve gone to school, done their thing, and returned and wanted to be a part of the craziness.”
Separating personal life from business life may seem like a challenge from the outside, but according to Teresa, their family has figured it out. Tony handles all the financials, their son Zak deals with all of the recipes for drinks, coffee and the retail, and their daughter Tessa oversees operations within the business. This leaves Teresa to be hands-on in the kitchen, creating recipes, baking in both the Baked & Wired kitchen and in its sister store, A Baked Joint.
Popular menu items include the classic chocolate chip cookie and the “beesting,” a baked shortbread bar with sliced almonds and honey as a topping. The beesting was so popular that it gave Teresa the nickname “beesting lady” within her family.
Baked & Wired is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 pm on Sunday through Friday and 8 am to 8 pm on Saturdays.
Boulangerie Christophe
Boulangerie Christophe’s head chef, Stefane. Photo from instagram.com/boulangeriechristophe.
About a 10-minute walk from Baked & Wired is Boulangerie Christophe, an authentic French bakery. Opened in 2017, Boulangerie Christophe quickly gained a loyal following with authentic pastries, including its award-winning croissant. This success has enabled the bakery to expand with a second location in Maryland.
Boulangerie Christophe has garnered recognition at various prestigious events. It won the “Best Baguette in the USA” award in 2020 and again in 2022. Additionally, it received “Top Honors” at the American Pastry Competition, showcasing outstanding pastries nationwide. Lastly, Stéphane Grattier, the chef of production at Boulangerie Christophe, won an Academie Culinaire Gold Medal in 2021
“Bread is a basic element of food, so it is important to me that it is of very high quality,” Grattier said.
Two of Boulangerie Christophe’s delicious pastries. Yelp photo.
“We must ensure the highest quality for this product on a daily basis because I would like it to become more popular. This is why I select high-quality raw materials that are as healthy as possible and that I use manufacturing methods that allow for better assimilation by the body,” Grattier added.
Grattier, his family, who also work at Boulangerie, and Didier Martin, the owner, were all born in France, where Grattier’s business began. Soon after Grattier met his wife, the pair had three kids, two of whom decided that they too wanted to work in the family business.
“I managed to pass on my passion, and that makes me happy,” Grattier said.
Grattier emphasizes that their authenticity is the critical differentiator for Boulangerie Christophe and similar bakeries. “Our pastries are crafted using ingredients imported from France—such as red label flour, AOP butter, and French chocolate—and we produce genuine French pastries daily.”
Grattier graduated from a French pastry and bakery school in 1989, earning his diploma after two years of study. “Since then, I have continuously honed my craft, running several bakeries and pastry shops in France for over 30 years,” he said.
Lastly, to cement Boulangerie’s impact in Georgetown is their community involvement. In 2020, The bakery gave meals and bread to support the elderly in local retirement homes and Grattier himself has participated in the charity meal to support the Comite Tricolore of D.C.
Thomas Sweet
Thomas Sweet’s soft serve. Yelp photo.
Lastly, in the heart of Georgetown on P Street NW is Thomas Sweet, a frozen yogurt and ice cream shop with five locations, four in New Jersey and the fifth in D.C.
The first location opened over 40 years ago in Princeton, New Jersey. It was originally founded as a chocolate shop, a testament to the shop’s long-standing commitment to sweet treats. As popularity grew, it morphed into an ice cream shop which it still is today, carrying on the tradition of serving delicious frozen desserts.
Founded by Tommy Block and Tom Grimm, the business was named after the pair as they shared a passion for cold, sweet treats. The business expanded out of New Jersey and into the District where the owner of the D.C. store, Mohammed Ali, joined the business.
“I’ve been the owner since 1986 when President Reagan was in office,” Ali said. Within months of its opening, the shop gained a following for its creamy ice cream and its commitment to using only fresh, local ingredients, ensuring the highest quality and the most delicious flavors.
Thomas Sweet remains a cherished gem in Georgetown. Its commitment to quality, creativity, and customer satisfaction ensures that every visit is a delightful experience. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, the shop’s inviting atmosphere and exceptional treats create nostalgia and joy long after the last scoop. Thomas Sweet continues to delight taste buds and warm hearts as a community cornerstone, solidifying its place as a beloved local business.
GMS VIGNETTES brought to you by Georgetown Main Street and The Georgetowner.
