At Unique LA, I was on the search for good presents for my fellow humans, when my friend stumbled upon a case of tasty treats for dogs. Since I don't have a dog, initially I was on my way to the next booth when I noticed how adorable the treats from Bobbi + Bambi's Gourmet Bakery were. My friend bought a few for her pup, and I couldn't help but feature them after speaking with the owner Minyoung. Not only are the treats gourmet, they are also gluten-free, grain-free, wheat-free, soy-free, corn-free, preservative-free, salt-free, and sugar-free for dogs with or without allergies.
Take a look at the interview, then enter to win one of THREE huge bakery boxes filled with treats! Also, take advantage of the promo on any of the pretty treats from the Bobbi + Bambi's Gourmet Bakery shop.
********************
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
Hello! First and foremost, thank you so much Vintage Zest for featuring Bobby + Bambi’s Gourmet Bakery! We are so humbled and honored to tell our story to your awesome readers!
My name is Minyoung Morita and I am the baker and owner of Bobby +Bambi’s Gourmet bakery! Mike Morita, my husband and partner, and I launched Bobby + Bambi’s Gourmet Bakery on February 1, 2014! We strive to provide dog owners with high quality, healthy, and woof-licious handmade artisan dog treats! Bobby + Bambi’s treats are gluten-free, grain-free, wheat-free, soy-free, corn-free, preservative-free, salt-free, and sugar-free! Our treats are made in Los Angeles and made with human-grade, organic ingredients.
I am a mom of two Pomeranians and a Maine Coon Cat! I have been researching holistic pet nutrition, cooking meals, and baking for my pets for the past six years. I am currently on my way to receiving a
Clinical Pet Nutritionist Certificate, with a focus on holistic nutrition, by the end of the year. I have a giant passion and love for animals! I truly believe great nutrition is the secret to long living pets!
Where did the name of your store come from?
Bobby + Bambi’s Gourmet Bakery is named after my two very fluffy Pomeranians; Bobby and Bambi! Bobby is a nine year old crème Pom who loves belly rubs, eating treats, and riding in his stroller (Bobby sometimes can’t walk because he has a luxating patella)!
Bambi is a six years old sable Pom who loves playing catch, massages, and foraging her special treats! Our dog bakery came into fruition because of Bobby and Bambi’s health issues and sensitivities to a lot of food ingredients.
Why did you start making goods for Bobby + Bambi’s Dog Bakery?
During the first few years of Bobby and Bambi’s lives, they both suffered from severe external and internal food allergies. Back then, I had no idea dogs were capable of having food allergies. The only thing I knew I could do was take Bobby and Bambi to their Veterinarian.
Bobby and Bambi visited their vet two to three times a month in hopes to find a solution to their never ending problems. Bobby often had severe reactions after he ate his meals. One evening after Bobby ate his dinner; he was shaking and vomiting uncontrollably! I immediately rushed him to the ER. The Veterinarians performed an emergency endoscopy and found Bobby had severe internal inflammation and was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Bambi, on the other hand, had severe skin issues. At one point, it was so bad she was licking herself raw and started losing fur all over her body. At this point, I started questioning their diets, but was assured time and time again that wasn't the cause of their issues.
It was heartbreaking to see my dogs suffer every day. I decided to take matters into my own hands and did immense research on the pet food industry through books, journals, and articles written by holistic veterinarians and nutritionists. The answers I’ve been looking for began to surface.
The root of their ongoing problems was, in fact, their diet. Commercial pet foods and treats are highly processed with imposter proteins, unhealthy fillers, and a lot of ingredients you are not able to pronounce. I was reading the ingredients from Bobby and Bambi’s canned food and said to them, “If I don’t want to eat this, why should you guys ”? My research found a lot of dogs are sensitive to gluten, wheat, grains, soy, poultry, and complex carbohydrates. I was just floored because the prescription “Doctor recommended” foods and treats I was giving to our dogs had all the allergy causing ingredients. That was when I started formulating my own dog food and treats. I, as a pet parent, wanted to know exactly what my dogs were eating.
After just a few weeks of feeding Bobby and Bambi home-cooked meals and treats made of organic lean proteins, organic fruits, organic vegetables, and Omega’s we noticed a significant difference in their energy levels, their coats became thicker and shinier (all of Bambi's fur grew back and more!), and their overall well-being dramatically improved. For the first time, Bobby and Bambi were excited for meal times and couldn't get enough of their new treats! After 6 months on their new diet, I realized how beneficial proper nutrition was for animals. Even our Veterinarian was amazed how healthy and bright eyed they looked. Their yearly blood work showed dramatic improvements and they were finally healthy, happy dogs.
Not only did we see improvement in our own dogs, we saw major improvements in dogs and cats we have rescued over the years. It was just amazing how something as simple as giving an animal proper nutrition can dramatically change and rehabilitate their health and well-being.
Mike and I knew we had something special on our hands when family, friends, and friends of friends began to asking me to bake treats for their dogs. They would rave about how much their dogs loved the delicious homemade treats and preferred them over their previous favorites!
What is your favorite item?
Bobby’s favorite dog bakery treat is the Apple Pup-Pie! He will eat half of it and hide the rest in his bed for later. He will guard it for hours so Bambi won’t steal it!
Bambi’s favorite dog bakery treat is the Coconut + Quinoa CoCo Macaroon! Bambi can smell a CoCo macaroon from a mile away! When she does, she jumps for joy and gives me her saddest “please, can I have a CoCo Macaroon” puppy dog eyes!
What is your most popular item?
Bobby + Bambi’s Gourmet Bakery’s most popular item is the Apple Pup-Pie! Doggies give our Pup-pies two paws up! We definitely get a lot of oohs!, ahhs!, and tail wags over our Pup-Pies! Our two-legged customers love the Apple Pup-pie because they love the lattice top and secretly want to eat it for themselves!
Where do you get the inspiration for your work?
Bobby and Bambi inspire me every day. When I’m creating new product they will let me know if it’s a two-paws up treat or not! Superfoods inspire me as well! I’m constantly on the lookout for new superfoods that can provide the best nutrition benefits for dogs. Our treats are not only yummy in the tummy, but serve nutritional purposes as well. We carefully select ingredients that have loads of antioxidants, Omega’s, help with arthritis, promote skin and coat, promote digestion, eye health, etc.
What makes your store unique?
Bobby + Bambi’s Gourmet bakery is unique because We LOVE dogs! In fact, We LOVE all animals!
We understand the value of High Quality Ingredients and how it can benefit your dog(s)! Bobby + Bambi’s uses only the highest human-grade ingredients! We value your dog(s)’s health and well being. Our motto is, “If we don’t want to eat it, why should your dog”?
Bobby + Bambi’s long term goal is dedicated to giving back to all the dogs that aren’t fortunate to be in loving homes. We will be launching “Bobby + Bambi’s Paw It Forward” Campaign in 2015. (More information regarding this campaign below)
What is the toughest part about making your goods/your artistic process?
The toughest part of our process is making allergy-free products look cute and delicious! Especially the frosting! We do not use yogurt chips, white chocolate chips, and/or paraffin wax for any of our icings and frostings. Coming up with alternative ways of decorating that stays true to our brand philosophy was and still is a challenge.
Do you take custom orders?
Bobby + Bambi’s Gourmet bakery caters Birthday Paw-ties in the Los Angeles and Orange County. We have a minimum order amount plus meet up or delivery charge. We require pet parents to contact us at least two weeks in advance. We will also be launching birthday paw-ty packages on our website so pet parents living outside of the LA and OC area can order paw-ty decorations and treats! There are no minimums for online orders. Please e-mail Paw-ty@bobbyandbambi.com for birthday paw-ty catering inquires.
Where can I see more of your work and buy a gift?
Website: www.bobbyandbambi.com
Facebook: /bobbyandbambi
Twitter: @bobbyandbambis
Pinterest: /bobbyandbambis
Instagram: @bobbyandbambisdogbakery
Are you going to be at any shows soon, so I can see your work in person and say hello?
Bobby + Bambi’s Gourmet bakery will be at the following events:
Doggie Street Festival Los Angeles
July 20, 2014 @ Westfield Century City
For more information, please visit www.doggiestreetfestival.org
Holiday Pet Expo
December 6th, 2014 @ The Fairplex
For more information, please visit www.holidaypetexpo.com
Events are added throughout the year.
Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or visit our website for our latest event schedule!
Anything else to add?
One of the reasons why we created Bobby + Bambi’s Dog Bakery is to help rescue organizations with funding and anything they need to carry out and continue their paw-mazing work! Over the years, Mike and I have been rescuing and rehabilitating dogs and cats. We were fortunate enough to find homes for them and know how much hard work and funds go into helping animals in need. We will be launching Bobby + Bambi’s Paw it Forward Campaign in 2015 where we will partner up with a rescue group every month to promote their rescue, feature the rescue’s animals up for adoptions, and donate a percentage of sales to the rescue. If you would like to nominate a rescue, please do so and why at Pawitforward@bobbyandbambi.com
Bobby + Bambi’s Gourmet Bakery will be launching a pet lifestyles blog with a focus on pet nutrition in late 2014/early 2015!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about Bobby + Bambi’s Gourmet Bakery!
********************
I just adore these treats! If they were made for humans, I would be the first in line at the bakery. In the meantime, I know your pups will enjoy them, so head on over to the store! :) But first, let me give you a discount code that gives you 10% off anything. Enter WOOF10 to save until the end of the year!
Now for the giveaway! Minyoung and Mike are giving away three amazing bakery boxes! Each winner will receive a bakery box filled with: Apple Pup-pie, Coco + Quinoa Macaroon, Peanut Butter + Carrot Pup-cake, Granola Bar-k, Blueberry Doggie Doughnut, and a biscuit sampler!
Use the widget below to enter for 2 of the prizes, THEN enter on this Facebook post for the chance to win one more box!
Being a dog lover, this post really appeals to me! What a great sounding bakery. I'm disappointed my CA trip does not coincide with the Doggie Street Festival in Los Angeles.
ReplyDeleteThe pup-pies are adorable, and I know my dog would love them =]
ReplyDelete