Bakery by the Yard

Introduction / Overview

Nestled in the heart of El Segundo, California, resides a truly unique culinary destination that elevates the concept of a neighborhood bakery to an award-winning art form: Bakery by the Yard. This is not your standard corner sweet shop; it is the passion project and culinary vision of the nationally acclaimed and highly decorated Chef Sherry Yard. Known affectionately in the media as "L.A.'s Sweetheart" for her warm personality and incomparably creative desserts, Chef Yard brings decades of world-class experience to this South Bay location.

Bakery by the Yard is best described as an "elevated neighborhood bakery" that operates primarily as a made-to-order and pop-up concept, deeply focused on celebrating everyday moments and special holidays with extraordinary flavor. Chef Yard, a multiple James Beard Award winner, cookbook author, and former stalwart of the Wolfgang Puck empire, infuses her baking with her celebrated recipes and a commitment to fresh, farmers market ingredients. The result is a selection of baked goods—from cookies and cupcakes to grand custom catering orders—that have garnered the highest praise from critics and, most importantly, local patrons. One customer simply described the experience as "MAGIC," while another stated, "I LOVE IT," capturing the high level of delight the bakery consistently delivers.

This establishment serves the greater Los Angeles area, particularly the South Bay, with a focus on special event catering, custom orders, and hands-on experiences through cooking classes with Chef Sherry and her friends. It represents a rare opportunity for California residents to experience world-class pastry and culinary expertise right in their local community. For anyone looking for gourmet quality, bespoke desserts, or an unforgettable baking education, Bakery by the Yard in El Segundo stands out as a premier choice.

Location and Accessibility

Bakery by the Yard is conveniently situated in the vibrant El Segundo area, a central hub in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. The bakery's physical location allows it to efficiently serve customers across the greater Southern California area, though its primary operations focus on pre-ordered pickup and delivery arrangements, reflecting its unique "Made to Order + Pop-UP Bakery" model.

The specific address is 118 Sierra St Unit A, El Segundo, CA 90245, USA. El Segundo is well-positioned with excellent access to major freeways, making pickup a relatively straightforward process for patrons traveling from nearby areas like Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance, as well as the wider LA region. The location is an integral part of the local El Segundo community, offering a dedicated spot for customers to collect their pre-arranged baked goods.

As it primarily operates on a special order basis—requiring 48 hours notice for many items—customers are encouraged to complete their purchase online and indicate their specific collection day, date, and time. This system ensures that all products are prepared fresh for the moment of pickup, maintaining the quality and artistry associated with a James Beard Award-winning chef. While it may not have the traditional walk-in counter of a typical bakery, the location is a critical point for distributing Chef Yard’s acclaimed desserts to the California community.

Services Offered

Bakery by the Yard’s service model is tailored to deliver high-end, custom culinary experiences, distinguishing it from mass-market bakeries. Their offerings focus on bespoke production, education, and large-scale event support.

• Made-to-Order Desserts and Pastries: The core service is providing freshly baked goods, which are made to order to ensure the highest quality. This includes everyday favorites like cookies and cupcakes, as well as more intricate custom items, all prepared with the use of farmers market ingredients.

• Custom Catering and Large-Scale Events: The bakery specializes in custom catering for large events, corporate functions, and personal celebrations. Chef Yard’s extensive experience, including crafting desserts for prestigious events like the Academy Awards Governor's Ball and the Grammy Awards, informs their exceptional capacity for large-scale, high-quality catering.

• Cooking Classes with Sherry + Friends: Bakery by the Yard offers unique, hands-on cooking and baking classes led by Chef Sherry Yard herself or in collaboration with other culinary professionals. These VIP classes provide an intimate learning experience for enthusiasts, covering various topics like holiday baking, chocolate, and other gourmet subjects.

• Pop-Up Bakery Events: The bakery regularly hosts pop-up events, especially around holidays and during local food festivals (such as the Manhattan Beach Food & Wine), offering a chance for customers to buy baked goods without a pre-order. These events often feature standout gourmet sweets and seasonal delights.

• Special Orders and Holiday Offerings: They are a go-to source for treats celebrating specific holidays and major life moments, encouraging customers to email for special requests to ensure every celebration is perfectly catered to. Special orders generally require 48 hours of advance notice for collection.

Features / Highlights

• Chef Sherry Yard's Expertise: The bakery is owned and operated by Chef Sherry Yard, a recipient of three prestigious James Beard Awards and an inductee into the Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America. This world-renowned culinary background guarantees a level of quality and creativity rarely found in a local bakery.

• Farm-to-Table Focus: Bakery by the Yard commits to utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers markets in their award-winning recipes, ensuring vibrant flavor and supporting local California agriculture.

• Celebrity-Level Pastries: Chef Yard's pastry creations were long-time staples at the biggest Hollywood galas, including the Academy Awards, Grammys, and Emmys. This means local customers are getting desserts with a true celebrity pedigree.

• Educational Opportunities: The provision of intimate cooking classes offers a unique highlight, allowing the public to learn award-winning baking techniques directly from a culinary master.

• Bespoke, Made-to-Order Model: Operating primarily as a made-to-order concept ensures that all baked goods are exceptionally fresh and custom-tailored to the customer's specifications, offering a truly personalized culinary product.

Contact Information

For special inquiries, custom orders, or booking a class with Chef Yard, local California customers can use the following details:

Address: 118 Sierra St Unit A, El Segundo, CA 90245, USA

Email: bakerybytheyard@gmail.com

Note: The official website is the primary channel for placing orders and indicating desired pickup times for all made-to-order items. A phone number is not publicly listed and the best way to connect is via email or through the online ordering platform.

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Bakery by the Yard is choosing a slice of culinary excellence that is often reserved for five-star restaurants and exclusive Hollywood events. For the discerning customer in California, what is most worth choosing here is the guarantee of quality that comes with Chef Sherry Yard’s name. This is a chance to move beyond standard, mass-produced sweets and indulge in desserts crafted with award-winning precision and the freshest local ingredients.

The biggest draw is undoubtedly the custom order and catering service. Whether planning a small family gathering or a major corporate party, having a James Beard Award-winning chef oversee the dessert menu ensures a spectacular and memorable finish to any event. Items ordered for catering, such as just-baked cookies or custom cupcakes, reflect an uncompromising attention to detail and flavor. Patrons should take advantage of the 48-hour notice window to commission a truly bespoke dessert for their next celebration.

Furthermore, the value proposition extends to the educational aspect. The opportunity to attend a cooking class—a "VIP class"—with Chef Yard or her featured culinary friends is a worthwhile investment for any Southern California foodie or aspiring baker. These classes offer insights into techniques that have been refined over a career working at the pinnacle of the hospitality industry.

While the bakery does not operate like a traditional retail storefront, the "Pop-Up" format is worth watching for. These events provide a periodic opportunity to sample seasonal products and specialty items without having to place a large custom order. Keep an eye on the bakery’s online presence for announcements about these limited-time events, which are often the best way to experience a spontaneous moment of the "MAGIC" that local customers rave about. In essence, choosing Bakery by the Yard means choosing a superior, personalized, and critically acclaimed dessert experience right here in the heart of the South Bay.

Bakery by the Yard

118 Sierra St Unit A, El Segundo, CA 90245, USA