We are Bluestem, scratch cooking and sourdough, in rural Nebraska

James Isom and Aubrey Saltus both fell in love with food at an early age. Isom, a Valentine, Nebraska native and professional baker spent the last 10 years working for Whole Foods developing bread programs and training staff, opening stores across the US. His career with Whole Foods ended when he decided it was time to move back to a small town. Aubrey, a small-town-girl herself, spent six years after high school in San Francisco where she was the Chef and Program Director of Thumbtack’s in-house Culinary Team. Family and a simpler life drew her back to Nebraska. James and Aubrey met in Omaha, consulting on a menu development project, Aubrey on food, James on bread. One thing lead to another, and they now reside in her hometown of Henderson, Nebraska. Aubrey works full-time as the Executive Director of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and James works full-time for Pleasant Hill Grain. They have started Bluestem as a side project to their already established careers. If it’s after work hours, you can find them making a mess in the kitchen, pulling weeds in the garden, playing outdoors or riding their bikes some great distance for a good meal. To say hi, email us at bluestemne@gmail.com or find us on Instagram.