Known as Ari to friends and family, Aron Knopfler's passion for baking was ignited by the inviting kitchen of his Hungarian maternal grandmother, whose Flodin and apple cakes were nothing short of magical. His early memories are filled with the sights and smells of homemade pastries, often lending a hand to his mother in the kitchen - sometimes just licking the beaters clean after a batch of sweet yeast dough pastries.
In 1995, Ari baked his very first batch of Danish pastries on his own using a recipe from How to Bake by Nick Malgieri. Though he was a beginner, he recalls the first batch of cheese Danish pockets as unexpectedly delicious. This was the start of a journey that has been marked by countless attempts, many mishaps, and, ultimately, the growth of a highly skilled artisan baker.
Ari’s training spans generations of family tradition, including invaluable lessons learned from his mother and grandmother. He also attended the Pastry Arts program at the prestigious French Culinary Institute in New York in 1997.
For Ari, there is no greater joy than the process of baking sourdough bread. The unpredictability of the dough, the lessons in patience, and the satisfaction of watching the bread rise and bake to perfection are aspects of the craft that continually inspire him. And he says the sound of the sourdough crust cracking is “the sweetest melody a baker can hear.”
At the heart of his work is a commitment to honoring his Hungarian-Jewish baking heritage, while always striving to improve and learn new techniques. This continual growth and never-ending curiosity sets Ari apart from others in his field. His approach to baking is rooted in humility, patience, and the belief that baking is a shared experience that fosters connection with community.
Ari views his role as a baker as one that goes beyond producing delicious goods - it’s about sharing joy, nostalgia, and happiness with others. Above all, Ari believes in the power of community, thinking of the baker as a humble figure who brings people together, much like the village bakers of old.
Ari’s commitment to his craft is matched by his belief in sharing his knowledge with others. Whether in person or online, he feels that passing on baking wisdom is a way of giving back to the community and inspiring the next generation of bakers.
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