Award-winning Tucson baker Don Guerra is bringing Barrio Bread to metro Phoenix

Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this story misspelled Don Guerra's name.

James Beard Award winning Tucson baker Don Guerra is bringing Barrio Bread to metro Phoenix.

Starting in September, every Tuesday Guerra will take over Hayden Flour Mills' new Gilbert kitchen where he will use heritage grains to bake his signature loaves and bagels.

The former schoolteacher garnered national recognition for not only his artisanal baking, but his tireless efforts to support Arizona farmers and bring back heritage grains like White Sonora Wheat.

Father and daughter team Jeff and Emma Zimmerman reopened Hayden Flour Mills in Tempe in 2009 and began producing stone-ground ancient grain flour. Since then, they have expanded to Queen Creek and now have a new kitchen in Gilbert. Emma's cookbook, "The Miller's Daughter" was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2023.

Although Guerra, who grew up in Tempe and has family in Gilbert, has baked with Hayden Mills flour before, he hopes this collaboration will give him the opportunity to experiment with more of their heritage grains.

What types of bread will be available at the Barrio Bread in Gilbert?

"I plan to use Hayden Mills grains exclusively in my baking," Guerra said. "I really want to showcase what is happening in Arizona and let the people in the Valley know that this grain economy that's been built in Arizona is built to last."

Guerra is putting his apron on and getting back into what he loves to do most, baking. He'll do everything on his own for now with some help from his family. Everything is made with Arizona flour.

During his weekly Hayden Mills takeover, Guerra will offer a heritage loaf or whole wheat sourdough, Einkorn loaf and bagels, which he recently started to make for Chompie's.

"This is pretty permanent," Guerra said. "I'm not in a rush to take over the Valley, but I just want to plant the seed and hope to overtime grow into a fulltime bakery and find more opportunities to collaborate with other people."

Once the takeover launches in September, customers can pre-order online and pick up their freshly baked bread and bagels on Tuesdays.

Details: 932 N. Colorado St., Gilbert. haydenflourmills.com. barriobread.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Barrio Bread is opening shop in Phoenix's Hayden Flour Mills