Askatu Bakery
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| Askatu Bakery | |
|---|---|
 | |
_-_170.jpg) The bakery's exterior in 2022 | |
 Interactive map of Askatu Bakery | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Location | 2209 4th Avenue, Seattle, King, Washington, 98121, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°36′53″N 122°20′36″W / 47.6147°N 122.3433°W |
Askatu Bakery (sometimes Askatu Bakery and Cafe)[1] is a Latino- and woman-owned bakery in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, in the U.S. state of Washington.[2] As an "allergen-free" bakery, Askatu offers gluten-free and vegan options, and avoids eggs, nuts, and wheat. Established by Estela Martinez in 2019.
The Latino-[3] and woman-owned[4] bakery is located in downtown Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. Noms magazine says the cafe offers a "unique blend of Basque and American" pastries, as well as coffee and tea.[5] Askatu is known for its gluten-free options and avoids use of xanthan or guar gums.[6] KNKX has described the business as an "allergen-free" bakery which avoids eggs, nuts, and wheat.[7] Seattle's Child magazine has said Askatu is "free of the top nine allergens".[8]
Askatu is associated with Liberated Foods by the same owner. In 2021, Lindsey Kirschman of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said the bakery "doles out goods alongside Liberated Foods, LLC, a minority- and woman-owned small business that specializes in making allergen-free baked goods and mixes to order.[9]
History
Askatu is owned by head baker Estela Marie Degr Martinez,[10] who initially operated the business at farmers' markets in 2015, and later opened a brick and mortar bakery in October 2019.[11] She focused on allergen-free foods because of her family members with food allergies.[12] Martinez also owns the affiliated company Liberated Foods, which she started following some encouragement from her daughter's classmate's mother.[13] Liberated Foods also specializes in allergen-friendly baked goods and breads.[2]
Askatu has been a vendor at the farmers' market in the University District.[6] According to the Seattle Metropolitan, Askatu is "EnviroStars-certified, a City of Seattle program that recognizes green businesses and provides free sustainability tools and resources".[14][15] The bakery is part of the Intentionalist network, which seeks to increase awareness of minority-owned small businesses in the region.[4][16]
Askatu has participated in Seattle Restaurant Week.[17] In 2023, the business participated in the Downtown Renton Chocolate Crawl.[18]
Reception
_-_172.jpg)
Lindsey Kirschman included the bakery in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's 2021 list of the 14 best confectioneries in Seattle for holiday sweets and treats.[9] In 2022, Sabra Boyd of Eater Seattle wrote, "Askatu's gluten-free baguettes boast a crunchy Maillard crust and beautiful crumb when sliced; a precise mix of proteins create the texture that every nostalgic celiac or gluten-intolerant person longs for. (This might sound like over-the-top praise, but for many, life without bread can feel limiting.)"[6] Boyd, Dylan Joffe, and Maggy Lehmicke included the bakery in a 2022 overview of "where to eat fantastic gluten-free food in Seattle",[19] and Harry Cheadle included Askatu in Eater Seattle's 2023 list of 18 of the city's "most perfect" bakeries.[20] Noms magazine included Askatu in a 2023 list of Seattle's twelve best bakeries.[5]
