Ben Rosairo and Nanda Wheeler’s journey to Ben’s Bread Tuscaloosa is a story of friendship, family, and a shared love of food that spans continents. Ben, from the UK, has a degree in piano performance, while Nanda, from Brazil, has a degree in social work, but despite their professional paths, both always followed their passion for baking.

 

Ben and Nanda came to Tuscaloosa because of their partners careers. Ben's Bread got it's name when Ben started selling bread at the local farmers market, while Nanda independantly sold breads, cookies, and cakes under her cottage license.

 

Their first graders, classmates at school, unknowingly sparked a life-changing connection. One day, they talked about how their parents baked bagels. When they got home and shared the conversation, Ben and Nanda decided to try working together at Ben’s farmers market tent. That experience built a strong friendship and revealed a shared passion for baking and business. What started as teamwork at the farmers market gradually grew into a shared dream: opening a bakery together.

 

Their combined skills—Ben’s sourdough bread expertise, Nanda’s experience running a small catering business in Brazil, and their creativity and dedication set the foundation. But Ben’s Bread Tuscaloosa only became possible thanks to the incredible support of the community through a Kickstarter project. The outpouring of love and encouragement showed them that people in Tuscaloosa were just as passionate about good bread as they were.

Today, every loaf, pastry, bagel, and treat reflects that journey: a story of connection, family, friendship, and the joy of sharing good food. Ben’s Bread Tuscaloosa isn’t just a bakery, it’s a community dream brought to life.