Latest news with #Breuer
Eater
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
A Chicago Pastry Chef Opens Up on Limb Difference and New Motherhood
Before Kerrie Breuer opened Fat Peach Bakery in Bridgeport, she was an award-winning baker and cake decorator who blew the competition away in 2022 on Amazon Studios' Dr. Seuss Baking Challenge. Two years later, Breuer and her husband, David Castillo, brought what Saturday Night Live calls the Big Dumb Line, a phenomenon that tends to happen most often on the North Side, to Bridgeport. At Fat Peach, lines of eager pastry lovers convene on a stretch of Archer Avenue that was typically quiet and residential. Fat Peach has given Bridgeport a destination bakery, with a focus on beautifully laminated sweet and savory pastries. As she enjoyed success, Breuer has opened up about life as a person with a limb difference and as a mother of a newborn. The couple discovered Breuer was pregnant in August 2024, just before the business opened, and she gave birth in April. As parents of a new baby and first-time business owners, there are fresh challenges to face every day. 'Honestly, we're just taking everything day by day, because I try not to think too far into the future,' Breuer says. 'You know, things change pretty quickly. I will say that all of my time is accounted for. I definitely try to find balance where I can, but yeah, we're pretty busy.' Raised as an adoptee in Minot, North Dakota, Breuer learned how to deal with her difference in a world that doesn't always cater to those who are different. Breuer is without a left hand due to being born with amniotic band syndrome. She recounts how her mother found inspiration by reading an article about a woman living in Greece with a limb difference. 'Her mom treated her like everyone else and basically just told her that, you know, you can do whatever you want to do. It might look a little different, but you can do anything you set your mind to. And that's kind of the mindset that she had when she was raising me, and I think that without that sort of upbringing, I don't think I would be who I am today.' Breuer adds: 'There wasn't any social media, and I didn't really see anyone like me on TV, and I never really met anyone like me in person. I was very fortunate to get to have parents that took everything in stride.' Kerrie Breuer and David Castillo opened Fat Peach in 2024. Here, Breuer operates a stand mixer. Kerrie Breuer wants to be a role model for others. Practice has been a key to finding success for Breuer, knowing that she looks different while whisking ingredients in a bowl compared to someone with two hands. 'You know, I might hold things a little bit differently. If I'm stirring something in a really large bowl, I might hug it close to my body so that I actually have some stability, or I'll put like a rag underneath it. Other than that, I don't use adaptive tools. I was born without a hand, so I'm totally used to working without it.' Those experiences have taught her it's OK to fail, and Breuer wants others in the disabled community to understand they're not alone: 'The more you put yourselves in situations where you're learning something new, the more confident that you're going to be trying something later,' she says. Fat Peach Bakery replaced Bridgeport Bakery, a neighborhood staple for 50 years, which briefly reopened under new ownership and became Bridgeport Bakery 2.0 before closing in 2021. Both were best known for cookies and for paczkis, with long lines forming on Fat Tuesdays. Fat Peach Bakery chose a different approach, focusing on sourdough-based, fancy, flaky pastries with unexpected fillings, and a surprise approach to their ever-changing weekly menu. Castillo and Breuer were inspired by Mexican café culture and a desire to create a workplace that nurtured their employees as well as the neighborhood. 'We were both at a point in our careers where we felt like it was time to try to work for ourselves,' Breuer says. 'There was a ton of self-doubt, but we really love Bridgeport and we wanted to bring something special to the neighborhood.' So, how does it all work, being new parents and running a popular bakery? Fat Peach keeps a system in place that allows for flexibility and creativity. Castillo is a rare pastry chef with savory and sweet experience, and that gives him an advantage when he's not making the dough or involved with lamination. Breuer comes during weekend mornings to help them finish pastries. Their baby is growing up steeped in pastry and delicious smells, right there in the kitchen with them as they complete the offerings for the week. 'He sleeps in his carrier sometimes or I'll just like, baby wear him. And then I just work on projects that I can do while wearing a baby in the kitchen. It's a pretty close-knit team in a very small kitchen, so we're all very aware of him.' For now, Breuer's balancing motherhood and working a few days of the week, while Castillo takes on a heavier workload with baking and running the business. 'We kind of just pass off responsibilities as needed. Communication is key.' 'David works on the dough at the beginning of the week, and then I kind of do like the random little things that need to be done, like taking inventory and ordering things,' Breuer says. 'And then Cecilia does a lot of our fillings, and then I kind of help her out where I can.' A key hire was Cecilia Iwata, an expert pastry cook who is essential to their kitchen but also helps with customers and other front-facing tasks. Now, instead of just Castillo and Breuer, thanks to their immediate success, they've hired additional staff, including assistant bakers and a dishwasher. 'Cecilia is probably like, honestly… Cecilia is like my left hand,' says Breuer with a laugh. 'She's been with us since day one, so she kind of does a little bit of everything.' Having a limb difference has led Breuer to hold kitchen gear differently. Their growing crew includes a dishwasher, a few pastry cooks, and hopefully more to come in time as they expand their small business. Breuer relishes the prospect of building a healthy work environment where their staff can thrive and enjoy their creativity: 'I feel very lucky to have them. I don't think we could get it done without them,' she says. A Canadian chef ran a cheekily named YouTube channel, Stump Kitchen, producing videos sharing her journey. But there are few visible role models in the kitchen space who face the same challenges. Now, almost a year after opening, Breuer is seizing her own platform and wants people to know and understand more about finding success with limb differences. She doesn't want people to underestimate members of the community, especially youngsters. 'There have been a couple of kids that have come into our bakery, and I'm sure they don't really see as many people like them,' she says. 'So if I can sort of spread awareness about what people with limb differences can be capable of, yes. That can be a really positive thing.' She adds: 'Especially if you're a kid, try everything at least once and don't be worried if the process looks different than everyone else. Like, I might hold a bowl different while I'm whisking something than someone with two hands. Just don't be afraid to try something at least once.' Eater Chicago All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Business Insider
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Europe might be increasing its defense spending, but it's moving way too slowly to be ready for Russia, says Saab CEO
Saab's CEO Micael Johansson said that while Europe's leaders have announced huge defense spending hikes, the continent's processes are likely too slow to combat Russia. "Now, we want to spend like 3.5% to 5% of GDP on defense. But then, when you start getting into the normal processes in terms of, okay, defense forces have to decide what to spend the money on, and then it has to be acquired by someone," Johansson told Business Insider on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. "The process is much too long still. It takes a long time before it gets into industry," he said, adding that he was worried about the gap. As an example, Johansson said Sweden's recent boost in defense spending to 3.5% of GDP would take military authorities "six months roughly" to decide what to spend the funds on. And that's before acquisition and matériel officials come into the mix, he said. "And so we're still looking at a couple of years before you actually get going, which is not good enough, I think, in times of war. Which is tragic," Johansson said, who was elected president of the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe last month. At the same time, the CEO raised concerns about Russia's warfooting manufacturing capability, estimating that Moscow was making up about five times as many artillery shells as all of Europe yearly. "Europe has to take its own responsibility, so we need to have integrated our missile defense systems, the collaborative combat aircraft, we need to have space technology, we need to have hubs where we can do ammunition manufacturing," he said. At the Dialogue, which ran from Friday to Sunday, Germany's defense chief Gen. Carsten Breuer raised a similar issue for his country. "I think in Germany we are a facing a situation, or at least we faced a situation, where we had processes over processes and processes, and all those processes were developed not to spend any money," Breuer said at a panel on Saturday. "Because we had enough time, but we did not have the money." Breuer said that if German officials deemed a process was moving too quickly, they would "then develop an additional process to slow it down." European military officials have warned that their nations must be ready for a possible conflict with Russia by 2029, when they estimate that Moscow would be strong enough to launch an attack on the Baltic states. Anxieties on the continent have been compounded by the second Trump administration's signaled reluctance to continue supporting regional defense in areas where European states are falling short. President Donald Trump has called for NATO's European members to boost defense spending to 5% of their GDP. Some, such as Germany, have signaled an openness to such an eventual arrangement. Saab, which manufactures the Gripen fighter jet that's geared toward fighting Russian threats, has seen a rapid surge in demand since the war in Ukraine began in 2022. The Nordics' biggest defense manufacturer reported 2024 annual sales of 63.75 billion Swedish krona, or about $6.6 billion. By comparison, annual revenue in 2021 was 39.15 billion krona.
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Nato must be ready for war with Russia by 2029 – Putin is ALREADY planning attack, Germany warns as Starmer pledges subs
NATO must be ready for war in the next four years, Germany's defence chief warned, as he claimed Russia is gearing up to attack more European nations. Keir Starmer meanwhile announced 12 new nuclear submarines to combat the "immediate and pressing threat" from Putin. 7 Flames and destruction after a Russian attack in Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine on Monday morning Credit: Getty 7 A huge crater blown into the ground by a Russian ballistic missile on Monday Credit: EPA 7 Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk region, Siberia, was ablaze after a major Ukrainian drone strike over the weekend Credit: East2West 7 General Carsten Breuer said Nato is facing a "very serious threat" from Russia - the most severe he has seen in his 40 years of service. Breuer explained that Russia is producing weaponry at a rapid pace - with around 1,500 battle tanks and four million rounds of artillery each year. Crucially, not all of this is being directed to Ukraine - possibly indicating munitions are being stockpiled for use against Nato countries. He said: "There's an intent and there's a build up of the stocks." Breuer Russia 's potential timeframe for an assault, concluding: "We have to be ready by 2029". "If you ask me now, is this a guarantee that's not earlier than 2029? I would say no, it's not. So we must be able to fight tonight," he said. In April, the general warned that Putin will have next year, and that he wants to "weaken and destroy Nato as an alliance and discredit our Western form of society". The Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are particularly vulnerable, he said. Most read in The Sun Breuer said: "The Baltic States are really exposed to the Russians, right? "And once you are there, you really feel this [...] in the talks we are having over there." At least seven killed & dozens injured after bridge collapses and crushes passenger train in Russia The Estonians reportedly use the analogy of being close to a wildfire and being able to "feel the heat, see the flames and smell the smoke". Germany and other European nations "probably see a little bit of smoke over the horizon and not more," Breuer said. The general added a call to action, urging fellow Nato nations to rebuild their militaries. He said: "What we have to do now is really to lean in an to tell everybody: 'Hey, ramp up [...] get more into it because we need it. "We need it to be able to defend ourselves and therefore also to build up deterrence." Recognising this need, the British government announced that the UK will build a dozen new nuclear submarines armed with Tomohawk missiles. The will also be bolstered, with saying the deterrent is 'what Putin fears most'. The government is in talks with US officials over the move, which would be the UK's biggest deterrent development since the . The news came as part of the strategic defence review , designed to get Britain moving "to war-fighting readiness". 7 General Carsten Breuer, Germany's Chief of Defence, said Europe must be ready to defend against Russia by 2029 Credit: Rex 7 Pictures show a huge stockpile of FPV drones hidden inside a secret compartment in a container Credit: 24 TV/SBU 7 Russian Tu-95 bombers burning 'en masse' during Ukraine's drone sting Credit: Ukraine's Security Service Starmer will say during a trip to Scotland: 'From the supply lines to the front lines, this government is four-square behind the men and women upholding our freedom and security.' Up to 12 nuclear-powered subs will be built under the AUKUS security partnership with the US and Australia. They are conventionally-armed with They can also deploy special forces and drones . Russia's weapon stocks took a hit over the weekend when a daring Ukrainian drone plot blitzed 34 percent of Putin's cruise missile carriers, according to Read more on the Irish Sun And a raging Putin is now said to be preparing for a terrifying revenge attack. What was 'Operation Spiderweb'? OVER the weekend, Ukraine launched a highly-sophisticated, meticulously-planned drone attack inside Russia. It marks Kyiv's longest-range operation of the conflict so far. The plot involved 117 drones which had been smuggled into Russia inside trucks. President Zelensky revealed it took over 18 months to pull off the masterful attack and hailed it as one for the "history books". Over 100 drones were involved, each with their own pilot. Zelesnsky also revealed the headquarters of the operation were "right next to the FSB", Russia's security service. At least 40 aircraft were attacked, and Zelensky claimed that 34 percent of Putin's cruise missile carriers at the targeted airfields were blasted. A £260million AWACS aircraft and bombers capable of dropping nuclear weapons were also struck. Ukrainian sources say that more than £1.5billion worth of damage has been inflicted on the Russian air force.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Nato must be ready for war with Russia by 2029 – Putin is ALREADY planning attack, Germany warns as Starmer pledges subs
NATO must be ready for war in the next four years, Germany's defence chief warned, as he claimed Russia is gearing up to attack more European nations. Keir Starmer meanwhile announced 12 new nuclear submarines to combat the "immediate and pressing threat" from Putin. 7 Flames and destruction after a Russian attack in Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine on Monday morning Credit: Getty 7 A huge crater blown into the ground by a Russian ballistic missile on Monday Credit: EPA 7 Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk region, Siberia, was ablaze after a major Ukrainian drone strike over the weekend Credit: East2West 7 General Carsten Breuer said Nato is facing a "very serious threat" from Russia - the most severe he has seen in his 40 years of service. Breuer explained that Russia is producing weaponry at a rapid pace - with around 1,500 battle tanks and four million rounds of artillery each year. Crucially, not all of this is being directed to Ukraine - possibly indicating munitions are being stockpiled for use against Nato countries. He said: "There's an intent and there's a build up of the stocks." Breuer doubled down on his warning that "analysts are assessing 2029" as Russia's potential timeframe for an assault, concluding: "We have to be ready by 2029". "If you ask me now, is this a guarantee that's not earlier than 2029? I would say no, it's not. So we must be able to fight tonight," he said. In April, the general warned that Putin will have amassed a 3million-strong army by next year, and that he wants to "weaken and destroy Nato as an alliance and discredit our Western form of society". The Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are particularly vulnerable, he said. Breuer said: "The Baltic States are really exposed to the Russians, right? "And once you are there, you really feel this [...] in the talks we are having over there." At least seven killed & dozens injured after bridge collapses and crushes passenger train in Russia The Estonians reportedly use the analogy of being close to a wildfire and being able to "feel the heat, see the flames and smell the smoke". Germany and other European nations "probably see a little bit of smoke over the horizon and not more," Breuer said. The general added a call to action, urging fellow Nato nations to rebuild their militaries. He said: "What we have to do now is really to lean in an to tell everybody: 'Hey, ramp up [...] get more into it because we need it. "We need it to be able to defend ourselves and therefore also to build up deterrence." Recognising this need, the British government announced that the UK will build a dozen new nuclear submarines armed with Tomohawk missiles. The UK's nuclear warhead programme will also be bolstered, with Defence Secretary John Healey saying the deterrent is 'what Putin fears most'. The government is in talks with US officials over the move, which would be the UK's biggest deterrent development since the Cold War. The news came as part of the strategic defence review, designed to get Britain moving "to war-fighting readiness". 7 General Carsten Breuer, Germany's Chief of Defence, said Europe must be ready to defend against Russia by 2029 Credit: Rex 7 Pictures show a huge stockpile of FPV drones hidden inside a secret compartment in a container Credit: 24 TV/SBU 7 Russian Tu-95 bombers burning 'en masse' during Ukraine's drone sting Credit: Ukraine's Security Service Starmer will say during a trip to Scotland: 'From the supply lines to the front lines, this government is four-square behind the men and women upholding our freedom and security.' Up to 12 nuclear-powered subs will be built under the AUKUS security partnership with the US and Australia. They are conventionally-armed with Tomahawk missiles and are mainly used as intelligence gatherers, lurking off hostile coastlines to intercept communications. They can also deploy special forces and drones. Russia's weapon stocks took a hit over the weekend when a daring Ukrainian drone plot blitzed 34 percent of Putin's cruise missile carriers, according to Volodymyr Zelensky. And a raging Putin is now said to be preparing for a terrifying revenge attack. What was 'Operation Spiderweb'? OVER the weekend, Ukraine launched a highly-sophisticated, meticulously-planned drone attack inside Russia. It marks Kyiv's longest-range operation of the conflict so far. The plot involved 117 drones which had been smuggled into Russia inside trucks. President Zelensky revealed it took over 18 months to pull off the masterful attack and hailed it as one for the "history books". Over 100 drones were involved, each with their own pilot. Zelesnsky also revealed the headquarters of the operation were "right next to the FSB", Russia's security service. At least 40 aircraft were attacked, and Zelensky claimed that 34 percent of Putin's cruise missile carriers at the targeted airfields were blasted. A £260million AWACS aircraft and bombers capable of dropping nuclear weapons were also struck. Ukrainian sources say that more than £1.5billion worth of damage has been inflicted on the Russian air force.
Mint
01-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Germany Vows to Maintain Role in Asia Security Despite US Calls
Germany's top military officer said the country would continue to play a role in Asia-Pacific security, even as the US urges European nations to focus more on the threat from Russia. 'We have to do both,' Chief of Defence Carsten Breuer said in an interview with Bloomberg TV on the sidelines of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore. It's in Germany's interest to support the rules-based international order and protect freedom of navigation in the Asia-Pacific region, he said. Germany, along with other European countries, has been building stronger defense relationships in Asia and has sent warships through the region, such as the German frigate Bayern, which visited Japan and other locations in 2021. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Saturday that Europe's top priority should remain its own region, especially with the ongoing war in Ukraine. He said the US would focus on addressing the threat from China. Hegseth also urged Asian nations to follow the lead of Europe in increasing defense spending. He pointed out that members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, including Germany, are committing to spending 5% of their gross domestic product on defense. Breuer said it's actually the threat from Russia that's driving Germany and others to boost their military budgets. For him, the focus isn't just on hitting spending targets but about building the right capabilities. 'It's of course air defense where we have to speed up, it's main battle tanks, it's infantry fighting vehicles, it's the delivery of ammunition,' he said. He said China's global role, including its ties with Russia, make it harder to treat global threats as separate. 'You have to see the spillover effect from Europe toward Asia, and vice versa,' he said. As for Ukraine, Breuer said Germany recently brought in a €4 billion support package to help Ukraine better defend itself. 'This is mainly to strengthen the Ukraine defense industry so that it's self-sustaining for the future,' he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
