How Kern Locals Followed Family Roots to Finland and Built Community Through American Baking
Published: Dec 31, 2025
Photo taken on Thomas’s Grandmother’s farm in Wasco, California, 2021
Thomas Grant, a dual American and Finnish citizen, born in Bakersfield and raised in Wasco, traveled to Finland with his Colombian-born wife, Natalia Grant, in the summer of 2025. The trip was planned as a family visit, with the understanding that staying longer was a real possibility. Thomas’s mother lives in Finland, and the visit gave them time to consider what life there might look like.
Thomas and Natalia with Thomas’s Mother, Merja Grant
With the opportunity to live in a home that carries the family’s legacy across generations and Thomas’s mother nearby, it didn’t take much for them to take the leap of faith and stay. They settled into a farm home deeply rooted in their family history, turning what began as a visit into everyday life.
From Wasco Fields to Finnish Forests
Life in their corner of Finland looks nothing like Wasco. Forests are always close. The summer brings light 24 hours a day, where midsummer gatherings can go all night, and winters are dark with hardly any sun, making all long for snow to brighten things up. The climate is “drastically different,” they say. For the Grants, ice swimming and sauna are part of the rhythm of life, along with healthy eating, foraging for wild berries, and getting a glimpse every now and again of the aurora borealis, northern lights. They’re closer to the ocean now, and environmental protections shape everyday routines, from recycling to composting.
Culture Shock, Ice, and Learning to Live Differently
Food is what pulls hardest at their Kern County roots. When asked what they miss most, the answer comes easily. “Mexican food, In-N-Out, Farmer Boys,” Thomas says.
Even ice became part of the learning curve. “Not so common to have soda refills, the cups are smaller, and they don’t really put much ice in drinks. So one of our first purchases was ice trays for the freezer,” Natalia says.
Some cultural differences still catch them by surprise. Finding a black pen, for instance, isn’t easy. “Pretty much every pen for sale is blue,” says Natalia. Navigating systems can also be an adjustment. “A lot of the internet ID systems rely on having a Finnish bank account,” Thomas says.
Even grocery shopping has its challenges. “Hard to find beans, in particular, refried beans,” Natalia says.
Still, the slower pace and closeness to nature offer a sense of balance. Seasons shape daily life, and sustainability isn’t a trend but a habit.
Why Soft American Cookies Stopped People in Their Tracks
California Bake Barn began with a simple need. “Thomas said that if he was going to live in Finland, he needed to be able to make a good chocolate chip cookie,” Natalia says. “When we started baking them, we invited family and friends to try them, and they really enjoyed it.” The difference was immediate. “Soft cookies, like chocolate chip cookies, aren’t very common in Finland,” Thomas says.
That texture became the signature.
Getting it right comes down to attention and timing. “It probably has to do with the butter and how long it’s cooked. I watch the cookies bake to make sure they don’t overcook. I’m very observant of the bake time,” Thomas says.
Market Days, Earning Trust One Cookie at a Time
The Grants’ first market days were short but telling. They had a few pre-orders for cookie bundles and just thirty minutes to sell. Samples did the talking. “Those that tried them were very receptive,” Thomas says.
One moment captured the response perfectly, also highlighting the sarcastic Finnish sense of humor that many have. “One lady who bought our last 2 cookies one evening, when tasting the cookie sample, gave a great review. First, she said, ‘Damn you,’ and then she said that we were evil, and then she was sad that we only had 2 cookies left,” Natalia says.
Behind the scenes, the work is demanding. “Baking takes a lot of time. Making sure we’re stocked up on all the ingredients we need,” Thomas says. There’s also the challenge of stepping into a close-knit market as newcomers. “Opening the market in an area where everyone tends to know each other, and we’re outsiders,” Natalia says.
The reward is immediate and personal. “Seeing how much people enjoy our cookies is rewarding,” Thomas says. “California Bake Barn has reconnected me with my childhood and it’s a joy to see the children’s reactions when they try our cookies for the first time at the market.”
What Finland Teaches About Community and Entrepreneurship
Running a small bakery business in Finland reshaped how the Grants think about entrepreneurship. “The fact that we’re going to a market where producers sell to the consumer without any intermediaries says a lot about how the community supports each other here,” Natalia says.
“You don’t need to invest a vast amount of money to get started. People trust each other,” Thomas says.
The experience has also changed life at home. “Thomas never really cooked anything before, and now he’s started trying out different recipes,” Natalia says.
What’s Next for California Bake Barn
Looking ahead, the focus stays intentional. “Cookie experiences! We want to create a barn experience where people can come to enjoy freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, right out of the oven, Thomas’s California style, paired with coffee from my family’s farm in Colombia,” Natalia says.
For Kern County locals traveling abroad, the Grants live in the countryside right outside of Pori area on the southwest coast of Finland. From Kern County roots to Finnish farmland, their story continues, one carefully watched chocolate chip cookie at a time.
And when they’re ready to return to Kern, our refried beans will be waiting.
Instagram: californiabakebarn
