Ricky Webster is dedicated to providing the Spokane community with a fun and unique food experience through his bakery, Morsel by Rind and Wheat.
Located in east-central Spokane at 421 S. Cowley St., Morsel specializes in seasonal and cultural breads, pastries and specialty sandwiches. The bakery made its debut in April 2021 as the second location of Webster’s first bakery, Rind and Wheat, which is located in Browne’s Addition neighborhood in Spokane.
Webster, head chef and owner of Morsel, grew up baking and was constantly surrounded by food. He credits this upbringing for being the reason he became a chef.
“Food was always around, and food always brought the family together,” Webster said. “I think taking care of people, feeding people is very much just what I gravitated towards.”
Morsel and Rind and Wheat sell signature artisan breads but are distinct in their other offerings. Rind and Wheat specialize in wine and artisan cheeses, while Morsel boasts more robust takeout breakfast and lunch options. Pastry options are also split up among the two bakeries.
Webster finds that he channels his Portuguese heritage into the food he prepares at Morsel by creating recipes that are based off traditional Portuguese dishes he grew up eating. An example of this is “The Riverfront Parq” sandwich sold at Morsel, which is a traditional Portuguese bifana (sandwich) made on a traditional Portuguese papo seco (roll).
“The food here is more representative of my Portuguese heritage and background,” Webster said. “There’s definitely a few things on the menu that are Portuguese inspired [that] my grandma used to make me.”
Megan Gaines is the bakery operations manager for Morsel and co-creates recipes with Webster. They have over 40 years worth of experience in the cooking industry between the two of them, but Gaines finds that they are constantly learning as they go. A key part of Morsel’s operations, according to Gaines, is listening to their customers’ feedback and seeing what sells well in the shop.
Morsel strives to provide food that can only be found at their store, according to Gaines.
“What makes [Morsel] unique is that we try and offer pastries as well as savory items that you cannot find anywhere else in Spokane,” Gaines said.
An important focus for Webster is that he, and his business, give back to the Spokane community. He does this through food donations and participation in charity events. He also ensures that he supports the local agricultural community by purchasing locally sourced produce.
Webster wants Morsel’s customers to know that he cares about where his ingredients are coming from and the people growing those ingredients. With the pumpkin season approaching, Webster anticipates purchasing about 150 lbs. of pumpkins from an orchard in Green Bluff.
It is this attention to detail, Gaines believes, that separates Morsel from other bakeries.
“[Customers] can taste the quality of the ingredients that we use and the passion that we put into all of our products,” Gaines said.
Webster does not expect to further expand the Rind and Wheat brand anytime soon, and instead wants to focus on improving their current locations.
“[I hope] to keep pushing the envelope, continuing to push the culinary scene forward,” Webster said. "[It] has always been the goal to make high end pasty that feels like something new and interesting.”
Morsel is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. They offer delivery through GrubHub as well as catering. For more information, visit their website at http://rindandwheat.com.