About Us

Crafting Artisanal Sourdough with Passion and Expertise

Worth Her Salt Sourdough was founded in 2024 by Jen Cheski, owner and baker.  Our Woodstock, IL-based bakery is dedicated to creating artisanal sourdough bread and baked goods that use locally grown and milled organic flours and premium ingredients that nourish both body and soul.

Our Story

Worth Her Salt Sourdough was founded in 2024 by Jen Cheski, owner and baker. With a background in both culinary arts and education, Jen’s passion for learning and creating has shaped her journey into artisan bread-making.

As a wife and mother, Jen has always prioritized nourishing her family with wholesome, nutritious food. Her exploration into sourdough began in 2015 as part of her own health journey, leading her to discover the beauty of real sourdough—made simply with flour, water, and salt. What started as a personal pursuit quickly turned into a passion, and as she shared her loaves with family and friends, word spread. Soon, people were asking to buy her bread, inspiring her to launch a cottage bakery in 2019.

Fast forward to today, and Jen is proudly producing handcrafted sourdough enjoyed by customers across Northern Illinois and the Greater Chicagoland area.

Expertise and Commitment

Jen Cheski is a culinary school graduate with professional experience in catering, culinary education, production, and personal chef services. Her diverse background shapes our flavor-focused approach, with each loaf featuring carefully curated blends of flours and ingredients to create unique, delicious bread.

Our commitment to quality, community, and safety is at the heart of everything we do:

  • We use locally grown, stone-milled, certified organic flours.
  • We actively support the local food economy by partnering with local growers and food producers.
  • We select only premium ingredients, because the best ingredients create the best-tasting bread.
  • We uphold the highest standards of food safety and sanitation as Illinois Certified Food Protection Managers.

Our Team

Alongside Jen, Mary Clare Cheski serves as our Operations Manager and Assistant Baker. Together, this mother daughter team brings a perfect blend of culinary expertise and operational efficiency to our bakery. As a cottage food operation, we take pride in our ability to create high-quality products while maintaining the personal touch that only a small, dedicated team can provide.

Our Process

In our dedicated home bakery space, bread dough is carefully hand mixed and fermented. New products make their way to our menu often, but not before they are thoroughly tweaked and tested.

Our process is a labor of love, combining time-honored techniques with modern precision to create sourdough that's truly worth its salt. We adhere to strict food safety guidelines, ensuring that our kitchen meets all the requirements set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health for cottage food operations.

Our Products

We specialize in freshly baked artisan sourdough bread and baked goods. Each product is crafted with care, using locally grown and stone-milled organic flours, and high-quality ingredients. Our focus on whole grains and natural fermentation processes results in bread that's flavor forward, wholesome, and nutritious.

Our Service Area

At Worth Her Salt Sourdough, we're proud to call Woodstock home, but we serve a wide range of communities across Northern Illinois and the Greater Chicagoland area. Our artisanal sourdough breads and baked goods are available to customers in:

Counties We Serve

  • McHenry County
  • Lake County
  • Cook County

Our Commitment to
Health and Quality

At Worth Her Salt Sourdough, we cater to  folks who love good, healthy food. Our sourdough is more than just bread; it's a testament to the benefits of traditional baking methods and the best ingredients.

The long fermentation process we employ not only enhances flavor but also improves digestibility and nutrient absorption. Stone-milled flours retain more flavor and nutrition than conventional flour - and combined this is a win-win.

Our commitment to quality aligns with the growing demand for artisanal, locally-produced foods that offer both nutrition and exceptional taste.

Looking to the Future

While we currently operate on a direct-to-consumer model, we have ambitious plans for the future. We’re committed to continuing to grow and expand to bring the best sourdough bread and goods across Northern Illinois.

Our Community

We are proud to be part of the vibrant food scene in Northern Illinois. As a woman-owned and led small business, we’re committed to partnering with and supporting other local, small businesses.

From Woodstock to Chicago, and everywhere in between, we are dedicated to serving our communities with the finest sourdough bread available.

Our involvement in local farmers' markets, food events, and educational opportunities allows us to connect directly with our customers and share our passion for artisanal sourdough baking.

Connect With Us

We love hearing from our customers and fellow bread enthusiasts. Whether you have questions about our products, want to place an order, or partner with us , we're always here to chat.

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