Q. If you had to do something other than baking, what would it be and why?

A. I would coach baseball. I played through college and would really like to coach at that level.

Mike Zakowski

Q. Why are you a baker?

Photo by Jeffrey Klopatek, courtesy of the Guild

A. Live to bake, bake to live, bake for life!

Q. Where do you currently work?

A. Artisan Bakers, Sonoma, Calif.

Q. How did you get your start in baking?

A. I fell in love with bread dough the first time I touched a beautiful baguette dough. It was so supple, so soft, so alive.

Q. What training/education have you received?

A. On the job and practice, practice, practice.

Q. How would you describe your style or approach to baking?

A. Handmade and organic with attention to detail.

Q. What drove you to compete for Baking Team USA?

A. I wanted to further master my skills in bread baking.

Q. How has training for Bread Bakers Guild Team USA changed your baking style/method?

A. It has enhanced and advanced my baking skill in an evolving progression.

Q. What was the most rewarding/beneficial aspect of training for Baking Team USA?

A. The knowledge and discipline it taught me in the baking process.

Q. What was your reaction when you found out you had been selected as one of the final three to compete in the Louis Lesaffre Cup?

A. Excellent, totally stoked!

Q. What are the chances for Baking Team USA in the Louis Lesaffre Cup?

A. Good.

Q. What are your plans for after the competition?

A. To continue doing what I do — baking bread and living the good life in Sonoma.

Q. What words of advice do you have for people wanting to compete for the next Bread Bakers Guild Team USA?

A. Do it!

Q. What do you do when you're not working/training?

A. Cycling, growing food, canning, cooking, living life in paradise.

Q. If you had to something other than baking, what would it be? Why?

A. Food related, cooking, growing, canning, because food is what we are. “You are what you eat.”

Q. Have you seen any good movies lately?

A. 180 Degrees South, The Linguist

Q. What's on your iPod?

A. Looner, Ziggy Marley, Cage the Elephant, the Dead Weather, Silversun Pickups, and Minus the Bear.