It’s hard to believe Matt Swint wasn’t born from dough and raised in a wood fired oven. His natural understanding of how yeast, flour, water and salt work together with patience and heat have served him well.

As a youngster Matt was enveloped with Slovenian & Italian family style cooking. The house would quickly fill with smells of bubbling cheese from pizzas, hand-made pastas and fresh sausages. But it was that golden crusty bread that seemed to be at every family function that stuck in his memory.

Matt spent many years working in kitchens and honing his craft. He read every bread book known to man and spent hours practicing the recipes.  From focaccia to brioche to ciabatta, he perfected each batch. He gained further experience with the Rotolo family running kitchens and getting an education in primo pizza building. He found an art in the relationship with the dough, cheese and its toppings. Through this time, he was shaping a foundation to strike out on his own.

In 2012, Matt opened Perzoot food truck - serving Italian fare that focused on all homemade, local ingredients. His menu was sought after, but the bread always became the center of attention. And so he set his focus to the dough.

“Hey can you make me a tray of focaccia?” turned into several trays and several dozens of loaves and rolls. Matt’s breads are now found at local food trucks, catering events, and restaurants.

The day Matt’s bread joined Chef Dan’s meat a twist in magical fate began and set off the early talks of Baba’s. Italian breads are his specialty. Ciabatta, focaccia, and stirato are already crowd favorites. Matt is excited to bring old world, rustic Italian and eastern European breads to Columbus eaters.

For Matt, feeding his customers is an extension of feeding his family. It’s just the way he was raised, you always make more than you need and everyone is always welcome. Food is family and family is food. Matt spends his off time with his wife and two girls who keep him on his toes and anxiously awaiting the time when they can bake right next to dad.

Favorite Foods: Italian (all of it)

Favorite Drink: Whole milk, raw when possible…and maybe a shot of Irish Whisky when the wife’s not looking

Favorite place to eat in Columbus: Bono pizza