Capturing (and Kickstarting) the Art of the Baker

Mike Zakowski is a small celebrity around Sonoma, hawking fresh loaves and blistered flat bread pizzas out of a souped up Airstream at the Tuesday and Friday under the pseudonym 'the bejkr.'

Fewer know Zakowski as a member of the champion U.S. Baking Team who grabbed world cup title in the Coupe Du Monde De La Boulangerie in Paris 2010. Or as a baker who usurps processed ingredients and mechanics in favor of a hand-cranked mixer and wood burning oven.

But a local filmmaker is attempting to capture Zakowski's innovative bread-making process, and his journey to the 2012 bread making title, in a Kickstarter-funded documentary.

The self-proclaimed "experimental documentary" will follow Zakowski through the process of baking his highly touted loaves, and end with his journey to Paris to compete. The filmmakers plan to bring local growers and artisans into the production; their goal is "to follow the ingredients in a loaf of bread and observe the routines of everyday local farmers." 

So far, 48 backers have pledged almost $5,000 in funding via Kickstarter.  But that money covers less than a fifth of the $25,000 costs of the project, which include paying for a soundtrack, post-production costs, as well as travel costs, and equipment rentals. (Not to mention the hours of time involved splicing film and interviewing local bakers and farmers to complete the work.)

You can read more about the project, or donate, on the Kickstarter entry, or watch a mini-trailer at right.