Upon graduating college in 2000, Decorah Native Benji Nichols did what any holder of a Bachelors of Music degree would do – moved across country to Sonoma County, California, to work at a friend’s whole grain, sourdough, brick oven (vegan!) bakery. It was the culmination of years worth of baking experimentation in the cramped apartment ovens of Boston (bagels were possible – but only a few at a time). With family roots in the eastern agricultural region of Toten, Norway, and a love for specialty grains and baking, Benji continues to experiment with local grains and sourdough baking, among a few other things. Luckily, he has a wonderful wife and 10-year-old who enjoy eating (most) of his creations.