08/04/2025
JAPANESE TRADITIONS INSPIRE
WISCONSIN BAKER 🍞 🍞 🍞 TO BUILD BRIDGES
Calling all Wisconsin foodies! I recently had the chance to chat with Peter Chiconas, the passionate baker and owner behind Day Bread Bakers. Peter's journey to becoming a baker is just as compelling as his bread. After years in engineering, he found himself "baking for fulfillment while working 40 hours a week" in a career that was draining his spirit. He realized he wanted something different from life: “If I can pay my mortgage and make bread, I'm happy."
The result? A Japanese milk bread that makes the BEST French toast and grilled cheese you'll ever taste! Peter also makes unique treats like "cookie buns" (a.k.a. Melon Pan) and is planning to expand his offerings of authentic Japanese bakery items.
So why Japanese milk bread in Wisconsin? As Peter explained to me, it all started with his travels to Japan with his wife. On their honeymoon and subsequent trips, he fell in love with the incredible bakeries in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto—particularly their Shokupan (食パン), which translates to "Daily Bread."
Fun fact: Japanese milk bread has a fascinating origin story! After World War II, American soldiers occupying Japan missed their familiar sandwich bread from back home. Japanese bakers worked with them to create this uniquely soft, fluffy loaf that combines elements of both cultures. As Peter puts it, "it's a beautiful mashup" of American and Japanese baking traditions.
With his background in fine arts, blacksmithing, and engineering, Peter brings incredible attention to detail to his craft. Day Bread is seriously local! He uses organic Wisconsin wheat from Meadowlark Farm and Mill in Iowa County, European-style butter from Pine River Dairy in Manitowoc County, and honey from his family friend over at Viola's Honey in Milwaukee County. Everything is made without preservatives or synthetic chemicals.
What makes Day Bread Bakers truly special is a commitment to community. Customers can purchase bread for someone in need, no questions asked, through the "pay forward board". DBB also accepts food stamps at participating farmers markets, helping ensure everyone has access to quality food. It's an approach that shines through everything he does.
Want to try it yourself? Find Day Bread at these southeastern Wisconsin farmers markets:
📍 Thiensville Farmers Market - TUES, 9am-2pm
📍 Jackson Park Farmers Market - THURS, 3pm-6:30pm
📍 Waukesha Farmers' Market - SAT, 8am-12pm
📍 Brookfalls Farmer's Market - SUN, 10am-2pm
📍 Farmer's Market To Go - Wisconsin
Stop by, say hi to Peter, and be part of a growing community centered around good food and even better values! 🇯🇵 🍰 🥐
