America has always had a love affair with bread and nowhere is that more evident than the bustling Stick Boy Bread Company on Main Street in Fuquay-Varina.

The business, owned by Josh and Katie Dies, offers everything from fresh baked breads, steaming cappuccinos, delicious cinnamon rolls, and decadent chocolate tortes.

Josh and Katie's love affair with bread, and with each other, actually started many years ago when they were college students and she was working part time at the original Stick Boy in Boone. He visited during her shift and became hooked on the delicate art of bread making.

When they moved to Wake County after their marriage, they realized they wanted something a little different than their chosen careers and decided to open up shop.

"We really were determined to be in Fuquay around the people that we knew and the community that we love," Katie said.

The couple renovated an old building on Main Street and opened the doors of the Stick Boy Bread Company in January of 2008.

At Stick Boy, all yeast breads are made fresh from scratch each day.

Josh, who also happens to be the head bread baker, starts his overnight baking shift at 9 p.m. to mix the dough. On a typical week night, before his shift ends at 6 p.m., he's produced between 88 and 100 loaves of bread.

The bread is made using an Old World kind of method, Katie said. There are no chemicals or preservatives.

"Nothing that we serve is shipped in frozen from thousands of miles away like in most 'supermarket' bakeries," she said. "Nothing is taken out of a box, put in the oven for 10 minutes, and then labeled 'fresh baked.' This is the real thing. We promise - and we promise that you will be able to taste the difference."

This year at the North Carolina State Fair, Josh was awarded Best in Show in the Professional Artisan Breads division. He also received a Blue Ribbon and Best in Show for his Old World Sourdough, and 2nd Place for his French Baguette.

One of the local favorites is foccacia (pronounced it fuh-kah-chuh with the accent on the kah). It's like pizza without the sauce, but way better, Katie said. An Italian crust is first brushed with olive oil and then topped with different ingredients that could include any combination of mozzarella, feta, parmesan, and cheddar cheeses, fresh basil, tomatoes, spinach, garlic, kalamata olives, mushrooms and other great toppings.

Served at room temperature, foccacia is sold by the slice, in a combo, or by the pan if you order it a day ahead of time.

Or to go with the season, try their Cran Apple Pumpkinseed Stuffing Bread or their famous sweet Pumpkin Walnut bread. And for holiday galas, be sure to check out their Stuffing Bread. The name alone just screams Thanksgiving!

Take-outs

If you are feeding a group of people for a work lunch or a party at your home, Stick Boy's take-outs fit the bill. They can put together a meal of foccacia and desserts for any size group. For help with menu planning and pricing just call Stick Boy and ask to speak to their catering manager.

Katie said Stick Boy is gearing up for the holiday season and offering gift certificates and all types of gift baskets to fit any budget.

"We will work with all budgets and give them a little piece of Fuquay in our gift baskets," she stated.

A variety of breads and pastries are made fresh daily and you can find the choices of the day on their Web site at http://www.stickboyfuquay.com/index.htm.

Hours of operation at the Stick Boy Bread Company are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.; Saturday from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Normally closed on Sundays, they will be open during the Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade. So be sure to stop by for coffee, hot chocolate or some delicious pastries.