Let's Break Bread Club is a free bread club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Once or twice a month, members meet at a small local business, set out the bread they brought, and spend the evening tasting, talking, and meeting new people. Bread is the reason to show up. Community is the point.
How a meetup works
- Join for free on this site, then RSVP to the meetup you want. Joining and RSVPing are two separate steps.
- Bring a loaf. Bake one, or buy one you love from a Charlotte bakery. Butter, a spread, or a good olive oil is a bonus.
- Label it. Write what it is and any allergens on a post-it at the door. Gluten free, dairy free, and vegan bakers are all welcome.
- Support the host. Buy a drink or a snack. The host opens their doors for us, usually on a quieter weeknight.
- Check in when you arrive. Tap "I'm here" on the meetup page to enter that night's bread-themed raffle.
Every meetup has a theme, posted with the meetup details and on Instagram. Members can see who's going and what they're bringing, so the table ends up with more than nine sourdoughs and no butter.
Who it's for
Home bakers working on their first sourdough starter. Seasoned bakers who want feedback on crumb and crust. People who never bake but know exactly which Charlotte bakery makes the best baguette. And anyone who wants a low-key way to meet people around a table. No baking experience is needed. More than 60 Charlotte bread lovers have joined so far.
Founded by Pastry Chef Sam Ward
Sam Ward is the Head Pastry Chef at L'Ostrica in Charlotte. She previously ran Wentworth & Fenn, a Charlotte gourmet bakery. She started the club around a simple belief: bread is better shared, and local businesses deserve a full room on a quieter night.
"Food is about community and bringing people together. What's a better way to get back to the community than breaking bread together? We all need to focus on the little joys in life. Bread being one of them!"
Sam Ward, founder
Where we meet
Meetups move around Charlotte so each one supports a different small business, like a brewery, coffee shop, or wine bar. The next meetup is Bread Club: First Official Meet Up on Monday, October 26 at Vaulted Oak Brewing.
- Vaulted Oak Brewing, 3726 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA
Own a small business in Charlotte and want a room full of bread lovers? Host a meetup.
Questions
The bread club FAQ covers cost, RSVPs, guests, and allergies. You can also follow @lets_break_bread_clt on Instagram for meetup news.
Press and contact
General questions: sam@letsbreakbread.club
Media: Evan Diamond, evan@charlottefoodies.co