Wilton's Green Leaf: It's a Bakery! Part 1 of 2

When you operate the only "from-scratch" organic bakery for miles and miles, there is potential to become a destination.

Though this is no small task, given the destination is not Manhattan, but Wilton, business partners Robin Marvin and Paul Osakwe seem to have pulled it off.

By working seven days a week, often during the hours most people are asleep, using quality ingredients and through word-of-mouth Green Leaf has gained a steady clientele.

Osakwe wanted to bring high end products and an eclectic menu to Wilton.  

French donuts and croissants are made the French way, which refers mostly to how the butter is folded in.

"It's the pouffing process" explained Osakwe. "You fold the butter in eight times and then cut it by hand." Osakwe, who said he goes through 72 lbs of butter a week, bakes exactly how he and his family would expect it to taste in Europe. 

Experienced customers learn not to come in and ask for the same muffin or croissant every day.

"They learn to ask 'What just came out?'" said Osakwe, who tells the story of a customer who stopped in every Saturday and Sunday and bought the same item each time.

"I suggested he try something else. Some time passed and I saw him again. He told me he'd tried something new every day for weeks. Now just asks for what's just come out."    

A Word About Muffins
"Usually when you order a blueberry muffin, the blueberries are on the top and when you bit into it, you bite into cake," said Osakwe. Green Leaf's muffins are laden with blueberries all the way through and customers have exclaimed on more than one occasion, 'This is the best blueberry muffin I have ever had,'" said Osakwe.  "We heat it up, serve it with a side of fresh organic Vermont butter, a cup of organic coffee and a fanned out strawberry. And you can sit outside on our patio if you like."

"So when people say 'How come you charge so much for a muffin?' (the price is $3.00) I suggest they walk down the street and compare our organic muffin to a $2.00 muffin and then let me know how they feel."

The most popular items are the French donuts, or "beignets." "We can't keep them on the shelf," said Osakwe. "Also the fallen chocolate soufflé is our number one seller. We make 200-300 a week."

Green Leaf is set to participate in Norwalk's Live Green event on Sept. 14th 10:00am-4:00pm and Sunday, Sept.15th from 11:00am - 4:00pm at Taylor Farm Park at Calf Pasture Beach.

In addition to participating in several local farmer's markets, there are a total of three Green Leaf Organic Bakery and Cafe locations, though all the food is prepared in Wilton. 

• Wilton. 126 Old Ridgefield Rd., opposite the Wilton Library. Email:  Info@GreenLeafOrganicBakery.com  Tel. (203) 529-3888
  Hours: Monday - Friday, 6:30am to 6:00pm
  Saturday, 7:00am to 6:00pm
  Sunday, 7:00am to 5:00pm
• Norwalk. 40 Cross Street. In the main lobby of the Medical Center.
  Monday-Friday ,7:00am - 4:00pm. 
• South Norwalk. SoNo Marketplace, 314 Wilson Ave., Friday-Sunday, 10:00am - 6:00pm.
  
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