LITTLE T AMERICAN BAKER ANNOUNCES NEW OWNERSHIP
One of Portland’s flagship bakeries is now under the leadership of a longtime employee and former head baker
PORTLAND, OR (August 31, 2023) —Iconic Portland bakery Little t American Baker is excited to announce new ownership. After 25 years of baking in Oregon, founder Tim Healea is passing the reins of the bakery famous for its baguettes, salt slabs, and seasonal pastries to longtime former employee and head baker Dillon DeBauche.
“I’ve worked with Dillon for more than 15 years, and he’s one of the most knowledgeable bakers I know — not to mention he’s just an overall great human being,” said Tim. “When I was starting to think of stepping away from the bakery, I was hoping that Dillon would take over and bring his talents back to Little t. I’m thrilled that it all worked out.”
Dillon has lived in Portland since 2003, and has more than 20 years of experience baking in North America and Europe, including 10 years at Little t. He began working towards owning his own bakery over five years ago, and was beginning to lose hope of owning his own business when Tim reached out with this opportunity. “I’ve always trusted Tim and admired his willingness to take risks, so I knew he would be supportive of my dreams for the bakery,” said Dillon.
A revamped café design and brand update are in the works, but the goals of Little t Baker will remain the same: Make the best bread and pastry fusing American and European traditions with the finest ingredients possible, using equal parts care and fun. Drawing on his previous role as the lead baker and mill research and development consultant at Camas Country Mill in Junction City, Oregon, Dillon is excited to bring in new local ingredients, especially local flours. “It’s incredibly important to me to use as much flour grown and stone-milled in Oregon and Washington as possible,” said Dillon. “Using local grains milled at local mills insures that we get the freshest and most flavorful flour, not to mention more variety than found in most places.” Other suppliers include Revel Meat Co., Rubinette Produce, and other growers and vendors that connect the bakery with the bounty of the Pacific Northwest.
Tim is now pursuing a new career in landscape design, and is currently working with a Portland-based design-build firm. A Southeast Portland resident, he’ll still be a customer of the bakery. “I want to thank the loyal customers and the neighborhood restaurant owners who welcomed and supported little to over the years,” said Tim. “It was such an honor to serve you. A bakery is really a community space, and I loved the community that Little t fostered. I’m so glad it’s continuing with Dillon’s vision.”
About Dillon DeBauche
Dillon DeBauche has been immersed in Portland’s culinary scene since 2003. He brings more than 20 years of baking experience, including culinary educations in Portland and Paris, France. His career has included baking and bakery consulting work in Portland, Austin, Texas; Australia, France, and China. He was the head baker of Little t American Baker for nearly 10 years before taking an educational opportunity as the lead baker and mill research and development consultant at Camas Country Mill in Junction City, Oregon.
About Little t American Baker
Opening on SE Division Street in 2008, Little t American Baker quickly set a new standard for baking excellence in Portland. Founded by owner Tim Healea, who previously worked at Pearl Bakery and Kenny & Zuke’s Delicatessen, Little t fused European baking traditions with a distinctly American sensibility, including a longtime commitment from its first days to sourcing and working with Oregon and Washington ingredients. The bakery’s breads and pastry can be found at Providore Fine Foods and restaurants across the region, and the café offers a wide selection of pastries, specialty breads, and other baked goods.
Media contact: Dillon DeBauche