Field Research: Todd Kelly of BT Baking

B.T. brownies y'all, they are seriously where it's at.  If you live in the Philadelphia area, you may already know this, or have at least seen them around.  Fair Food Farmstand, Pumpkin Market, Ultimo Coffee, Grocery, Gia Pronto, Capogiro, Bella Vista Natural Foods, and The Green Line Cafes (just to name a few) are all frequent passengers on the B.T. train.  Chocolate, peanut butter, and cookie brownies are available at these locations (and I think a pumpkin one is available in the fall, too). 

Better Together owner and head baker Todd Kelly began baking in college after becoming hooked on The Food Network's Sunday morning programming.  Later, while working as a financial analyst, Todd would bring in his creations for coworkers to try, an excellent form of market research.  All of his baked goods were a hit, but it was the brownies that his "customers" raved the most about.  Even as people suggested he branch off and start his own business, Todd never really imagined he would do it, even though he knew he wasn't 100% satisfied working in finance.  And then in July of 2007, after some soul-searching and encouragement from his wife, Kestra, he decided to make the leap from full-time analyst to full-time baker.  B.T. Baking was officially born. 

What sets the company apart is its use of fair trade chocolate, organic ingredients, and local eggs and dairy.  B.T. brownies are made with Divine Chocolate, which truly lives up to its name - try the white chocolate with strawberries bar (holy Double Stuf Oreos is it good).  I completely fell for B.T. after first bite: chocolatey, soft, chewy, a little dense;  the freshness and care that goes into these little treats really shines through.  After reading about the company's background and Todd's Food Network inspiration (I also became interested in food and baking through the channel) I knew I wanted to find out more.  Unfortunately our schedules and locales prevented an in-person meeting, but I was lucky enough to snag some of his (precious) free time over the internets.  Read on for some of Todd's thoughts on Philly, President Obama, and apple dumplings.