We are kicking off the new year featuring a new wholesale partner— Biscuit Bender! Based here in San Francisco, Biscuit Bender is a one person show, specializing in delicious small batch biscuits. We interviewed founder, Biscuit Queen themselves, Van Dao to share their story with the Andytown community. Read on to learn more and be sure to visit Biscuit Bender for some amazing biscuits and coffee!
Please introduce yourself and tell us how you ended up in the cafe/restaurant world.
My name is Van and culinary work is my second career, the 1st being veterinary medicine. But it was no accident, I always wanted to work in the culinary field, but was persuaded down several different routes before returning to my true love. Eating is fundamental to existing, eating well is fundamental to good living and that's how I live!
What makes Biscuit Bender special and different from other cafes and restaurants?
There will be only one Biscuit Bender, run by one biscuit elf, and this biscuit elf has been running the entire show solo since 2011. Hence, my motto is "we stay SMALL to grow BIG flavors" I firmly believe the top quality can only be maintained the the smallest quantity. And Biscuit Bender is the only bakery specializing in biscuits, with the entire menu built around the biscuit.
How do you approach hospitality and customer service?
My approach is a community approach, with real human to human interactions. For that reason, no one can order for my biscuits to be delivered. I have not, and will not participate in 3rd party food delivery. As far as I'm concerned, it has contributed to tearing the human social fabric. At the end of the day, if any minimal profits are made, it comes at a great cost to society and the environment.
Share one random fact about Biscuit Bender.
Biscuit Bender has assumed 3 different meanings. Initially it was supposed to be Biscuit Boy, but after a name search, it revealed that 3 different parties already laid claim to the name, most notably Dwight Yokam who has a frozen food line here in CA. So I defaulted to the name my former chef (Brenda, of Brenda French Soul Food fame) suggested: Biscuit Queen, as a reference to my own queeny background, lol! After running a name search, it revealed it was also taken, in Spanish as Galletas Reina, from a company in Puerto Rico! I was stunned and in disbelief, but my lawyers said the courts will consider the translation and it's not the legal trouble I want to dealt with, especially as a nascent biz. So after racking my brain and feeling heartbroken, I thought back to one of the film shorts at the Frameline Gay Film festival and remembered a short titled "Gender Bender" and I'm like, that's it!!! In the same vein as bending the traditional idea of what defines gender, I am also bending the traditional idea of a simple biscuit, with flavors such as cinnamon bun, Mexican Hot chocolate and double bacon maple biscuits. The name wasn't taken so I jumped on it. A friend pointed out it can also mean going on a food or booze bender, so people can go on a biscuit bender! Finally an avatar fan pointed out that the Bender of an element is the master of that element, and so I was crowned the Biscuit Bender!
What is your favorite Andytown coffee?
Andy's Blend! Truly a crowd pleaser and very easy to drink and pleasing on the palate!
Where is Biscuit Bender located?
1234 Indiana Street San Francisco California 94107
What are your socials/website?
