About Susan Ortmeyer and Fika Bakeshop Ben Lomond

Welcome to the Fika Bakeshop website! I am a local mom, baker, and gardener who put down roots in Ben Lomond in 2011 with my husband, Jon, and then 2-year old daughter, Rosie. I came from the wilds of Southern California after an undistinguished career as a lawyer. I am much happier now that I am baking for others, gardening, and tending home and family.

I believe in sustainable gardening, seasonal eating, and using fresh, local and organic ingredients whenever possible.

The seeds of Fika Bakeshop were planted early in my life by my Swedish-American mother, Rose Lee Ortmeyer, who passed along Sweden’s cultural traditions through the food she cooked for her family. In a way, Fika Bakeshop is a continuation of an ongoing conversation between me and my Mom about food, family and the everyday happenings of life.

About “Fika”

Fika is pronounced “fee-ka” and is a Swedish word that literally means something close to “coffee break.” However, the concept of fika in Swedish culture is so much more than just grabbing a paper cup of coffee and drinking it on the go, as we Americans tend to do. In Sweden, the word fika encompasses a whole cultural concept:

Fika is a concept, a state of mind, an attitude and an important part of Swedish culture. Many Swedes consider that it is almost essential to make time for fika every day. It means making time for friends and colleagues to share a cup of coffee (or tea) and a little something to eat. . . .

All Swedes consider it important to make time to stop and socialise: to take a pause. It refreshes the brain and strengthens relationships.

— www.swedishfood.com/fika

To me, the concept of fika is an antidote to the busyness of modern life. My aim is to impart the Swedish values of mindfulness, intentionality, and enjoyment of life’s small pleasures into every baked good that I create.