Artisanal Mastery: bread and bounty

An image of a rich, flakey croissant caught my eye, leaving me intrigued by the taste and the artist behind the masterpiece. The social media post did just as it had intended and lured me in for more than just a bite. Don and Kitty Speranza at Crippen Creek Farm are the chefs' extraordinaire behind the tasty images that caught my attention on a Puget Island Gardens post.

The Speranzas have received a cottage license from Washington state, allowing them to sell their baked goods to the public at unique venues that offer pop-up opportunities, such as Puget Island Garden. They will be featuring authentic bagels, focaccia, sourdough loaves, Kitty’s cinnamon rolls, and, of course, the newest artistry of croissants. There is no guarantee what will be available as it’s more of a “chef’s choice” as to what will be available at the pop up an any given day but I guarantee it will be delicious and delightful!

This isn’t the first adventure of the Speranzas, who came to Skamokawa Valley in 2004. They own Crippen Creek Farm, a little piece of heaven nestled at the far end of Middle Valley. When asked about the development of the farm, Don gives full credit to his wonderful neighbors who got him through the initial years of his adventure which began after a 27-year law enforcement career in Portland. “Had we researched, I would have scared myself.” They came to the valley to retire and start a bed and breakfast; twenty years later, they nurtured the land and soul on their farm and with their culinary delights.

What started as an open meadow of grass is now a farming oasis that has nurtured livestock, fostered their love of the land, welcomed guests in their former Bed and Breakfast, and provided delicious treats from bakery goods to pasta. When the pandemic came, they closed the Bed and Breakfast, turning their energy towards building a vacation home. That recent addition, known as the Roadhouse at Crippen Creek, is a beautifully designed three-bedroom retreat that can be found on AirBnB and VRBO. From dairy cows to goats and chickens, they’ve raised them all over the last twenty years. Their love of farm life began from humble roots, as neither were born agriculturists but had a love for the land and the food it produced. They were seeking refuge from the busy life in Portland where they also had a catering company for ten years, Mangiamo! Life on the farm brought them the peace they were seeking but grew into a different type of work with two hoop houses growing over fifty tomato plants, eggplants, peppers, and herbs, as well as an orchard brimming with sweet-tart cherries and apples. Their fifteen secluded acres are a passion project they love sharing with visitors.

Don and Kitty do what they love: entertaining, cooking, and teaching classes. “What we love is bringing people together through food to nurture one another.” Bread isn’t their only culinary masterpiece. Don’s Italian heritage has a depth of knowledge when it comes to growing and preparing tomatoes for his homemade pasta dishes. He loves to share his knowledge with others by teaching cooking classes and will be showcased at Little Island Creamery this Saturday, June 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Students will learn to make traditional egg pasta and southern Italian pasta. Teaching and cooking are deep-rooted passions and if you have a specific cooking class you’re interested in, the Speranza’s would love to share their art.

As an artist in the kitchen, Don has perfected the art while enjoying an ancient craft, “it is a solitary, meditative activity that I’m proud to be a part of. And it feeds the world.” As for the croissants, they have been the most challenging but, after sampling, you will see he’s got the technique down to an art. Kitty is just as talented, which can be seen in her fiber art with incredible tapestries decorating their home and the Roadhouse. The pair have created a sanctuary at Crippen Creek that is rejuvenating to the spirit.

Find more information on the Roadhouse, cooking classes, or what’s growing on the farm on the

Speranza’s website: http://www.crippencreek.com. You can also contact Little Island Creamery to sign up for cooking classes and visit the Puget Island Gardens for a bakery pop-up market on July 21.