10 Years of Bread & Belonging | Or Amsalam Reflects on Lodge Bread Co.’s Next Chapter

A bakery that shaped a community. A chef rooted in heritage. A decade of craft, care, and connection.

In this episode of On The Pass, host Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Or Amsalam, chef and co-founder of Lodge Bread Co., one of Los Angeles’ most influential artisan bakeries.

Lodge Bread Co. is known for its naturally leavened sourdough, whole grains, wood-fired dishes, Middle Eastern flavors, and a community-first approach that has defined LA’s modern food culture. Now celebrating its 10-year anniversary and newly expanded Culver City flagship, Lodge continues to deepen its roots — proving that bread, when made with intention, is more than food. It’s belonging.

In this conversation, Or opens up about:
• His Israeli–Moroccan heritage and early food memories
• The evolution of Lodge Bread Co. from 2015 to 2025
• Why patience, fermentation, and failure fuel creativity
• How community shaped their expansion
• What dish made him think “I wish I created that”
• Leadership, growth, and the future of neighborhood bakeries
• The philosophy behind great bread — and great hospitality

If you’re searching for chef interviews, artisan bread stories, LA bakery culture, culinary inspiration, or conversations about food and community, YouTube recommended this for a reason. You belong here.

Subscribe to ‪@OnThePass‬ The Pass for more in-depth conversations with chefs, winemakers, and innovators shaping global food culture. And explore our original branded content with partners like S.Pellegrino and Estrella Damm. #LodgeBreadCo #ArtisanBread #ChefLife #FoodCulture #LosAngelesFood #SourdoughLife #BakeryLA #CommunityThroughFood