Talking Story with Hawaii’s Living History: Ted Nakamura

Hawaii’s Living History

Ted Nakamura of Ted’s Bakery is quiet and a bit shy—yet warm, and easy to talk to—a country boy at heart. Add to this persona a quick, sharp business mind and the ability to keep re-inventing himself and his business (and did I mention the best pies, cake, breads, pastries, shrimp, bentos…oh my!) and you begin to get a clearer picture of the Ted behind Ted’s Bakery.

A bit of background. Having been born and raised in Sunset Beach, Ted is the younger of two sons born to his parents, Takemitsu and Eva Nakamura who first came to Sunset Beach to farm. In time, the Nakamura fruit stand grew to become Sunset Beach Store. Meanwhile, Ted graduated from Kahuku High School back in the mid-1970’s, and then Leeward Community College, where he studied food service. He went on to use his newfound skills as pastry chef at the old Kahala Hilton and Pacific Beach Hotels. Then, in 1987, Ted moved back to Sunset Beach and opened Ted’s Bakery inside the Sunset Beach Store.

When I talked with Ted, he didn’t mention the numerous awards he’s won over the years; The 1999 Honolulu Star Bulletin’s Blind Taste Challenge, The Honolulu Advertiser’s People’s Choice Awards 2006, Associated Content’s 5 Best Places to Eat on Oahu, The Honolulu Advertiser Best Bakery 2007-2008 and 2008-2009;  just to name a few.  But Ted did talk about how his parents had the foresight to purchase the Sunset Beach property back in the 1950’s. And he spoke excitedly about his new venture, a Ted’s Bakery Shop newly opened in Chigasaki, Japan. Soon after our talk, Ted invited me to a quick behind the scenes tour of his bakery (see video), and was generous enough to answer a few questions for our Hawaii Traditions readers. Read on!

JAN: Could you please give me a brief history of how the Sunset Beach Store and Ted’s Bakery began?

TED: The beginning? Sunset Beach Store opened in 1956 by Ted’s mom and dad; Takemitsu and Eva Nakamura. It opened as a mom and pop grocery store. In 1987, I opened Ted’s Bakery [inside the original Sunset Beach store]. Today, we sell bakery items such as pies, cakes and pastries. We also sell pies and cakes wholesale to local merchants such as Longs, Times and Don Quijote, and Foodland. Ted’s Bakery also sells plate lunches, sandwiches, salads, coffee and merchandise.

JAN: Ted’s Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie is famous! What’s the scoop on how this awesome creation came to be?

TED: The “invention” of the Chocolate-Haupia Cream Pie? Well, it just so happened that one day, those two ingredients, (chocolate and haupia) were being used for two other orders. I decided to experiment and layered the two flavors together. The combination seemed to be a perfect match. Today, it is our top selling pie.

JAN: Anything new going on at Ted’s Bakery that you’d like to let the world know about?

TED: Ted’s Garlic Shrimp Plate is fast becoming a popular favorite among both locals and visitors. Come in early (in the morning) to try Ted’s Glazers—Ted’s own special recipe for a “super ono” doughnut! Ted’s Bakery recently celebrated its grand opening in September, in Chigasaki, Japan.

What are your Ted’s Bakery experiences? Share them with us, here at Hawaii Traditions!

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