BTB: Kimberly Kazarian amirkhanian
This week we introduce you to…
Kimberly Kazarian Amirkhanian
Kim wears many hats at Rye Goods. As the general manager, she oversees the bakery’s daily operations, but her role stretches far beyond a title. On any given day, she may be filling in as a barista, jumping onto the deli line, fixing whatever needs repair, or answering her phone, no matter the hour.
Born and raised in Orange County and now living in Pasadena, Kim’s connection to food began early. She grew up spending much of her time in the kitchen, learning that cooking was less about precision and more about care. Coming from a large Armenian family, hospitality was woven into her upbringing.
“Hospitality is kind of our thing”
She says, recalling a childhood filled with large gatherings, shared meals, and being thrown into the joyful chaos of feeding many people at once.
That foundation continues to shape her work today. Kim draws inspiration from her heritage as well as from her travels, gravitating toward food that tells a story. She shares the same values that the bakery was built on: making things from scratch, minimizing waste, and cooking with intention.
Kim joined Rye Goods in 2018 after returning from a Birthright trip to Armenia. At the time, the bakery was operating out of founder Sara’s garage. Drawn to Rye’s focus on real food and organic ingredients during the trend-heavy moment of rainbow foods and Instagram-driven food culture, Kim reached out directly. She soon became Rye Goods’ first legal employee, balancing another job while helping the bakery grow from its earliest days.
One of Kim’s greatest strengths is her understanding of the business from the ground up. Having worked nearly every position in the shop, she brings a practical, empathetic approach to management. That experience informs everything from hiring and training to menu development, allowing her to support the team with a clear understanding of what happens behind the scenes.
What keeps her coming back year after year is her belief in both the product and the people. The staff at Rye Goods, she says, is deeply passionate and genuinely fun to work with.
“Our staff is really special. It makes work so much more enjoyable when the crew is a great time and also passionate about their craft.”
Some of Kim’s fondest memories come from the early garage days, especially the weekly trips to the Santa Monica Chefs Farmers Market. Those mornings were hectic and exhausting, but full of energy and excitement. Watching Rye Goods grow from a home bakery to bustling shops with lines down the street during the holidays has been especially rewarding. Being part of communities in Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, and Tustin, and seeing familiar customers return again and again, remains one of the most fulfilling aspects of her work.
Outside of Rye Goods, Kim’s life is centered on balance and exploration. She enjoys hot yoga, farmers markets, estate sales, and long walks with her husband and their dog, Shoonik. Catalina Island holds a special place in her heart for weekend trips. A second home where she spent her summers growing up and still escapes whenever possible.
When it comes to the menu, Kim loves some seasonal classics. Stone fruit pies in the summer, hot cross buns in the spring, and comforting savory dishes when the days are long. Her favorite loaf is a simple rye hearth or country loaf, best enjoyed toasted with good French butter and Maldon salt.
“I feel very personally connected to the brand after all the years I have been around and seeing it come to life”
Looking ahead, Kim sees her role at Rye Goods continuing to evolve. After years of growth and change, her connection to the bakery has become deeply personal. She may not know exactly what the future holds, but one thing is certain: Rye Goods will always be part of her story.