Good afternoon everybody, Though still not quite December, we have a few bits of festive housekeeping which we felt may be of interest and may need time to percolate. Here goes... Firstly, on Sunday 14th December we will be hosting our second cake-off event at the Covered Market, a Yule Salon. As in the summer we have invited local guest bakers to join us, this time to create festive bakes. We welcome back Pet Gât, Cake On My Face and Lost Tallulah and greet Jack and Freddie of McQueens for the first time. Unlike the summer, we will be prepared for any queueing situation that may occur with an outdoor payment station. And we will also be making much more...
Good afternoon everybody, Now usually we strongly adhere to the 'no festive products outside of December' rule, however, we also like to have said festive products on the menu for a solid four week run. The way the Christmas dates fall this year means that we are having to do some opening hours acrobatics (more of which in the coming weeks), and as three weeks of mince pies just doesn't seem enough, we are throwing our hat in the ring this coming week. This year Valentina has tweaked our shortcrust to make it even more buttery. This is filled with our slow-cooked mince meat, lightened with a little apple butter. The top is kept very simple, just brushed with egg white and sprinkled...
Good afternoon everybody, Wednesday brought the fortnightly flour delivery which comes with the immeasurable bonus of sitting down with David the miller and chatting about his process. There’s a lot to discuss at this time of year, when we are winding down the old supplies of grain we have at the mill and introducing this year’s grain which has been being delivered in dribs and drabs since last month. It needs to be cleaned post harvest and then depending on the quantity a haulier needs to be procured, which can be less than straightforward, especially given that the narrow entrance of the mill necessitates a particular kind of vehicle so as not to get stuck. David’s Doomsday ancestors weren’t thinking...
Good afternoon everybody, Today felt like the first day of winter, with a real bite in the air. Extra pullovers very much the order of the day on the doughnut stall, with Kate and Caitlin frying their socks off. A huge thank you to everyone who braved the queue. It was a fun day and hopefully we'll do it again soon. Watch this space. On the pastry counter this week we're keeping it classic with the whole vanilla bun joining the stalwarts, cinnamon and cardamom. The brown butter coconut cookie makes a welcome return, and the Banbury cakes are enjoying an extended run. The financiers have shed their espresso buttercream and walnuts, and we're adding some perfect tayberries from Roy's...
Good afternoon everybody, First of all, a reminder that Sunday is doughnut day, with kick-off at 10 am at Iffley Road. Kate and co-conspirator, Caitlin, aka Cake On My Face, have settled on the menu for the fry off which runs as follows: Cinnamon sugar ring doughnut Coffee glazed ring doughnut with candied pecans Quince jam and crème diplomat filled doughnut Pump Street milk chocolate brioche Now over to Harriet for news of our most recent event and a cheese preview: This week the bakery played host to a group of young people and their parents trying to answer the big question: Is bread alive?Harriet, our General Manager, spent a wonderful two days exploring some of the Biology and Chemistry...
