Wingfield Bread on the Rise

The late rancher, landowner and businessman William Gilmore Wingfield would be proud to know that his great-great-great-granddaughter is carrying on the family name in Camp Verde, doing what she loves: feeding people.

“Serving people is what I love and that’s why I opened my bakery in 2012,” said Wingfield Bread Co. owner Rachelle Wingfield. “My faith and my love for my family is what keeps me going.”

Wingfield’s interest in baking began when friends showed her how to grind wheat berries into flour. “I was fascinated by the process and started baking bread and cinnamon rolls for my children. It was low-cost, fairly easy to make, healthy, and they loved it.”

She started selling bread at farmers markets and found that people “really liked it.”

Along with her increasing number of loaves, success was on the rise.

Today, her cozy and rustic bakery café is located in the building that bears her name, along with a lot of history, Wingfield Plaza. “My family came to Camp Verde in the late 1800s and owned and operated the Wingfield Plaza for 50-plus years. I remember thinking how cool it would be to have my bakery in the building my ancestors once owned. So, one day I asked if I could rent a space and they had an opening,” she said. “My journey to here was a supernatural one and it’s just amazing how it’s all turned out.”

“The Wingfield building has transferred hands quite a few times, but it is the oldest commercial building in the area,” said Chambers Realty Group broker Justin Chambers, whose offices are housed there.

The evolution from handcrafted artisan breads and pastries to a full breakfast and lunch menu is a satisfying mix that locals love. Breakfast offerings include a “quiche of the day,” croissants, sweet rolls and breakfast sandwiches. On Saturday mornings, their adaptation of Georgia Wingfield’s Biscuits & Gravy is a favorite.

“Rachelle makes excellent food. Everyone loves it and she has people coming from all over to dine there,” said Chambers, adding that the smells that seep down the hall into his office are fantastic.

Lunch includes a varied mix of hot and cold sandwiches, a fun variety of salads topped with homemade dressings, and sauces made in-house daily.

“I believe WingField Bread Co. is the only large-scale sourdough bread maker in the Verde Valley,” said Suno Chocolate owner Joanne Kim, who worked at Wingfield Bread Company until recently. “I was amazed at how hard-working and resourceful Rachelle is, and her bread is incredible. She uses real butter in her croissants and sometimes mills her wheat.”

The sourdough starter has been cultivated for well over a decade.

Born in Mesa, Wingfield grew up around the Valley of the Sun area and came to Camp Verde in 2010. Her mom and son help with the business remotely. “They do all my accounting and manage production and other projects,” she said. “My dad visits often and helps out a lot, too. We are all very close.”

Wingfield’s 18-year-old daughter, Vera, has worked in the bakery since she was 9 years old. “I really like working with my mom and I appreciate the history behind this building and the old-timers that come in and share their stories.”

In the popular book, “Images of America Camp Verde,” by Steve Ayers and the Camp Verde Historical Society, a chapter called “The Store” is dedicated to the Wingfield Plaza Building. “It was the hub of the community,” said Ayers. “At one time, the post office was housed there, along with a bank and a mercantile that sold just about everything from Navajo rugs to frozen pies.”

The deep roots of the Wingfield family are celebrated on the walls of the bakery with posters and pictures chronicling the events of yesteryear.

“I love their food and their service is great,” said Camp Verde resident Laurie Smith. “About every other week, I drop in for a loaf of sourdough bread. When we’ve having company, I always pick up a carrot or chocolate cake. Their breakfast sandwiches are really good, too.”

Free time for Wingfield is spent with her family. One of her goals is to acquire more commercial accounts. “I would like to continue to serve the community here and be a part of making someone’s day special.” QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

Wingfield Bread Co. is located at 564 S. Main St. in Camp Verde. For more information, call 928-499-0585 or visit
wingfieldbread.com.