Oakland residents are gearing up to welcome a new neighborhood bakery, Forma Bakery, slated to open its doors this spring at 4920 Telegraph Avenue. The father-son duo, Thomas and Jackson Schnetz, are behind the venture with roots deeply entrenched in the community. As per a recent Eater report, Forma Bakery aims to serve an array of baked delights, including sourdough loaves and Mexican-inspired conchas.
According to the Eater article, Jackson Schnetz brings his experience from Fournée in Berkeley, where he previously ran the viennoiserie program, to lead production at Forma. He's excited "to fully take advantage of French baking techniques and combine them with how I’ve grown up in these Mexican restaurants," he told Eater. One unique offering eagerly anticipated by locals is the ash-flecked concha, a recipe Jackson picked up during a stage at Enrique Olvera’s Criollo in Oaxaca. Seasonal flavors like sweet corn conchas are also on the roster as the bakery aims to cater to varying palates.
While still deciding on their coffee partner, Forma's drink menu will keep things straightforward, focusing on simple espresso machine-made drinks. This mimics the personal cappuccino and croissant expeditions that Jackson and his dad have enjoyed together. This detail was highlighted in the Eater feature, capturing the essence of their approach to combining culinary tradition and family heritage.
The bakery is designed as a counter-service and takeout outfit with just a few benches outside, catering to the grab-and-go crowd. Jackson Schnetz, as he mentioned on Instagram, is determined to make Forma Bakery feel like a personal reunion to the area where he desires "to eventually spend my life living." The establishment is adorned with Mexican aesthetics inspired by Mexico City and Oaxaca, aiming to create an inviting and rustic atmosphere reminiscent of the family's other eateries like Xolo and La Esquinita.
With its official opening just around the corner, Forma Bakery is set to commence operations from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., providing the Temescal neighborhood with a fresh destination for croissants, conchas, and the comfort of a family-run bakehouse right on the block where another family legacy, Doña Tomás, once thrived.
