By Matthew Free

Food is powerful currency. It has been as such since biblical times. For the importance of even the smallest of meals can feed a nation of people. Cultures and families are bound in their heritage thru the simplest of ingredients. Filling the bellies of those present in the ultimate expression of love. “Food is a great way to connect with people,” states baker and owner of little t american baker in SE Portland, Tim Healea. “When you share a passion for food, there’s an instant connection.”

Mr. Healea has been a resident of Portland for a dozen years liking life and the food scene available. “There are so many great places, but I tend to favor neighborhood restaurants like Tanuki, Biwa, and Toro Bravo,” he shares. Tim received his training from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City picking up baking as a profession, even though he admits not completing a baking and pastry program. Despite not having this formal classroom education skills were learned out in the field by interning and then becoming the head baker at Pearl Bakery. Travels to Germany, Austria, and Australia have also increased his exposure to taste, skills, and equipment. Also, attached to Heale’s resume is the 2002 World Cup of Baking competition in Paris for the U.S. team, which included a year of training from some of the top artisan bakers at the time around the country in preparation. Now, his talents in the field are in such demand that he travels to Japan for several weeks in the year teaching baking seminars with 9,000 students in attendance.

Now Tim Healea is focused on growing and developing his business little t american baker located at 2600 SE Division. Being back home in Portland reconnects him to the inspiration for his baking. “I started to develop a passion for food when living in New York City feeling little overwhelmed by the urban lifestyle. I really felt a desire to have a normal home life, so I started cooking,” Tim explains. Having his shop in Southeast Portland was ideal. “The neighborhood is fun, electric, and the residents really support local businesses. So I thought it was a good fit for a new artisan bakery. (Additionally) I think one of the great things about Portland food scene is that it’s very accessible. Meaning there’s a lot of good, affordable food here.” Heale certain does fit this model expected of our pallets and wallets. “We try to be as fresh as possible,” Tim adds, “So we do not start baking until a couple of hours before we open. There is nothing like having a sandwich made on bread that’s only out of the oven for less than an hour.”

The new fall menu at little t american baker introduces a new vegetarian sandwich of red and yellow roasted beets, Cypress Grove goat fromage blanc, house made pickled onions, organic greens, lightly dressed with their very own champagne vinaigrette, all on top of their very own seven grain carrot roll. Fall also brings new pastries to our case, including a nice plum frangipane tart, a gravenstein apple morning puff and a classic pear Danish. Also, they have started making the gibassier, a sweet bread from Provence with candied orange, orange flower water, anise and extra virgin olive oil. It’s Tim’s recipe from the 2002 World Cup of Baking.

Not only does Portland have many wonderful places to eat, some of them owned and operated by members of our GLBT community, but the Culinary Institute has many students identifying as queer. For any student of the culinary arts—classroom or home kitchen—Mr. Healea provides these morsels of advice. “Get hands-on experience in the industry. There is no substitute for learning in the real world and being comfortable in a professional kitchen. Being humble and learning in every situation is a huge asset. Even I fail at making things all the time, but now know how to make adjustments so that over several attempts the product is exactly the way I want it.” As a result of trial and error lessons in cooking or baking are gain. “People do not realize how complicated the wheat grain is (for baking) and how many varieties there are of what, each one best for specific purposes,” he shares.

Let us then all over Oregon continue to learn about the culinary arts be it at any level or specialty of flavor filling the air with wonderful smells. Cook well for yourself, the family, and even your friends. As food has been associated to the expression of love, let our meals expand such expression and definition in gay culture.