Meet Miriam Litzman of Oven Fresh Challah in Maricopa County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Miriam Litzman.

Miriam, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
So my company, Oven Fresh Challah, was born from a desire to create and connect with people. I was a stay at home mom, living in Phoenix, and I wanted (needed) something more.

It all started when a bread company, Simply bread, closed its doors and we no longer were able to easily get delicious Challah (Jewish Bread) and baked goods.

I started to make Challah on my own, and everyone who tried it (especially my husband) told me it was the best they’ve ever tasted. Every week I’d perfect my recipe until it turned into something I was very proud of and decided to share with the phoenix community. It started out as a simple, straightforward Facebook post- Challah dough for sale! I got the idea from my sister in law, to sell raw dough, and allow people to bake the bread at home, filling their kitchens with intoxicating aromas and warmth.

That first week I sold ten doughs. People were hooked. The one comment I received was to offer baked as well, and to meet the customer’s needs, thats exactly what I did. And Oven Fresh Challah was born!

Week after week, I would knead and braid and package and sell, and I loved every minute of it. Customers would come to my home to pick up Challah, we’d chat, connect, and part knowing that they received a quality, fresh, one of a kind product.

Slowly it became clear that just Challah wasn’t enough.

I was at a friend’s home and tried fresh homemade Babka, and I KNEW then, and there I had to introduce this incredible product to my wonderful customers. The first time I made Babka, it was an epic fail to be honest. Too much yeast, not enough sugar, I let it rise too long. But, as with anything, practice makes perfect, and eventually, Oven Fresh Babka became the next in my line of products. The moistest, rich, delicious Babka you will ever taste. I have people from all over the world, New York, LA, Israel, tell me there is no comparison.
As time went on, orders grew, my list of products grew, and I started an Instagram page to help reach new and current customers. Social media has truly changed the small business game. You reach people you’d never have reached before, and that is truly a wonderful thing, both for the business and the consumer.

I started this business as a young mom, just trying to fill my time with something I enjoyed and to bring in a little extra cash, it has turned into the greatest adventure, and I’m so grateful for that.

My Challah was featured on an MTV tv show, it’s used at many valley weddings, and Bar mitzvahs made a youtube video with Loanatik teaching the masses how to make Challah and caterers seek out my products when they truly want the best. I’m humbled by the outpouring of support from my community and feel excited about the future of Oven Fresh Challah.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Overall, it has been smooth. Of course, there have been disastrous moments where my dough didn’t rise, I ran out of flour, a customer wasn’t 100% happy, but thats with any business and you just have to learn to ride the waves, be confident in your product, and take each battle at a time. Remembering that any obstacle is temporary truly helped me get through any rough patches.

I’m blessed to have a very supportive family/ friend unit who consistently support me and believe in me. When I get down on myself for something that isn’t going right, they step in, lift my spirits, and remind me what Oven Fresh Challah is all about. Connection, community and the yummiest baked goods you’ll ever taste,

We’d love to hear more about your business.
So I am a baker first and foremost. I specialize in yeast doughs; Challahs, Babkas, and cinnamon buns. I also make chocolate chip cookies and a variety of bundt cakes. I keep my product list small because over the years ive learned what sells best and ive chosen to focus my energies on those few products, Technically you can walk into any local grocery store and buy cookies, but people choose to come to me for a reason. There is nothing like homemade. I choose every ingredient, and every product I make is filled with the best. I also love what I do, and that shows.

I’m proud of my products and my brand because the proof is in the… Babka? People keep coming back. My products are consistent, and they always wow a crowd.

My business is Oven Fresh Challah, but around town, I’m most definitely known as “the challah lady” and I dont mind one bit.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Phoenix is the perfect city for a business like mine! There are so many different types of people, and everyone is always on the hunt for the new “it” thing. When someone finds me (via a friend, the internet), they know they’ve found it.

My products also have no age limit. A 5-year-old and an 80-year-old can both equally enjoy homemade baked goods, and they do.

Pricing:

• Challah $6
• Babka $12 (Chocolate or Cinnamon)
• Chocolate Chip Cookies $12

Contact Info:

• Phone: 6023016170
• Email: Ovenfreshchallahaz@gmail.com
• Instagram: Ovenfreshchallah
• Facebook: Ovenfreshchallah

Image Credit:
Chrissy Blake

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