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Much Love for Wild Love

A Quick Chat with Meg of Wild Love Bakehouse

Article by Jennie Treadway-Miller

Photography by South Made Marketing, Meg Hunter-Parrish

Originally published in West Knoxville Lifestyle

This modern yet modest bakery-cafe was born out of Old City Java, which Meg Hunter-Parrish owns with her husband, Shaun, and served as the initial customer base for her home-baked pastries. 

“Food was my mother’s creative outlet, so she was constantly cooking and creating new dinners,” says Meg. “I grew up in the kitchen, and we always had a garden. You don’t realize until you look back and see it’s been there all along.”

As the demand for treats grew at Old City Java, so did the idea for a separate bakery. Opened in December 2015, Wild Love is known for its croissants, a recipe that takes four days to create, as well as its growing selection of cakes, pies, and cookies. 

“We’re a small bakery that focuses on doing things really well and with heart. We enjoy what we do, and we hope that translates to our customers,” says Meg. “We do sell out every day because we have limited fridge space.” 

Part of the bakery’s success is due to the high-quality ingredients Meg insists upon, from European butter to Carolina Ground Flour. The other part of their success is their staff. There are 11 bakers at Wild Love, including Meg. 

“We all work really closely,” she says. “Everyone cares so much. You can teach anyone to bake, but you can’t teach everyone to care.”

Open Wednesday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Learn more at www.WildLoveBakehouse.com

“Everyone cares so much. You can teach anyone to bake, but you can’t teach everyone to care.” 

  • Meg Hunter-Parrish

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