Good afternoon everyone,
Ten years ago, Kate happened to be on work experience at Rosendal's Trädgard, the idyllic wood-fired bakery in Stockholm, whilst they were hosting a Brödsalong. There is no direct translation for the word but the convivial concept was that bakers from around the city gathered together at the bakery, to share knowledge and hold a market of their speciality breads. To a fledgling baker obsessed with the Swedish baking scene this was quite something. So much so you may even have noticed the poster for the event up on the cupboard at the Covered Market.
At Hamblin we have often wondered about a similar event in our own fair city, and as we have so many talented cake makers in our orbit, inspired by Rosendal's, we will be hosting a Summer Cake Salon. On Sunday 27th July at the Covered Market, we are holding a cake sale featuring bakes from Julia of Pet Gât, Auriol of Lost Tallulah, Caitlin of Cake on my Face and Karishma of Pipii. Our head of pastry Valentina will be representing Hamblin with some never seen before creations. Think trestle tables laden with all manner of confections of summer berries, stone fruit, lightly whipped cream, buttercream, jam...All the cake makers will be in attendance, available for advice on flat genoese or split creme patissiere. The crux is that all the bakers will be using the same stoneground flour provided by Hamblin, from wheat grown in Great Missenden. We are also developing a special drinks offering to go alongside. Iced Pump Street chocolate with whipped cream and cocoa husk syrup, anyone? Stay tuned next week for the full menu and more details.
This week we were delighted to barter Oxford-grown apricots with a customer who has a remarkably prolific tree. Even Valentina, our Italian head of pastry who is VERY particular when it comes to stone fruit, agrees they are sensational. They will be lightly poached and adorn the ricotta streusel buns. We are truly making the most of the season as the counter continues to be a fruit festival this week. There will be plum and hazelnut galette, strawberry custard cake, a choice of two ice cream sandwiches, raspberry ripple or blackcurrant ripple, both with a brown sugar biscuit base, and finally to welcome back Anita from parental leave, a summer berry karpatka, a Polish cake made with two layers of choux pastry.
Finally, this week Hugo drank a can or two of Burning Sky's Luppoleto Pilsner, dry hopped, citrusy, with a very crisp, clean finish. Burning Sky are a true farmhouse brewery located on the Sussex downs. We are expecting a delivery this coming week, so expect to see more of their beers on the shelves, along with our other current fave, Simple Things Fermentations from Glasgow.
That's all for this week, thank you for reading and have a lovely Sunday,
Kate and Hugo