Week One – The First Ingredient
Leah B -
Welcome back, everyone!
For a quick recap, my project explores how chemistry plays a role in determining suitable substitutes in baked goods. I am also interning at Call Your Mother Deli (CYM), a bagel sandwich shop that originated in Washington, DC.

This week, I have spent my time split between one of CYM’s shops and their main DC office. In my time spent in the shop, I have gained a lot of firsthand experience seeing how people with dietary restrictions change signature sandwiches or simply create their own to accommodate their food needs. While it was definitely difficult at first to handle more complex orders, I have almost perfected my ability to accurately take customer requests. There’s something incredibly rewarding about being able to say “yes” when people ask about whether there are gluten friendly alternatives or when ensuring that an allergy is being taken seriously. Many people just want to feel heard and respected so being able to witness how much the presence of one item can impact someone’s day is remarkable. The fact that I get to be a part of making someone smile by saying “yes” to their requests feels amazing.
On the other hand, when I am in the office, I get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the factors that contribute to successfully running a growing business that offers substitutes.
I have also begun searching for more articles and research papers that align with my topic and give me more insight into common and unconventional substitutes.
See you next week and stay tuned in! <3
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