A Little More About AOTC

How Art of The Crumb Was Born

Art of The Crumb didn’t begin as a business plan.
It began as a moment of quiet healing in my kitchen.

Like so many chapters in my life, sourdough found me when I needed it most. What started as a simple experiment—mixing flour and water, waiting, trusting—slowly became a source of grounding and comfort. In the midst of life’s changes, losses, and transitions, baking sourdough offered me something steady. Something alive. Something hopeful.

Sourdough asks for patience. It teaches you to slow down, to observe, to respond rather than rush. And in that gentle rhythm of feeding a starter, folding dough, and waiting for fermentation to work its magic, I began to feel whole again.

A Love Language, Reimagined

For as long as I can remember, feeding people has been my love language.

As a mother of four, much of my life was spent nurturing my family through home-cooked meals and from-scratch baking. Over the years—whether in California, Connecticut, or now Tennessee—my kitchen has always been a place of comfort, conversation, and care.

Sourdough felt like a natural extension of that instinct to nourish. Simple ingredients. Traditional methods. No shortcuts. Just flour, water, salt, and time—transformed into something deeply satisfying.

Each loaf felt personal. No two were ever exactly the same, and I loved that. The cracks in the crust, the open crumb, the tang that develops only through slow fermentation—every detail told a story.

Faith, Service, and the Power of Bread

My faith has always been a quiet but steady source of strength in my life—especially during seasons of loss and rebuilding. It has taught me that nourishment goes beyond food, and that even the simplest acts can be a form of service.

As my sourdough journey grew, it felt natural to share it not only with friends and neighbors, but also with those in need. Today, I bake bread for our local food pantry and for the community dinners they host—loaves made with the same care, patience, and quality as any other.

There is something deeply meaningful about breaking bread together. In those moments, bread becomes more than sustenance; it becomes comfort, dignity, and connection. Being able to contribute in this way has been one of the most humbling and rewarding parts of my baking journey.

From Healing to Sharing

Before long, friends and family began asking for bread. Then neighbors. Then people I barely knew, but who had heard about “that sourdough Kathy makes.”

I’d deliver loaves still warm from the oven and later receive messages about slices eaten straight off the cutting board, crusts crackling, butter melting into the crumb. Those small moments reminded me that bread has the power to bring people together.

That’s when Art of The Crumb quietly took shape.

What began as a personal form of healing grew into a way to serve others—through my community, my faith, and my kitchen.

Rooted in Tradition, Made with Heart

Today, from my cozy kitchen in Clarksville, Tennessee, I craft small-batch sourdough bread using high-quality, organic ingredients and time-honored techniques. Every loaf is shaped by hand, fermented naturally, and baked with intention.

My baking is inspired by California roots, Connecticut years, and Southern hospitality—blending tradition, warmth, and a whole lot of heart. Alongside classic loaves, I love experimenting with starters and specialty baked goods, always guided by intuition and care.

And of course, I’m never truly baking alone. Cooper, my loyal white Lab, is always nearby, and Tobie, my orange cat and unofficial bakery mascot, keeps watch from afar.

An Open Invitation

Art of The Crumb is more than bread. It’s a story of resilience, faith, community, and finding joy again through simple, meaningful work.

Whether you’re a fellow sourdough baker, someone seeking nourishing food, or simply someone who believes in the power of sharing a meal, I’m so glad you’re here. My hope is that every loaf brings comfort, connection, and a reminder that love—like sourdough—grows when it’s shared.

Thank you for being part of this journey, one crumb at a time.