Rich Labriola

How a kid raised on the east side of Blue Island became Chicago premier artisan baker.

Rich Labriola started Labriola Baking with his first taste of authentic artisan bread. Rich not only knew that baking his own bread was what he had to do, but that he would do it better than anyone else. It didn’t matter that he didn’t know how to bake because what he lacked in hands-on experience, he made up for with pure passion.

Working with Masters from French, Italian and German methods of bread making, Rich gleaned what he needed from each to create his own style. Being different and unique never scared Rich; but not being the best did.

So he built his bakery his way with quality and authenticity as the foundation. Starters that were unique to each bread were made and tended, and only the purest ingredients would do. Rich began to age his own flour and brought in special Italian ovens all in the name of taste.

Rich found others who shared his passion and work ethic to help him build the business that he has today. Labriola bread is now served in many of the finest restaurants and grocery stores in the Chicago area.

Our Bakery Café

In November, 2008, we opened our Bakery Café in Oakbrook, IL. The menu celebrates European tradition - a thoughtful mix of hot and cold sandwiches, freshly tossed salads, Neapolitan pizzas, pastas, pastries, artisan breads and our house-made gelato. Everything we do is made from scratch, fresh baked throughout the day in full view of our guests who can see each ingredient go into the mix.

Management Team

Nic Andrews General Manager		Matt Kelly Manager

We couldn’t have done it without...

Building the Café was 3 year journey. We are deeply grateful to so many people who help make this dream a reality. If you are crazy enough to try to open a restaurant, call these people:

5thP Marketing- Peter Nolan
Aumiller Youngquist - Bill, Leigh,Brad, Loren, Katrina
Convergence Communications - Tom Purpura
Decadesign- Rene Camadeca
Executive Chef Dean Eliocostas
Ginna Shannon Consulting LLC
IBT - Tim Quay
Kern Construction - Carson Kern , Mike Moore and Sven Molberg
Menu Cast - Don Johnson and Terry Duckworth
Micros POS Systems - Tom Wright
Mugnaini Ovens - Andrea Mugnaini, Michael Fairholme
Nai Hiffman - Denny, Clair, Mike
The Stone Shop - Rick Dolher
Tin Fish - Colin Turner
Trimark Marlin - Jeff Carlin, Anthony Granatelli, Jack and Lisa
XA, the Experiential Agency - Amanda Puck, Laura Windt