Meet the Team
Mary Gassen
President
I have been in the food business since my first very job in high school selling kitchen equipment in Rockford, Illinois. I attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco after graduating from Macalester College in St. Paul Minnesota. I was only going to come to San Francisco for 16 months, but you can see how that worked out… Some of my favorite jobs have been Managing Partner of Il Forniao in Beverly Hills and Barbara Tropp’s Assistant at China Moon Cafe in San Francisco. I am passionate about being in the company of interesting women and am currently serving as the President of Les Dames d’Escoffier, San Francisco Chapter.
Favorite Pastry and Why: I love the Blueberry Pecan Scone. I especially love the crispy part around the edges and eat them from the outside in!
Perfectly golden baked daily! Noe Valley Bakery scones have long been a favorite of the neighborhood.
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Michael Gassen
Chief Baking Officer
I started working in a bakery when I was 14 years old cleaning up. I quickly figured things out and traded in my broom for a mixer and I have never stopped baking! I've worked with some large baking companies, like Il Fornaio and Acme Bread, but decided that I prefer running a smaller retail bakery. I love the direct connection with my customers and my community. I love baking on site and having everything out of the oven fresh each morning so that the product quality is always its best.
Favorite Pastry and Why: Fig Bread. I used to spend time lying under my grandfather's fig tree eating figs. I created the fig bread to honor that memory and to eat figs year round!
Eat your figs year round! Noe Valley Bakery fig bread inspired by Michael's grandfather.
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Xavier Madarang
Chief Operating Officer
I began working part time as a retail team member at Noe Valley Bakery in the Fall of 2012, while attending San Francisco State University. Today I proudly serve as the bakery’s Chief Operating Officer. My life and career have benefited greatly by way of the connections I have made with the local community, customers, and incredible coworkers through Noe Valley Bakery.
I enjoy the Bay Area food scene by dining out at restaurants, attending sporting events, and am always able to bring the best birthday cake or pie for a family gathering. Training and mentoring the retail staff is my passion, and I hope to continue providing a fun and safe place for employees to work and learn life skills.
Favorite Pastry and Why: Milky Way Bombe! Creative, unique, and yet so familiar. I love the richness of the flourless chocolate cake and how it balances with the buttery notes of our caramel bavarian cream. Each bite also carries a nice bit of texture in the form of chocolate covered croquants (think crispy little cookies).
Saundra O’Day
Director of Bakery Operations
I was put on this earth to feed people, so I've been cooking professionally for 22 years in SF, the South of France, Park City, Atlanta, Las Vegas and around the Bay Area. For the past 6 years I've been feeding some extremely harsh critics (total PITAs), my daughters and it's been the most satisfying cooking of my life!
If you were stranded on a deserted island with one food and one drink, what would they be? Not sure how they would be cooked, but chicken thighs would be involved, fried, baked or grilled, all delicious. Midleton Irish whiskey on the rocks, that's easy.
Gloria Ng
Manager,
24th Street
Born an SF Native, my heart longed to stay in the busy city. Which is why I moved back home as soon as I graduated from UC Santa Cruz with my degree in Sociology. I first joined 24th Street as a retail staff member, but through both hard work and dedication, I was able to achieve my current role as manager of 24th Street.
The community at the bakery is both welcoming and nurturing, and because of this I was able to foster meaningful lifelong friendships and professional relationships as well. I am overjoyed to be able to have such a role in my community!
Favorite Pastry and Why: Red Velvet Cupcake - The cream cheese frosting is to die for! Paired with the red velvet cupcake and crunch of the candy colored chocolate sixlet, I can't get enough!!
A delicious red velvet chocolate cupcake topped with cream cheese icing.
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Alejandra Farias
Manager,
West Portal
Originally from San Jose, California, and moved to San Francisco to study at SFSU. I loved the city so much that I decided to build my life here.
I began my journey at Noe Valley Bakery as a team member because I was so impressed with the delicious desserts and wanted to be a part of the West Portal community. It was important for me to join a company with strong values that gives back to its community.
Favorite Pastry and Why: My favorite Noe Valley Bakery baked good is the Cheddar Chive Scone—it's the perfect breakfast treat for a busy San Francisco day.
Perfectly golden baked daily! Noe Valley Bakery scones have long been a favorite of the neighborhood.
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