Our mission
We make dependable bakery technique easier to understand, so learners can practice with confidence and adapt recipes to their own kitchens.
About the studio
A warmer, clearer way to learn baking
Ember & Crumb began as a small teaching table where every question was welcome and every loaf became a lesson. We now bring that same patient, observant approach to home bakers everywhere.
Our story
Founded in 2018 by Mara Ellis in a sunlit kitchen in Northern California, Ember & Crumb started with six students around one wooden table. Word spread through honest results and clear explanations. Today we serve thousands of learners while preserving the same intimate, encouraging spirit that defined our first class.
Our promise
We teach what can be observed, repeated, and improved: dough feel, timing, temperature, structure, and thoughtful presentation.
Teaching philosophy
Observe first
We train students to notice subtle changes in dough, color, and aroma before reaching for any tool.
Repeat with purpose
Each lesson returns to core techniques until they become second nature in any home kitchen.
Adapt freely
We encourage personal adjustments so every baker develops their own reliable process.
The people at the table
Mara Ellis
Founder & bread tutor
Mara teaches fermentation through simple visual cues and patient repetition.
Jon Bell
Pastry instructor
Jon turns lamination and pastry planning into approachable kitchen habits.
Asha Reed
Learner experience lead
Asha makes every guide clear, inclusive, and useful on a busy weeknight.