Meet Sarah Gartzman | Pastry Chef & Restaurateur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Gartzman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in the past 10 years of owning Sweetie’s Sandwich Shop and The Biker & The Baker is to live in the present moment. My husband Rob and I have worked side by side along with our growing staff to ensure we provide the most quality foods, service, and a safe and joyful environment to work and dine in and we’ve learned to take one priority at a time. We try our best to find the best solution to each problem that arises to ensure the best possible outcome in the moment. We value the comfort, support, safety and empowerment of each individual we serve and we keep all of this in mind to make the best decisions in the moment and that helps keep us present every day through it all.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always knows since I was a little kid I saw the world a little differently than others. I am super creative, have always appreciated art and handmade goods and crafts and have knows I would be someone that does that in my life. I have always loved food and creating it and it wasn’t until I dropped out of a traditional college setting I realized I thought I may thrive in culinary school. I immediately found my passion and my place in the world. I have always struggled in traditional school setting because it’s really hard for me to focus and concentrate for long periods of time and have always enjoyed a faster pace work environment. The kitchen is where I feel most at home. I’ve learned to trust my gut and to always see there’s any opportunity for every work style. We’re all unique, and we just need to find our unique place in the world. This was not easy. Feeling different than my peers is not an easy way to go through life and I’m really lucky I was persistent in finding a career that empowered my work style and creativity. I feel it’s really important for everyone to know they have a career out them in the world that embraces their uniqueness and can make them feel satisfaction in their work. Becoming a pastry chef was the best path I could have chosen for myself. And having a partner who supported me through my struggles has been extremely important to my success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Salida, Colorado!

Wake up and walk by the Arkansas River
Head back to the Manhattan Hotel downtown Salida to change and get ready for brunch at The Biker & Baker
Soak at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs
Head back into town for lunch at Sweetie’s Sandwich Shop
Stroll around town and shop at Yolo, Opal Boutique and make some jewelry and Riveting Experience
Happy hour at The Biker & The Baker accompanied by a beautiful charcuterie board and get dessert to go
Dinner at Currents
Head back the Manhattan Hotel and eat dessert in bed 🙂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Everyone of our customers over the years has added a little piece to our story and kept our business going and thriving over the last decade.

Website: www.sweetiesinsalida.com

Instagram: @sweetiessandwichshop

Other: www.thebikerandthebaker.com @bikerandbaker

Image Credits
Catherine Eichel Photography for photos Rob & Sarah Gartzman, owners Sweetie’s Sandwich Shop and The Biker & Baker