About Barry's Buns

Joel, whose middle name is Barry, handles everything in the kitchen, production, and back of house, while Jen handles the business side, the front of the house, and day-to-day operations.

Joel was born a baker. He started his own cheesecake business when he was 14 years old. During high school, he took first place in a culinary competition winning a scholarship from Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) to attend Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. Joel graduated with a degree in Pastry Arts and was most recently the Regional Bakery Associate Coordinator of Whole Foods Market for the Mid-Atlantic Region. His formal career in pastry began at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and was also the Assistant Pastry Chef at The Rittenhouse Hotel under Executive Chef Jean Marie LaCroix. 

It has always been a lifelong goal for Joel to have his own place and sticky buns have always been a favorite of Joel’s since childhood. His fondest childhood memory is that of his dad regularly bringing home sticky buns for the family. Additionally, his dad, for many years before his recent passing, had his own business in a farmers style market. Joel loved the atmosphere and helping his dad take care of the customers, so when the opportunity arose for a location within the MARKET at the Fareway (2017 Best of Philly Food Destination) in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, it was a sign that now is the time to open a bakery.