Baked Knightly

Veteran-Owned Artisan Bakery Blends Service, Family & Community

Yennefer Brumley’s Baked Knightly is an artisan bakery where every loaf tells a story — straight from her kitchen. As a female veteran and former U.S. Army culinary team member, Brumley brings a unique blend of military discipline and Renaissance hospitality to her baking. Today, she carries that same focus into her home-kitchen bakery.

At Baked Knightly, the focus is on slow, hand-crafted baking using traditional methods. Brumley and her son work side by side, mixing, kneading and shaping dough by hand — no stand mixers here. What sets Baked Knightly apart is its commitment to ingredients and process. They mill their own organic flours and use only natural flavors, avoiding artificial dyes or chemicals.

Brumley says her approach to food reflects her values. Bread, for example, is universal.

“No matter the culture, there’s a version of it,” she says. “Breaking bread creates a connection, even when you can’t speak the same language. That idea drives everything I do with the bakery.”

The result is a lineup of breads and baked goods that feel timeless: tangy sourdough, fluffy white bread, cinnamon sugar brioche, and soft pretzel rolls that have drawn steady interest in the Kokomo community. Customers know they are getting something honest, and that trust has helped the bakery find its place at local markets, events and schools.

Beyond the oven, Brumley’s military background shapes her approach to community. She served from 2009 to 2016, earning Top Chef honors three years in a row. Her time with the Army culinary team took her around the world, competing and feeding people in crisis.

“Cooking has always been a passion,” she says. “Even in the military, I wanted to feed people, especially in moments of need.”

Brumley says she never imagined the infantry would be part of her path. She was married and had three young children when she enlisted. The timing was unusual — President Obama had just passed a rule requiring women in the infantry, and every woman leaving boot camp was assigned there.

“It was literally the one thing I said I couldn’t do,” she says. “But I still got to do the culinary team, so I wore two hats. One moment I was in a field in South Carolina, the next I was on a plane to Italy for a competition.”

Her motivation was never just combat. She wanted to feed people, especially in times of crisis.

“When there’s a natural disaster, the culinary team goes in and feeds people,” she says. “I wanted to do something good. It wasn’t just about fighting — it was about helping.”

She also participated in initiatives like the Go Green project, which focused on healthy eating and building community gardens across the United States.

“I loved that,” she adds. “It’s right in my wheelhouse. I want to feed people.”

After her service, Brumley returned to Kokomo, where she and her son launched Baked Knightly from their home kitchen. They now offer fresh-baked bread and pastries at local events and farmers markets, along with providing food to local marching bands.

Most notably, Baked Knightly provides food to those in need — any customer who cannot afford food for themselves or their family can approach a Baked Knightly employee at any event and say “pineapple.” Brumley will know what that means and will provide items for them or their family.

Brumley’s story is not just about baking. It’s about discipline learned in service, family ties in the kitchen, giving back to her community, and a belief that food made with care has lasting value.

For orders or general inquiries, email bakedknightly2024@gmail.com or call 765-860-5662. You can also visit bakedknightly.com.