How One Kid Ignited An Idea For Gluten Free Donuts

Manny Pangan was inspired to create a new paradise for donut lovers. Months later a kid showed up wanting a gluten-free version. That changed everything.

It’s 7:00 a.m. and Manny Pangan has arrived at Seven Sea’s Roasters, a coffeehouse located in San Diego’s eclectic South Park neighborhood with a box of delectables in hand. He’s wearing his uniform for the day, a sweatshirt featuring his company logo and shorts.

Anyone who knows Pangan will tell you he works“Baker’s Hours,” awakening in the wee hours of the morning to engage his craft followed by early morning arrivals at Seven Sea’s.

Pangan will tell you that it was a synchronistic encounter with a young girl at a farmers market that radically altered his perspective about donuts. The story begins with the classic refrain of a “kid wanting a donut but the parents saying no.”

“Our gluten-free idea actually started around three months ago when we were at a farmers market sampling and selling our goods. It was there where this little girl came up to our booth and she was like ‘Oh, I want some donuts so bad.’ My business partner heard her and responded: “We have some donuts for you.”

Next came a pivotal learning moment when the girl’s mom makes her way over and says “oh, my daughter can only have gluten-free…