The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Classes in the Putnam , Dutchess or Westchester NY area

tracker914's picture
tracker914

Classes in the Putnam , Dutchess or Westchester NY area

Hi, Was wondering if anyone could suggest some bread/baking classes in Putnam , Dutchess  or Westchester NY area. I've been baking bread for a while but would like get some class room style training with pros. I'm looking for more of a boot camp style class given over several days, weeks, weekends, community colleges, etc..

Thanks

Angelo

 

golgi70's picture
golgi70

Hey Angelo, 

I bet the CIA has some classes which is up in Hyde Park.  I'm positive you can take a course at the French Culinary Institute in NYC.  The latter is where I got my training and I'll go ahead and assume it won't be cheap.  Might I suggest going to a nice artisan bakery and asking if you could come in and watch/learn.  As a bakery manager I've had many ask me and I've certainly said I would be glad to show some folks a few things.  99% never show up.  

 

Josh

tracker914's picture
tracker914

I'll give CIA a call and see what they have, I've been trying to see if I can take the course at KAF. The Bakery thing sounds interesting, I actually know a bakery that produces on commercial scale, I'll have to try and drag myself out of bed a couple of nights just see it in action. I think my ultimate goal here is just to do some teaching at some point producing bread in a wood fired oven and selling at farmers markets, enough to augment my daily rat race office job. --for now :)

Thanks

Angelo

JizoGarden's picture
JizoGarden

Hi Angelo...  I would love to know if you find any workshops in the Westchester area.  I'm new to bread making and I'm learning sourdough on my own.  Would love to do a workshop :)

Laura

tracker914's picture
tracker914

Hi Laura,

    I stopped looking a long time ago, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I went to one class at chef central when they were around and tell you the truth it was a waste. I decided to get a couple of really good books and spend a lot of time on this site and then just spent a lot of time on one particular sourdough bread recipe that I adapted over time and learned a great deal by trial and error. your not going to learn that in a class. I've gained enough confidence in the last couple years that I plan to start selling at my local farmers market in the next couple of weeks.

If your in need of a sourdough starter I work in the whiteplains area and would  be happy to share. I also plan on doing some workshops in wood fired bread in my current WFO and then next year am thinking about building a large community wood fired oven in Putnam.

If your interested your more than welcome.

Angelo

JizoGarden's picture
JizoGarden

I agree with you...it took me a few weeks to create my starter and two total failures that had a remarkable resemblance to frisbees. Today I got my first eatable sourdough bread!  It isn't perfect but through trial and error I am learning so much through each stumble and now a glimmer of success :) I hope to continue learning through each effort.

I would love to be included on your future workshop and learning more about your wood fire oven :)

All the best, Laura