Bakers and owners Erin and James Kilker of Ocean Grove behind the curtain where the magic is accomplished at “Hey Peach” in Bradley Beach. But it’s not a scene from the” Wizardsof Oz.” It’s more like “Alice in Wonderland.” The oven has a history–ask James about it. Paul Goldfinger photos. Blogfinger.net. 2/21/25.
Erin and mom Mel, a master carpenter who built the unit behind them.
By Paul Goldfinger, MD at the new “Hey Peach” bakery and café. 129 Main Street in Bradley Beach. Across from Country Farm. Evergreen Ave.
I went in today to sample the baked goods. Stephen gave me a list for us to try. “Hey Peach” is on Main Street in BB, opposite Country Farm and one block north of Vic’s Italian.
It was 9:30 am, and a line had formed to the door. Everyone in there, except James working at the oven in the back, was female. I kidded Erin that I was the only customer who was not a woman. I’m thinking they need a sign that says, “We serve all genders.”
The ladies who lunch were enthused and happy—after all it’s a new and exciting culinary adventure at “Hey Peach,” and Erin and James have come up with an impressive and efficient business model to keep things moving. One person takes your order. You pay while someone else puts your package together.
I took home an amazing baguette, a remarkable sourdough* bread, a gorgeous large cream puff , a huge pretzel, and if you come from New York, you are familiar with those hot pretzels sold by street vendors , a brownie and several croissants. Regarding the latter, the bakers here work hard to match what you get in Paris, and Erin and James’ are as good if not better.
Our first purchases from Hey Peach. Eileen’s OG Kitchen. 2/21/25 Paul Goldfinger photo.
James is a bit reluctant to be photographed because he says, “Erin is the thing.”
But “No” I said, “You are the thing also–a member of the magical team behind the curtains.”
There is a barista set-up in front, and we saw an artistic cappuccino go by. Many customers grab a cup of high class “Joe” on the way out.
For the warmer weather, there are a couple of tables and chairs outside. Or do takeout and head north a few blocks to Riley Park.
Above is what our order looked like when I unpacked in Eileen’s kitchen. You will notice that I tore off the end of the baguette as soon as I put it down, swiftly buttered it , and voila–all gone!
Note that they have hearty sourdough baguettes with remarkable crustiness and heavy seeds.
*James is an expert in making sourdough breads. He has his own “starter” and a special oven. Sourdough is said to have some health benefits in terms of nutrients, calming effects, improved digestion, and weight loss effects. Ask James about it.
JUDY GARLAND from the Wizard of Oz original soundtrack. (In this case we have two wizards behind the curtain.)
Small time journalism. A good way to go.
Tom: This was not a medical article, and people do eat and enjoy butter. I have been consistent in teaching a reduction in saturated fats as part of a cardiovascular prevention program.
Our book “Prevention Does Work. A Guide to a Healthy Heart” spells it all out including our promotion of Mediterranean diets, which we follow at home. That book is still available on Amazon.
One update: Prevention specialists have been stressing the need to consume foods that are minimally or non-processed. We recently posted a piece on Blogfinger about that: (link below).
And the new (2026) food pyramid allows some fats especially if they have omega 3 fatty acids instead of omega 6. They still advocate reduced intake of saturated fats. (less than 10% of fat content)
And Wegmans now sells “grass fed butter” which is higher in omega threes.
https://wp.me/pqmj2-Umo
In our OG home we use extra-virgin olive oil and Smart Balance original margarine. We rarely use butter, but for my first sampling of “Hey Peaches” baguette, I made an exception. The same applies if I am sitting at Café de Flore in Paris—they won’t serve margarine with their baguettes and croissants. And everybody there smokes unfiltered Galuloise cigarettes. Yet the French have a low incidence of coronary disease—-the “French paradox.”
Butter? Hey Doc not good for the heart!