Edited by Mia Tandingan
Have you ever had a cookie that felt like home—but in a totally new way? That’s kind of the magic behind Chipidee Cookies, a Bay Area-based small business that’s turning heads (and satisfying sweet cravings) with flavors like guava and taro mochi. It’s not just about making cookies, though—it’s about culture, community, and now, sustainability too.
We recently sat down with the founder of Chipidee Cookies to talk about how it all got started, how it’s going, and how a partnership with Kurated Kultura helped take things to the next level.
It All Started with a Question
The idea behind Chipidee Cookies came from a simple thought: what’s actually new in the cookie world? After noticing that most bakeries stick to the same old chocolate chip, founder Alexander Bachar wanted to try something different—something inspired by the unique mix of cultures in the Bay Area.
“I wanted to create a new home-style cookie,” he said. “Flavors that feel familiar but are inspired by Asian cultures—things people don’t usually expect to find in a cookie.”
That’s how Chipidee was born. The name was chosen to capture a playful, feel-good energy—something lighthearted, joyful, and comforting. Which, honestly, is exactly what you want in a cookie.
From Marketing to Mochi
Before baking cookies, Alex actually worked in marketing and journalism, helping startups and writing about trends in food and entertainment. After his last tech gig ended, he decided to try something new—and completely different.
He wasn't a trained baker at all, but he taught themselves everything, from recipe testing to branding to finding the right audience.
“I just wanted to put my name on something that felt like me,” he said.
Cookies That Care: The Kurated Kultura Collab
Alex talks a lot about flavor and quality—but what really comes through is his love for the people he’s building alongside. One of the coolest parts of Chipidee’s journey has been their partnership with Kurated Kultura, a brand founded by Alexa, who the founder actually met years ago at CrossFit.
“Highlights, honestly, just reconnecting with [Alexa] on a business level, seeing her grow and flourish in her craft and how dedicated and how much of a community she's created, is actually one of my favorite things… she introduced me to a whole other community of people who have the shared vision, who are also AAPI… I love Alexa. She's like my home girl.”
The collaboration started when Alexa asked Alex about making lactation cookies for new moms as part of Kurated Kultura’s postpartum care kits. Alex had actually never thought about that before, but after learning about the importance of supporting moms after birth, both of them were totally on board.
They created a special cookie using ingredients like oats, flaxseed, and yeast—nutrient-packed and still super tasty. It was the beginning of something meaningful, and it opened the door to bigger conversations about sustainability.
Making Cookies More Sustainable
Before teaming up with Kurated Kultura and The R0W (a sustainability-focused initiative), Alex hadn’t really thought about how much waste was coming from packaging. But after taking a closer look—like seeing how many stickers, boxes, and wrappers were being thrown away—it became clear: something had to change.
Now, Chipidee proudly uses compostable bags for packaging, especially for the collab kits with Kurated Kultura. And they’re working toward more eco-friendly options like sustainable boxes, labels, and locally sourced ingredients.
“There’s still a lot to learn,” Alex said. “But I want to get better, and I want to do better.”
Flavors That Speak for Themselves
If you’re wondering what to try first, the Taro Mochi Cookie and the Guava Cookie are not just fan favorites, but they also show what Chipidee is all about.
“You could go 10 blocks and get 1000 chocolate chip cookies, but you can't go one block and find a guava cookie. And so I think our flavors and our quality of ingredients are what make us a standout,” Alex stated.
What’s Next?
Right now, Chipidee Cookies only ships in the Bay Area, but there are big dreams on the horizon. The founder hopes to grow across the West Coast, maybe even following a model like In-N-Out—local, iconic, and always true to its roots.
And when it comes to sustainability, there’s more to come too: better packaging, more local sourcing, and hopefully a one-stop-shop for all their eco-friendly needs.
Whether you’re a cookie lover, a sustainability nerd, or just someone who loves seeing small businesses thrive, this collab between Chipidee Cookies and Kurated Kultura is one to watch (and taste).
You can check them out online:
Instagram: @chipideecookies
Website: chipideecookies.com
Trust us—the cookies are as good as they sound. ☺
