Breadness Buzz - Not Since 1894, A Penguin Story, Fresh Challah Friday...

NOTE: If this is your first Breadness Buzz, or you've been part of our tribe but missed earlier posts, visit the Breadness Buzz Archive here and catch up on some Breaducation written especially for you. It's a great way to be part of this journey I started back in 2016. And now for this week's Buzz...

Not Since 1894...

INDIANA UNIVERSITY QUARTERBACK FERNANDO MENDOZA HOLDING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS TROPHY

It hasn't happened in over 130 years. The Indiana University Hoosiers football season ended with a victory over the University of Miami Hurricanes, resulting in being crowned the College National Champions with an undefeated record of 16-0!

Making this feat even more amazing is that 2 years ago, Indiana was the losingest team in college football history, with 715 program losses entering the 2025 season—more than any other Division I program (top-tier College sports). This record, accumulated over more than a century, made the Hoosiers synonymous with struggle and long-standing futility in the sport.

However, under head coach Curt Cignetti, who came to IU at the end of 2023, Indiana completed one of the most improbable turnarounds in sports history. The program went from being the worst in college football to national champions in just two years, finishing the 2025 season with a perfect 16-0 record—the first undefeated season in college football in 132 years.

The Hoosiers’ historic run culminated in a 27-21 victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, securing their first-ever national title. This achievement erased decades of disappointment and marked the end of Indiana’s status as the losingest program in college football history.

Now, Indiana stands as a symbol of what sustained belief, strategic coaching, and cultural transformation can achieve—even in the most unlikely circumstances.

INDIANA COACH CURT CIGNETTI HOISTING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS TROPHY

As a football footnote, if you look up Curt Cignetti's coaching record, you'll find that for the past several years, every school he's coached football, he's turned losers into winners. This guy really is a game-changer... culture changer... a leader that inspires others to exceed expectations!

Whatever you may be doing in life, this story is a great example that when you have the right purpose and personnel, anything is possible!

A (small) Penguin Story...

Peter and Patti Penguin were enjoying the recent snows in the higher elevations of southern California. They hadn't seen this much snow in many years, and they were taking advantage of it, skiing cross-country from Big Bear to Little Bear!

After all that exercise, they'd built up quite an appetite! Patti suggested they try out the Breadness Lodge Café in Little Bear. Peter agreed, and so that's where they ended up.

On the menu was Cinnamon Raisin Maple Pecan Sourdough Bread. There were other items as well but this seemed to be the item for that moment.

As they prepared to feast on their tasty treat, they discussed whether it would be better to have a slice with Skinless Almond Butter and Bilberry Fruit Spread, or Cultured Cream Cheese and Rosemary Prosseco Clementine Jam?

They decided, "Why not try both?" And it was the right decision!

And thus we come to the end of our (small) Penguin Story.

Fresh Challah Friday...

Friday at sunset begins the Sabbath for people of the Jewish faith. In honor of that weekly occasion, I have made 3 loaves of our challah-inspired sourdough bread.

Traditional challah is made with honey and an egg wash to make the braided loaf shine. Our organic challah loaf is made without the honey or egg wash so you can enjoy pulling chunks of this naturally sweet-tasting sourdough, dipping them in butter or olive oil, and enjoying a tradition that dates back many years.

Friends from Israel who have tasted this bread, and customers who purchased the last batch of challah I made a month ago all agree: this challah is amazing!

There are only 3 of these challah loaves available this week so reserve yours by ordering on line (or call us), then pick your order up on Friday or Saturday...

Here's what we have at the bakery for you this week...

(Availability subject to change - visit breadness.com to see what's currently available)

— Organic Artisan Sourdough Country Loaf
(Boule, Batard, XL Batard, XL Challah, Petite, Bread Bowls, Slider Buns/Rolls)

— Organic Artisan Cinnamon Raisin Maple Pecan Sourdough
(Boule, Petite, Rolls/Buns)

— Organic Artisan Chocolate Sourdough (Boule, Petite)

— Organic Artisan GingerBreadness (Boule - only 2 left!)

— Organic Artisan Sourdough Flatbread Crisps
(Naked, Tuscan Herb, Smoked)

— Organic/non-GMO Blueberry Muffins (Grain-free, Sugar-free)

— Organic/non-GMO Breadness Brûlée Muffins (Gluten-neutral, Sugar-free)

— Organic/non-GMO Choco Chip Chookies (Grain-free, Sugar-free)

— Organic/non-GMO Sourdough Shortbread (Gluten-neutral, Sugar-free)

— Organic Pineapple Sorbet (Gluten-free, No Added Sugar, Vegan)

— Chocolate Chill (Gluten-free, Sugar-free, Keto, Vegan)

And our awesome lineup of Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars, along with our Butters, Garlic Bread Spreadness, Cheese, Tapenades, Nut Butters, Fruit Spreads/Jams and Sourdough Pasta and Tomato Products from Italy!

Random Acts of Breadness is located at 2214 West Magnolia Blvd in Burbank, 2-1/2 blocks east of Buena Vista on the south side of the street.

We're open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12 to 6pm, and Sunday 11am to 4pm.

Order at breadness.com/#shop, or via DoorDash. We also ship locally and nationwide.

From our hands to yours...

Randall Michael Tobin
Artisan Baker/Chef
Breadness.com

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2214 West Magnolia Blvd.
Unit A
Burbank, CA 91506
USA

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