Meet the Baker: Lily Watnik

On her first week at the Market:

"When I arrived, the bread was already beautiful and delicious," she says. "It felt like the bread and program had already been loved and cared for. Everyone on the team has been incredibly generous with their knowledge, and I’m excited to explore some more adventurous ideas - including for decorative breads."

We’re excited to introduce Lily Watnik, one of the newest additions to the Stockton Market family.

A lifelong resident of Princeton, New Jersey, Lily’s love of baking began at home when she was just 14 years old. Some of her earliest food memories are rooted in family traditions, including a cake her grandmother made that she still remembers fondly today: seven layers of vanilla cake spiked with almond, affectionately known in her family as the "Hedgehog Cake."

Growing up in Princeton also meant frequent visits to Terra Momo’s Witherspoon Bread Company. Lily vividly recalls the head baker shaping baguettes into whimsical animals and flowers which were displayed in the window. That sense of wonder stayed with her. "It felt like Christmas morning," Lily says.

Lily’s first professional baking job was at Lilipies in Princeton, where she worked on everything from bread and pies to tarts and cakes. From there, she moved to Philadelphia to join the team at Suraya, working in both bread and pastry. Her time at Suraya was particularly influential. Inspired by the bakery’s head baker and his constant desire to learn and improve, Lily developed a deep appreciation for the details that separate a good product from a great one. "I learned how much attention to detail matters," she says. "The smallest changes can have a big impact on aroma, texture, and flavor. It was exciting to work in a fine dining environment because everyone was on their A game"

One of Lily’s biggest inspirations is baker and author Melissa Weller, whose approachable style, beautifully crafted breads, and thoughtful writing continue to influence her work. She also fondly recalls Melissa Weller’s chocolate babka from Walnut Street Café as one of her favorite baked goods while working in Philadelphia. 

When it comes to holiday traditions, panettone holds a special place in Lily’s heart. Every year she bakes panettone for friends and family, delighting in both the process and the excitement it brings to those who receive it.

Now at Stockton Market, Lily is eager to continue learning while contributing her own creativity to the bakery program. "When I arrived, the bread was already beautiful and delicious," she says. "It felt like the bread and program had already been loved and cared for. Everyone on the team has been incredibly generous with their knowledge, and I’m excited to explore some more adventurous ideas - including for decorative breads."