By Kyle Fengler, co-owner Loaves and Fishes and The Bridgehampton Inn:

From Schleswig-Holstein to Sagaponack

The ethos of Loaves and Fishes stems from a fascinating cultural journey. Our family were pig farmers in Schleswig-Holstein in North Germany. My grandmother moved here first to Frenchtown in New Jersey in 1960, and then out to the Hamptons.

There's a remarkable congruency between the North German coastal landscape and the Hamptons, which is actually why they moved here to begin with - the area is very similar to living near the water in North Germany.

A Quiet Immigrant Community

Like many immigrant stories, my grandparents didn't realize how much of a specific German community existed here until they arrived. This community connection helped my grandparents and my mother when they first moved to the Hamptons. We try to stay close with our family in Germany and my step-family from Holland in the Netherlands.

Throughout the summer and the year, we host relatives, allowing us to see our family and watch new generations grow up, even when we don't have time to visit Europe as frequently as we'd like.

Culinary Influences Today

While Shippy's was probably the most classic German establishment out here, there isn't a strong German culinary influence in the area anymore. At our restaurant, we're more focused on French cuisine - our chef is classically French trained and exceptional at what he does. I try not to interfere too much with his creativity, though we do collaborate when it feels organic. 

The German influences are much more evident at Loaves and Fishes in Sagaponack. Our food store menu changes weekly and features greater variety in culinary influences, including those German dishes from my grandmother's traditions.

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🌐 Loaves and Fishes

About

This card was written by Kyle Fengler. Kyle represents the new generation of his family's storied Hamptons culinary empire, which includes Loaves and Fishes Food Store, Loaves and Fishes Cookshop, and the Bridgehampton Inn & Restaurant. 

A Hamptons native with a Parsons School of Design education, Kyle pivoted from graphic design to hospitality, bringing a designer's eye and mixologist's palate to the family businesses. 

Image

@loavesandfishesfoodstore / Instagram