The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

A quick catch up

Mebake's picture
Mebake

A quick catch up

Hi, dear TFL’ers

 Wow, has it been a while! Just a quick update of what I’ve been up to during the last two months:

1 – I attended January’s Arts and crafts market. It was fun , but I only sold around 80 percent of my bread (18 total loaves).

2 – I bought a gas convection oven (7 racks), but could not work around connecting it in my rented apartment. (too many restrictions by the building and the gas company). Electrical version was out of question as it needs 90% of my apartment's total wattage. So, I’ve returned the large oven, and had it replaced by a 4 rack electric oven (countertop size). The other oven is yet to arrive, so more on that later.

3 – I attended February’s Arts and crafts Market. The business was slow. I sold only 70% of my bread. The low traffic was, in part, due to my table’s location. But, all in all, it was a good, lively market that has been growing and hosting really skilled Artisans. The atmosphere, also, is very friendly and family oriented.

4 – As to my plans to start a Bakery, I have no time yet to commit to an apprenticeship; too much work /family obligations to look after. Will update everyone when it happens. In the meanwhile, I'm still searching for a local partner, and a suitable location for the bakery.

5 – I’ve changed my Instagram alias from Mebake to : goldenwheatbakeryae. So, you may follow my progress on Instagram, and facebook: GoldenWheatbakeryDubai when I'm away from TFL.

My daughter, acting as my apprenticeship :)

This is a 100% sourdough rye with rye flour soaker and toasted seeds (sunflower, and pumpkin). It is adapted from Hamelman's recipe : 80% sourdough rye with rye flour soaker in his book: BREAD, edition 1.

 Wishing everyone happy days, and happy baking.

Khalid

 

Comments

Yerffej's picture
Yerffej

Khalid,

The bread is beautiful, the tablecloth is a work of art, your daughter is as cute as they come....looks like life is great.

Jeff

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks, Jeff! Yeah , but for the back ache ;)

Appreciate your kind words. I'm glad to see the old regulars still here.

Khalid

hreik's picture
hreik

Just lovely.  I wish you all the best of luck.

 

hester

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Many thanks, Hester!

 

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

perfect crust and the crumb is stellar!  Can't get better than that.  Your daughter is way cuter and more accomplished than my apprentice.of 10 years.  Good luck with the electric oven and the bread baking business.  Glad all is well and

Happy baking Khalid

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks, DA :)

Glad you liked the rye bread, DA.  My apprentice doesn't help out much! She was painting through the day, and really enjoyed it. Yours , though is an established german baker ;) 

Best wishes to you too, my friend.

 

 

Janetcook's picture
Janetcook

Hi Khalid,

Sounds as though you have been up to a lot.  Sorry about the frustrations with ovens.  :(

Your rye loaf looks splendid!  Wonderful color and the crumb, I think, is exceptional.

Any what mother could not resist but comment on your adorable daughter.  She is looking very content and happy to be spending time with dad at the Arts and Crafts market.  The memories you are creating have to make up for any loaves you had remaining after your long day.

Thanks for posting .  I so enjoy reading about your baking and seeing the results of your skills.

Take Care,

Janet

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks,

I'm going for a similar oven to your Cadco's. It is a Giorik magnifico countertop model. I'll try to post about it soon.

The 3 breads are now my regulars ,although i do occasionally come up with a recipe from my own just to keep things interesting. 

I thank you so much for the lovely words, Janet!

Best wishes,

breadsong's picture
breadsong

Hi Khalid,
Your bread display is really beautiful and how sweet your adorable daughter is there with you at the market!
It makes me happy to see your wonderful breads and I wish you well getting your oven installed at home and developing plans for your bakery. You have mastered the craft, and I hope the other pieces fall right into place.
Best wishes to you!
:^) breadsong

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks for the kind words, Breadsong. Your Rye cookie looks so elegant!

There are plenty of bread types I have yet to learn how to make. Braiding bread, for instance.. far from being a master, yet. But thanks anyway, dear.

Best wishes to you.

 

 

breadsong's picture
breadsong

just caught your blistered country SD on FB...*beautiful*!
thanks so much re: the rye brownie, it was delicious but I all I really want now is a slice of any of your breads!
:^) breadsong

 

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks, Breadsong :)

I really appreciate your kind comments.

Khalid

yozzause's picture
yozzause

Hi Khalid  good to see you reporting in, great looking breads you had there for sale, have you had any luck with baking on commission for food outlets, worth giving away some samples for some regular sales that might come your way.

My News is i finish paid employment 30th June 2015 with a voluntary severance.  

kind regards Derek

Mebake's picture
Mebake

No commission baking for me , yet. However, when the new oven comes in, I'll do just that; great idea!

almost Retired finally, eh?! i trust more baking is in order ;,or Perhaps a trip to Dubai? :)

As always, thanks for the encouraging words , Derek!

 

 

 

Our Crumb's picture
Our Crumb

Great to hear from you Khalid.  It's Old Home Week around here, with a flyby from txfarmer too.

Sorry to hear sales have fallen short recently.  Maybe customers don't go to an "Arts & Crafts Market" expecting or willing to buy bread and can't make the adjustment on the fly.   I'm sure when you establish a regular business with product like that on offer, you'll have a passionately devoted clientele.  What about supplying restaurants or caterers (cf. Phil & Varda)?  That way you don't need a storefront.  But you would miss out on the customer interactions, which I liked a little too much when I worked in a bakery many years ago (burned a lot of ginger cookies while chatting up customers).  Do any of your Market customers ask where they can get your bread "between markets".  Take names!  Do you have a business card?

Best of luck!

Tom

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Yeah, I've seen Txfarmer's  post too.   :) she has been missed.

There are many reasons to the decline in business at the crafts market, and yes, it is due in part to what you said above. I've just managed to creat a following, but is erratic for the time being. Most of the clients ask where my bakery is, and when I tell them that bake from home they nod thoughtfully and leave; this is when I know they lost interest. Others ask if I bake to order, but that is all they do, ask. I'm ok with that, after all ,the market event thing is my gateway to network with other like minded vendors, testing my products, and gaining baking experience. 

I'm impatiently waiting for the arrival of the countertop oven, and when it does, my baking capacity will be increased, and I'll finally be able to receive orders from clients or bake for restaurants/ health food stores. 

Thanks for dropping by Tom. and thanks for the advice.

 

 

 

 

a_warming_trend's picture
a_warming_trend

I really need to try 100% rye. Beautiful scoring, too.

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thank you, warming trend. Do try out whole rye bread, i'm sure you'll love it!

All the best,

varda's picture
varda

Khalid,  Your breads look wonderful and your daughter makes a lovely apprentice!  Great to hear about your progress.  -Varda

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thank you, Varda! hoping your mini bread business goes along as you wish.

All the best,

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

Sweet helper you've raised there!  

The Rye is picture perfect!  Wow!   All the loaves look great and well displayed.  

Being "out of sight" gives me an idea...  What if you had a simple toaster plugged in nearby and over the time you're selling bread you are toasting half a slice at a time of rye, scenting the air around you to draw attention. 

Mebake's picture
Mebake

It is a great privilege to receive compliment from the Rye queen! Thank you, Mini.

That is just the idea I need, spot on. I'll bring along my toaster next time.

Thanks, again

 

Isand66's picture
Isand66

Great to see your post Khalid.  Beautifully crafted bread as always.  I'm sure if you keep at it all will fall into place and you will eventually get to where you want to be.

Look forward to your continuing updates.

Regards,
ian

Mebake's picture
Mebake

As always, thanks for the encouragement, Ian. 

I will update everyone soon.

Khalid