Hi! I’m Codruța Popa — baker, storyteller, and the owner behind Codru de Pâine.

My story began in a small apartment, at a time when I couldn’t even imagine where this road would take me.
Discovering sourdough bread was the moment that changed my life. It all started with a blog, where I passionately shared my experiences, discoveries, and knowledge about sourdough bread. Soon after, I began baking for friends.

Their appreciation and encouragement gave me the confidence to go further and start learning baked goods beyond bread — pastries, sweets, and cakes. I still remember the smell of my first successful loaf — and it reminds me every day why I chose this path. I still remember the emotions and the sleepless night when I received my first order for an anniversary cake. I also remember the overwhelming feeling of making babka for people other than my own family.

Customers, who in time became friends, admire my tenacity and my capacity for work. But when you do what you love, no work ever feels hard or too much. As a self-taught baker, everything I did was driven by passion, love, and a deep desire to learn more and become better every day.

With the support of friends and loved ones, I started dreaming of having a real bakery — a place where I could share with the world the very best products I know how to make. This is how Codru de Pâine was first born in 2013. But it turned out I wasn’t ready, and that wasn’t my moment yet. What followed was a rough path, with many ups and downs in my personal life. Through it all, one thing remained constant: I never gave up on my love for baking.

At the end of 2025, everything fell into place, and a new Codru de Pâine story began. Everything I’ve learned over the years is now part of what we offer.

I feel incredibly lucky to be able to share with you products that are carefully tested and made with respect — for the ingredients, the process, and the people who enjoy them — in our lab.

From sourdough breads to sourdough pastries and cakes, we do our best to bring flavour, colour, and joy to your everyday moments and special days.

Today, we take great pride in being part of our customers’ meals — their everyday tables, as well as their celebrations, events, and holidays. We work continuously to improve our recipes, we prioritize quality above all else, and we carefully choose the best ingredients for every product we make.

I am deeply grateful for all the support and love I’ve received over the years, and baking is my way of giving that gratitude back. There is no greater joy than being chosen to be part of your family dinners, your celebrations, and your most meaningful moments.