In the warmth of her home kitchen in Lima, Ohio, Fi is preparing another batch of her signature sourdough loaves. But Fi’s micro-bakery is about more than just baking—it’s about family, love, and the joy of sharing homemade food with the people who matter most.
Nine months ago, Fi Ambrister sold her first sourdough loaf, but her passion for baking began long before that, rooted in childhood memories spent in the kitchen with her Nana. “My biggest baking inspiration and my favorite baker is my Nana,” Fi shares. “I have the best memories of baking with her my entire childhood, and this truly sparked my passion.”
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Now, that passion has grown into something much larger. Baking has become a way for Fi to care for her own family—especially her two young kids. “At the end of the day, it's all about sharing something I made with the people I love,” she says, highlighting how her children have become an important part of this journey.
For Fi, her kids are a constant presence in the kitchen, helping where they can and always eager to taste the results. They even help with collecting eggs from the family’s backyard chickens, which play a key role in her baking process. “Being able to intertwine my passion for chicken raising as well as baking—all while being a stay-at-home mom to two babies—I found that my two passions can work together quite seamlessly."
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A Family-Centered Life
Fi’s micro-bakery is built around her family. Every loaf of bread is a product of their life together—the eggs her children help gather, the time she spends in the kitchen, and the moments they share as a family over the finished product.
Though her bakery is small, it’s incredibly personal. The eggs from her chickens are a key ingredient, and her kids help in small ways around the kitchen.
Baking with Heart
For Fi, every loaf is baked with love and care, whether it’s the first sourdough she ever made or one of her more experimental recipes. “My first sourdough recipe was your typical original sourdough loaf,” she recalls, “and my first discard recipe was brown sugar pretzel bites.”
Now, baking has become an expression of love, not just for her family but for her community as well. Each loaf is crafted with attention to detail, using the freshest ingredients, including the eggs from her backyard chickens. “When you start with the best ingredients, like organic chicken feed, you can taste the difference in every bite,” she says.
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Family at the Core of It All
At the center of Fi’s bakery is her family. Her children, always by her side in the kitchen, are a major part of why she continues to bake. Baking has become more than just a business for Fi; it’s a way to bond with her children and teach them the values of hard work, creativity, and sharing.
Her backyard chickens, too, are part of this family. One in particular stands out—Gas Station, Fi’s favorite hen. “She has been my broody mama that has raised about three different clutches of eggs for me." Gas Station is more than just a chicken; she’s a vital part of the micro bakery’s process, providing fresh eggs that Fi’s kids proudly gather each morning.
A Simple Life with Big Meaning
For Fi, this is what it’s all about—baking for the people she loves and sharing the simple joys of homemade food with her family.
“Just do it,” Fi advises to anyone considering starting their own micro bakery. “Put yourself out there, and you’re gonna be so happy when you look back and see how much you’ve done.” It’s advice that’s reflective of her journey—turning her passion for baking and raising her family into something that brings joy to others.
Watch our short feature video of Fi's Bread below.
For more updates on F’s baking journey and life with her chickens, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: @Fi_Bread.
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