Kohnen’s Country Bakery

Specialties

Kohnen’s Country Bakery, located in historic downtown Tehachapi, California, is a delightful contemporary German bakery designed with Old World Charm. Honoring his German food traditions, baker Thomas Kohnen makes every batch from scratch — including some 20 varieties of artisan breads dense with whole grains, full flavors, and crisp crusts. Kohnen’s offers fresh bread baked daily, including crusty rye, basil-​barley garden, six-​grain, sun dried tomato, delicate cinnamon raisin, and even pizza bread, not to mention pretzels, boiled-​then-​baked bagels, and Brötchen — traditional, crusty German breakfast rolls. We also offer refreshing German beer and freshly brewed iced tea.

Desserts are gorgeous and irresistible, too. A few temptations are cinnamon crisps, apricot-​walnut kolaches, and espresso chocolate chip cookies. The café also serves fresh-​made soups and made-​to-​order sandwiches using Kohnen’s breads for take-​out, dining inside, or on the patio.

We were recently awarded TripAdvisor’s 2015 Certificate of Excellence, so make sure to stop by soon!

History

Established in 2004.

When Thomas Kohnen went on to begin training in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties he met his wife Colleen, a native California girl. Thomas and Colleen took their first step into the business world in February 1989 when the young, energetic couple took over the operation of the landmark Bill Baker bakery in Ojai, California.

After operating Bill Baker successfully for nearly 15 years, they were forced to vacate their historic bakery when the building was sold. An Ojai neighbor’s suggestion lured them to Tehachapi, CA, where the Kohnen’s discovered better housing prices, a friendly community of about 11,000 just right for raising their two children, and an old potato packinghouse and antique shed in need of renovation.

It was In 2004 that they opened a new contemporary German bakery designed with Old World charm — Kohnen’s Country Bakery.

Meet the Business Owner

Thomas and Colleen K.

Business Owner

Thomas Kohnen enjoyed 22 years of pleasant family life in his home town of Bottrop, West Germany. In August 1977, he took an apprenticeship as a Konditor (Confectionist) at the Franz Bergendahl Bacherrei. It was the biggest bakery in town and very well known for its disciplined training procedures. He worked as an apprentice for three years while also attending trade school. He became a tested and proven journeyman, learning his trade from A to Z.

At age 19 he joined the German Navy for 15 months. He left as Lance Corporal. Continuing to work for Franz Bergendahl and was offered the opportunity to go on a training program in the United States. At age 22 he left his hometown to head for the unknown.

It wasn’t until 1989 when Thomas and his wife ventured into the business world, and in 2004, they opened Kohnen’s Country Bakery.