By Bandit Powell
Elm Staff Writer
Some people may wonder how a pastry shop ends up in an art studio, but for Charles Bennett – better known as Chef Brian – it makes sense to run his bakery out of the blue building that also houses The Skipjack Art Studios.
Before opening Brian’s Best Pastries on Cannon Street, Bennett owned a business in Philadelphia called Mr. Bubbles Seafood Truck. Bennett said that he was having trouble finding people to work for him, so he ended up selling the truck in 2009 and opening a pastry shop in Philadelphia.
So, how did Bennett end up in Chestertown?
When Bennett’s Earlville neighbors visited The Skipjack Art Studios, the building’s owners Tom and Betty Dietz asked if Bennett’s neighbors knew anyone who would be interested in renting the kitchen space in the studio.
“Both of them looked at each other and said ‘Charles’ at the same time,” Bennett said of his neighbors’ story.
After his neighbors came back with news of the available kitchen space, Bennett said he decided to bake some pecan bars and travel down to meet the couple in Chestertown.
“We hit it off right away and I could see the vision of me doing pastries out of here,” Bennett said.
While having food businesses in his building was not Dietz’s initial plan, Bennett is not the first to utilize the “tight little commercial kitchen” in the building.
“For a while, we had the Waterman’s Wife, which was a small seafood restaurant,” Dietz said.
Though he has been running his shop out of the side of 329 Canon Street since early July, Bennett’s current set-up is temporary.
“We’re pushing out the front of the building and it’ll become Brian’s Best Café and Pastries. So, I’ll be doing a bistro style lunch menu as well as breakfast,” Bennett said.
The remodeled space will include seating for 15 to 20 customers, Dietz said, and the renovation plans for the building have already been approved by the town’s Historic District Commission.
Bennett said that he plans to buy bread from other bakeries and local businesses once he makes it a café and pastry shop.
When asked why people should visit Brian’s Best Pastries, Dietz said that Bennett has the best pastries within a 50-mile radius.
“I’ve never liked scones before, but [Bennett’s] are really tasty,” Dietz said.
Bennett said that his favorite item to make is a flourless chocolate cognac torte, which requires using almond flour.
“It’s a hit every time,” Bennet said.
The bakery also has a tasting station, Bennett said, where customers can try available options before buying what they want.
Bennett warns that he runs out of stock quickly on Saturday mornings due to the farmers market, so customers should come early if they want a treat.
Bennett also offers a five percent discount for Washington College students who show a school ID.
“The general response [of Chestertown] is ‘We’re glad you’re here,” Bennett said. “I’m so grateful and thankful for that and for the support.”
Photo Caption: Charles “Chef Brian” Bennett of the new Cannon Street bakery.
Photo by Bandit Powell