Sweet Caribou

Sweet Caribou, artisan bakery and catering in Anchorage

Sweet Caribou is a family-owned bakery in Anchorage, Alaska, dedicated to artisan pastries and the creation of gourmet lunch bowls and sandwiches. The company presents itself as an Alaskan pâtisserie that works with high-quality ingredients, strives to source from local suppliers, and makes all of its products from scratch.

Its activity combines the sale of artisan sweets with a lunch and catering service for businesses and individuals, with home or office delivery in the Anchorage area.

Macarons and artisan pastries

The centerpiece of its sweet offering is Parisian macarons, made with almond flour and therefore naturally gluten-free. The company describes them as Alaska-sized flavor macarons and presents itself as Alaska's macaron mecca. The company expressly distinguishes its Parisian macarons from coconut macaroons.

Alongside the macarons, the catalog includes artisan cupcakes, cookies, brownies, blondies, and other sweets. The company notes that it travels to Paris annually to train with Parisian pastry chefs and study trends in high-end patisserie.

Lunch bowls and locally sourced lunches

On the savory side, Sweet Caribou makes gourmet lunch bowls with local inspiration, using locally sourced ingredients, and delivers them in Anchorage. The offering is positioned as an alternative to fast food, with more flavor and dessert included. Lunch orders can be placed by text message stating name, order, and address, Monday through Friday during delivery hours.

Catering and corporate events

The company offers catering with two standout specialties: macaron towers and artisan lunch bowls with a macaron included. The service is aimed at meetings, business lunches, and corporate events, and includes one-time or recurring deliveries.

For the professional sphere, the catalog includes macaron gift boxes, macaron towers, and glass jars with cupcakes, intended as gifts for clients or teams. The company notes that delivery and catering information is handled by phone, text message, or email.

Ingredients and local focus

Sweet Caribou states that it uses high-quality ingredients such as cream, vanilla beans, and couverture chocolate, and makes all of its products from scratch. Among the local ingredients it mentions are Alaska-grown produce, fireweed honey, and Summit Spice teas, with the goal of supporting other local businesses.

The company also notes that it donates to local organizations addressing causes such as childhood hunger and poverty.

Team

The owner is James Strong, born and raised in Anchorage. Before founding Sweet Caribou he worked in the restaurant industry, from busboy at Moose's Tooth to manager of Bear Tooth, and later earned a master's degree in fisheries management, with a published book on the pollock fishery. The business name comes from a hunting trip to Adak.

Barbara Strong, James's sister, holds the position of "executive flavorologist" and has spent years making Parisian macarons, cupcakes, and other handcrafted desserts for family and friends' celebrations. Samantha Wagner is the executive pastry chef: a graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage's culinary arts program, she furthered her training as a lab assistant for Chef Vern at UAA and worked at Haute Quarter Grille making breads and pastries before joining Sweet Caribou.

Operations and seasonal closure

The company operates from a location in Anchorage and also has a location at the airport. The site indicated that Sweet Caribou and Bema Cafe would remain closed from December 25 to January 1, reopening on January 2 at normal hours, while the airport location would remain open during that period.

Location and contact

701 West 36th Avenue, Anchorage, AK, 99503, United States · Phone: 907.223.5160 · Email: sweetcaribouak@gmail.com