Chez Hareg Bakery Opens In Edgewood                 oday, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Chez Hareg Bakery (now located on 4th and Rhode Island ave NE) into the Edgewood community at it's grand opening. The owner Chez Hareg gave me a grand tour of the bakery. Hareg is no stranger to the Washington area culinary industry, or to this community. Hareg was once a vendor at the locally known Bloomingdale Farmer’s market. Her shop was originally located at 9th and U St's NW. She moved to Edgewood to have more space to make the food she supplies to Whole Foods and Yes Organic Market.  Hareg is an entrepreneur, who has a true passion for baking, and is a former pastry chef for the Ritz Carlton hotel. She has been recognized for her work in local publications such as Washingtonian's Best and the In Towner news paper.

The building the shop now occupies was rundown and closed by the Health Department, until Hareg's business partner Tefri Zewu completed renovations and upgrades at the cost of $50,000 dollars. Hareg told me that the shop is important because it shows " We can make things happen in our communities." She has future plans of hiring neighborhood youth for summer employment . The shop boasts a open kitchen so patrons can view the food as it is made; the counter tops are stuffed with pecan snowballs, apricot sprits, red velvet cupcakes and loads more.

 

The shop sells all sorts of goodies from pecan snowballs to tiramisu. The best thing about the goodies is that they are all vegan, most with no egg or sugar.  Hareg personally recommends you try the famous Napoleon, she says most people can’t believe its vegan. I tasted a slice of her fresh bread and must say it was the best I ever had.

 

 

I encourage all those who haven’t tried Chez Hareg baked goods, to stop by and support our new bakery..