How Vollrath Helps Chef Greg Wade Deliver Excellence at Publican Quality Bread

Publican Quality Bread started as a humble operation in the basement of Publican Quality Meats, where its commitment to exceptional quality quickly made it a staple in Chicago’s culinary scene. Under the leadership of managing partner Greg Wade, the bakery’s dedication to using seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques set it apart. As the demand for their artisanal breads and pastries grew, so did the need for reliable, high-performance equipment.

The turning point for Publican Quality Bread came with the decision to expand the brand to a second location in Oak Park, Illinois. Greg Wade chose Vollrath products to support this growth, knowing their innovative and durable equipment would be essential in maintaining the bakery’s high standards while scaling up operations. With Vollrath’s cutting-edge tools, Publican Bakery successfully extended its offerings to include lunch and dinner dayparts, serving a growing customer base across multiple locations. Today, the bakery supplies more than 100 restaurants and retailers across Chicago, all while upholding the quality that made them a local favorite.

From its inception, Publican Quality Bread has remained steadfast in its commitment to quality. Sourcing locally and emphasizing fresh ingredients, the bakery embodies the ethos of the Publican brand. As Wade describes, “We’re just excited about the food. We’re excited about the craft. We’re excited about the cooking.” This passion for excellence is mirrored in the bakery’s choice of equipment—Vollrath products—which play a crucial role in maintaining the high standards Publican Bakery is known for.

Reliable Performance

At Publican Bakery, durability and reliability are non-negotiable. Overseeing a high-volume operation across two locations requires equipment that offers peace of mind, and Greg Wade knew he could trust Vollrath products to deliver. With over 20,000 pounds of dough and thousands of pastries to produce each week, the bakery demands equipment that can withstand the rigors. Vollrath mixers, like the one Wade uses at his Oak Park location, are renowned for their robust construction and dependability, making them an industry favorite for high-demand environments like Publican Quality Bread. “The reason I like Vollrath mixers is they are reliable and well-built,” Wade explains. “In the bakery, we go hard … so to have a well-built, crafted machine from Vollrath really makes it so much easier to accomplish the monumental task of running these bakeries every day.” These mixers are engineered for consistent performance — vital when there’s no time for downtime.

“The reason I like Vollrath mixers is they are reliable and well-built.”

Greg Wade, Managing Partner, Publican Quality Bread

Precision Cooking

Achieving perfection in the kitchen requires reliable and precise tools, and for Publican Quality Bread, Vollrath’s 4-series Induction Ranges are essential. “For me, the difference between the Vollrath induction ranges and some competitors is the precision that you get from Vollrath through being able to set a very specific temperature,” Wade emphasizes. Unlike many other competitors that adjust temperatures in increments of 25 or 50 degrees, Vollrath induction ranges allow for adjustments in single-digit increments. This level of precision offers chefs unparalleled control over cooking temperatures.

These burners use advanced induction technology to deliver heat directly to the pan, ensuring rapid and even heating with minimal energy loss. Whether preparing delicate pastry creams, lemon curd, or savory sauces, the ability to set and maintain specific temperatures is crucial. “If anybody’s ever made a curd or worked with cooking eggs, there’s a specific degree at which the egg sets,” Greg explains. “The precision control of the Vollrath induction range creates a lot of ease and consistency in the products we make.” This accuracy ensures that the bakery can consistently produce high-quality products, from savory sauces to perfectly cooked pastries.

Just as precision is key in crafting delicate pastries, it is equally crucial in the pizza serving process. Volrath’s pizza ovens are a key to the bakery’s success. “The Vollrath pizza oven was a huge win for us,” Wade says. Designed with a temperature range of 140 to 750 degrees, this oven provides the flexibility needed to accommodate various baking requirements. The standout feature for Wade, however, is the ceramic bake decks, which retain and distribute heat, allowing for consistent browning of crusts and bread. “When we’re refreshing our pizza, we want the heat retained in those stones to crisp up the crust from the bottom side. It’s what makes each bite crisp, light, and delicious,” he explains. The high temperature oven, combined with the heat retention of the stone decks, results in pizzas that are served to perfection.

Elevating the Experience

Publican Quality Bread is not just about high-quality food; it’s also about creating a positive and engaging experience. Greg Wade emphasizes that this commitment extends to every aspect of their operation, including their choice of equipment. “The way in which we’re choosing to do it is through hospitality and food. But really, it’s good people trying to do good things in the world… that’s really what I want people to take away from the bakery,” he says. Vollrath’s equipment plays a crucial role in supporting this vision. By providing reliable, high-performance tools, Vollrath helps the bakery maintain a smooth workflow and uphold their high standards. “For me, it’s really special when you’re able to kind of see life happen in these moments where you see people making a connection or… somebody being really proud of the bread that they’re pulling out of the oven,” Wade explains. He adds, “If we’re excited about it, that’s what other people are going to pick up on and engage with.” With Vollrath’s support, Publican Quality Bread can focus on delivering exceptional experiences, ensuring that every product reflects their dedication to both quality and positive vibes.

Publican Quality Bread's story is one of growth, passion, and an unwavering commitment to quality. From the delicate precision required in crafting perfect pastry creams with Vollrath’s induction ranges to the robust durability needed for mixing thousands of pounds of dough each week, the bakery relies on equipment that can meet its exacting standards. Vollrath’s products have proven to be indispensable tools in the bakery’s daily operations, allowing Greg Wade and his team to consistently deliver exceptional products to their customers. The bakery’s success is a testament to what can be achieved when passion for the craft meets precision in the kitchen.

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