Launching a business in a pandemic may seem like a leap of faith. But for Guy Hanuka, it was an affirmation of how he sees himself.
Like other professionals who identify themselves by their work, he’s a baker. Hanuka saw an opportunity in establishing a business that featured his specialty: modern Jewish breads and cakes, such as challah and babka.
“This is my calling,” said Hanuka, who is originally from Israel. He learned his craft from an artisan baker when he worked in Tel Aviv. He later helped set up and manage a bakery in Shanghai, China, before moving to the U.S. to gain a degree at Johnson & Wales University.
His business, Hanuka Group LLC, which is doing business as Buns Bakery, launched on April 26. He is now located at the Hope & Main commercial kitchen in Warren, and he sells his products through a website and farmers markets.
Initially, like many other bakers, he baked at home. Babka, a cake made of a soft, sweet dough wrapped around fillings such as chocolate and cinnamon, filled his home kitchen.
The bakery literally was launched with a warning from his wife.
“She said it was the babka or me,” Hanuka said.
Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Macdonald@PBN.com.