Bob’s Well Bread Bakery, the iconic bakery and restaurant that is a must-go destination in the Santa Ynez Valley, invites the public to a special reception with author Irena Smith on Friday, August 7, 2026 at the Ballard location. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the author, hear her discuss her new book, TROIKA: Three Generations, Three Days, and a Very American Road Trip, and participate in a Q&A session moderated by journalist Sandee Brawarsky, followed by a book signing.
“A series of serendipitous connections led to this special gathering,” states Bob Oswaks. “In her evocative California travel memoir Troika, author Irena Smith recounts a journey with her mother and daughter—including a memorable stop at our very own Bob’s Well Bread Bakery. When award-winning New York writer Sandee Brawarsky read an advance copy, she immediately recognized the beloved bakery founded by her high school friend. One introduction later, and a delightful literary connection was born.”
The Troika event is complimentary and begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026. Reservations are not required.
Go to www.bobswellbread.com or email info@bobswellbread.com with questions.
About Troika:
TROIKA: Three Generations, Three Days, and a Very American Road Trip (She Writes Press, April 2026), is a distinctly Californian travelogue that winds its way from Palo Alto through Buellton, Solvang, Ballard, and Paso Robles. Using kaleidoscopic, fractal storytelling, Smith chronicles a three-day road trip with her mother and daughter that connects past and present and detours into pop culture, Greek mythology, Russian proverbs, internet memes, and a comprehensive examination of the second season of The White Lotus. The result is an ode to migration—both the stirring immigration story of Smith’s own Soviet Jewish family to the U.S. and Smith’s modern-day Odyssey as she shuttles her family through a literal storm, determined to get along. Throughout their journey, the women veer off course in pursuit of great pastries, almond-milk cappuccinos, and avocado toast—making a memorable stop at Bob’s Well Bread.
