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June 11, 2025
At Twist, they open recipes, not jars. From house-made syrups and dressings to bread and breakfast sausages, Twist curates its ingredients to ensure no artificial coloring or flavors are part of its mix and handicrafts for the majority of its offerings. And if you have food restrictions, Twist was designed from day one to serve guests with dietary restrictions without compromise.
Our next Burlington Business Spotlight checks all the boxes of delicious taste, with fantastic selections that also happen to address the top 9 allergens. Twist Bakery Cafe is a 100% dedicated gluten-free, peanut-free and nut-free café and bakery located at the 3rd Avenue Shops in Burlington, Massachusetts.
We recently spoke with Kathryn Ernst, Founder and CEO of Twist, to learn about the company: products, inspiration, and future. Here’s what we learned.
What Is Twist Bakery Cafe?
Twist Bakery Cafe isn’t just an ordinary bakery. It’s a bakery with a “twist” by accommodating all of the top nine food allergens while also creating food that the whole family craves. Flavor comes first, and that is what Twist Bakery Cafe does best.
Seasonal menu items include freshly made traditional breakfast items such as eggs with pancakes, toast or French toast. Breakfast sandwiches are great for those on the go with English muffin sandwiches, breakfast tacos or warm wake-up bowls. Lunch items include classic hamburgers, tuna, chicken or turkey on a house-made bulkie roll. Or try one of their other popular items like the mac and cheese, quesadillas, or melts! There is even a kids’ menu for little ones who enjoy grilled cheese, French Toast Dippers, and breakfast items.
Looking at the menu, you may have difficulty choosing your favorite item to taste. Kathryn revealed in a recent interview that the carrot cake and lemon squares are two of the most popular bakery items and the breakfast sandwiches top the list on the food menu.
Twist also offers an extensive catering menu for parties or gatherings and a comprehensive drink menu to complement any meal.
The Brainchild of Twist
The inspiration for Twist was sparked by Kathryn’s personal experience growing up with food allergies and her children’s struggles with them as well. Her family was frustrated by the lack of options, fresh ingredients, and, most of all, taste. While swapping frozen or boxed options for homemade choices, Kathryn began her journey in creating recipes that accommodated allergies while still providing exceptional taste.
At first, Kathryn struggled to find recipes that accommodated her restrictions and had the flavor she wanted. As a scratch cook and baker, Kathryn set out to make her own gluten-free concoctions, spending nearly a year testing recipes in her home as she considered herself a “mad scientist” in the kitchen. Her family supported her efforts and became her guinea pigs to determine what tasted best. She eventually found the right combinations and created familiar and favorite menu items that accommodated her food sensitivities.
After achieving success with her recipes, Kathryn recognized that her family could not be alone in their frustrations with the lack of selection and access. Thus, Twist Bakery Cafe was born in 2011 with the opening of Twist in Millis, Massachusetts. In 2019, her husband Phil joined the company full-time, and Twist in Burlington opened its doors. In the coming year, the couple hopes to begin an e-commerce business that will open Twist products to people all over the country.
As a scratch chef, Kathryn is deeply mindful of food allergens and thoughtfully selects every ingredient. At Twist, a guiding mantra is: “Our ingredients may be limited, but expectations are not.” This philosophy reflects a core belief—those with food allergies should never have to compromise on flavor or experience. And the best part? Even those without dietary restrictions find themselves craving every bite.
Awards & Accomplishments
Few dining establishments can claim that their menu items have traveled the globe. Loyal customers who crave great taste while wanting the safety of gluten-free and other allergen-free products have ordered Twist products from all over the country. Bakery items have also traveled to students who study abroad for a semester in Europe and as far as Afghanistan.
It’s not just Twist Bakery’s impressive reach that makes this business unique; the local and national awards make this business stand out. Twist Bakery has received national recognition for its gluten-free baking, including being ranked in the top 10 by USA Today’s 10Best in 2023 and 2024 and was named the top gluten-free bakery in 2018. The bakery was also highlighted in the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce and The Boston Globe for its gluten-free offerings.
Burlington Plays a Role
Kathryn believes that Burlington was not only an excellent choice for the expansion of Twist due to its proximity to the bustling mall and technology corridor that brings in lots of business, but also because Burlington has been a great business partner. She credits the town and the community with elevating her business and providing assistance through the Chamber of Commerce in getting the doors open efficiently. She loves the Burlington community and all they have done to accommodate her growing business.
Want to taste the difference Twist offers? Visit Twist in Burlington or Millis and check out their menu online. Kathryn and the Twist team welcome you.