Meet Sam Allen | Executive Pastry Chef & Owner of Wentworth & Fenn

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is everything when you start a business. Plus, navigating that business after you’ve started it.

There’s no guarantee. Will people come? Are they going to continue to support after the “hype” is gone?

There’s many times where I’ve had to look at my future and say “this is it, cant turn back now” and I go for it.

But, for me, I stand firm on the saying “if you never try, you’ll never know”. The risk is worth the reward.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is a small gourmet bakery here in Charlotte, NC. We make small, seasonal pastries, artisan bread, custom cakes, and wedding cakes.

It took longer to get where I am than most businesses because I’m self funded. There aren’t any investors. It’s just me. I’m incredibly proud to see what I’ve built over the years and how much the bakery has grown. It’s wild to step back and really look at it.

We started out in a home kitchen. Built out a 1961 Shasta Camper as a mobile storefront (to take to events, weddings, etc to sell our pastries). From there we upgraded and moved into our current location at Camp North End. We’ve had a storefront for almost two years, so naturally, time to expand and make it bigger! So, we’ve renovated to enhance the bakery and guests experience.

I feel humbled to see the bakery grow in this manner because for a moment, I didn’t think we were going to make it. Covid happened…we had to pivot majorly to survive. Thankfully locals wanted to support. Without them and the staff at Camp North End, we wouldn’t have pulled through and gotten to this point.

Some of the lessons I’ve learned through trying to start up a business, running it, surviving it, is this:

If you want it bad enough, you’ll make it happen.

Success will only come to you if you persevere and bust your ass to gain it.

Build a great team. Without a great team, you’re nothing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Charlotte is a fun city. Especially if you know where to go.

Restaurants that are a must to visit would be:

Lang Van
Restaurant Constance
Counter-
Supperland
The Diamond (fried pickles, baby)
Yume
Beef & Bottle
Plant Joy
Gosh, there’s so many good places here in Charlotte.

Some fun dive bars I would take them to would be:

Sanctuary
Johnny Dollars
Midwood Country Club
Two Buck Saloon
Thirsty Beaver
Smokey Joe’s

But! For activities…Charlottes got a lot.

White Water Center is a must Definitely have to go hike at Crowders Mountain. Go explore Camp North End (where the bakery is). Snag tickets to a baseball game.

It would be nothing short of a fun and food filled visit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve met a lot of people in my career. Worked with a lot of folks and different chefs.

However, I wouldn’t say just one person. The entire group of Pastry Chefs here in Charlotte are amazing. We all are friends, which is a massive plus! But, it’s so amazing to have their support. To be able to call or have conversations with them and pick their brain on how to go about things.

It’s always inspired me to do better. To keep pushing. This isn’t a field for the weak, I’ll say that. Having their support and mentorship means everything

Website: www.wentworthandfenn.com

Instagram: wentworth_and_fenn

Facebook: Wentworth & Fenn

Image Credits
Justin Driscoll Photography (main photo)