Gideon’s Bakehouse started as a cult fave inside East End Market 10 years ago, then grew into an international phenomenon when owner Steve Lewis began hawking his half-pound cookie behemoths inside Disney Springs five years ago to the day. Lewis is now capitalizing on Gideon’s popularity with a concept called Six Ravens, a shop specializing in grab-and-go hand pies he’s calling “coffyns” — fluffy yeast rolls encasing a variety of savory fillings. Even better is that he’ll work with some local culinarians, like Eliot Hillis and Seth Parker of Red Panda Noodle and Bruno Zacchini of Pizza Bruno, on the hand pie offerings.
“Six Ravens is the result of collaborating with the family we’ve created at Gideon’s, and our friendships within the community, ” Lewis says. “We look forward to being a gateway to local flavors on the international stage by spotlighting our Orlando superstars.”
Lewis says he spent years tinkering and experimenting with various coffyn fillings in his downtime with friends and peers from Orlando’s food scene, so spreading the wealth and affording local outfits with some powerhouse exposure, was always the plan.
“I got my start at Disney Springs as a secret menu item at the Polite Pig,” he says. “It’s important to pay it forward and bring more local flavors to the international crowds we meet every day.”
Six Ravens will open in the building previously occupied by The Art of Shaving just a few doors down from Gideon’s Bakehouse. Lewis says the space might be small, but promises to “pack your world with flavors and the escapism that comes with the world of Gideon’s.”
Gideon’s Bakehouse art director Michael Reyes will curate the design and imagery of the space while Studio 407 will oversee the buildout.
As far as the name is concerned, “The Six Ravens” first appeared on Gideon’s bill of fare in November 2023, and the menu card featuring a cloaked figure with a conspiracy of those feathered croakers has since become a collectible item. “I’ve been hinting for years that some of the Gideon’s characters are meant to venture off and create their own adventures.”
From a historical perspective, ravens have long been tied to the lore of the Tower of London. Legend claims that should the six resident ravens ever leave, the kingdom will crumble.
Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw!
Accompanying those coffyns will be smashed potato fritters with dips ranging from sweet heat to a storied honey mustard that Lewis has been serving to his friends for decades. Six Ravens will also collaborate with Sideward Brewing and the The Ravenous Pig Brewing Co. on beer offerings. And, yes, there will be sweet treats.
Lewis hasn’t finalized the menu as yet, but he’ll reveal the flavors and collaborations bit by bit as the opening date nears, which should be sometime in Q3. That said, Hillis teased that his coffyn contribution may include chicken curry.
Will we see four-and-20 blackbirds baked into one of those pies? Follow @six.ravens to find out.
