The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Mayor of "Loaferville"

ehanner's picture
ehanner

Mayor of "Loaferville"

If I were the Mayor of Loaferville, which I'm not, I would suggest something along the lines of the following as a Preamble for our community. We don't really need a Mayor except as a figure head and to set an example as the type of individual we all want to be.

We the people of the Fresh Loaf, in order to create a more perfect bread, promote domestic tranquility and secure the blessings of prosperity declare ourselves to be an open community, willing to share ideas and knowledge. There is nothing more noble than to teach your fellow man the craft of creating bread. This is our goal for all time.

Floyd is our President, like it or not. He is to be commended for having this concept and the skill and strength to put it into being. There are many other baking recipe and advice sites on the web but none with the depth of knowledge and friendly atmosphere of The Fresh Loaf. There are many who have given countless hours helping those among us who asked for help. They shared recipes, techniques and sources freely, and I/we thank them.

We have now in our number, a unique individual who in the process of setting up a commercial bakery has chosen to share his techniques and recipes, not just with our group but the public at large. A talented craftsman, he apparently believes that teaching a person to fish will encourage them to eat more fish. Instead of hiding behind the secrets of his training he is helping us all to become better bakers. I am humbled by the selfless nature of this individual.

In light of the above mentioned acts of humanity and being an all around good guy, I hereby nominate Mike Sinclair as the "Mayor of Fresh Loaferville". Any seconds??

Eric

mcs's picture
mcs

Hey Eric,

Thanks for the kudos and nomination. If I ever run for political office, I'll have to hire you for my speechwriter, campaign manager, and resume writer. I remember reading the quote by Charles V.W. Brooks, "We need more cooks, not more cookbooks." and thinking that was a pretty cool philosophy. Bakers put a lot of time and thought into their hobby/profession, and I'm glad some bakers like you are enjoying the videos. Maybe someday we'll get some visits to our bakery from traveling 'fresh loafians'. It'd be neat to share techniques and recipes with you people in person.

-Mark

http://thebackhomebakery.com

ehanner's picture
ehanner

Hey Mark, Well, I do appreciate your contribution here. You jumped in with both feet and raised the bar for instructional videos. I think a lot of folks, myself included get helpful guidance from seeing the subtle changes in the dough as it gets kneaded or stretched.

I hope you commercial project works out for you and your wife. I have looked around for a small shop that could be used for a restaurant or bakery. You really have to want to do it. You have the skills and Kalispell is a great town as I recall.

I think if you get established in MT, people will stop in to say hey and meet the person. After all don't all roads lead to Kalispell?

Eric

mcs's picture
mcs

Don't you love when the bread books say, "dough should be moderately loose, but with some strength". Imagine a noob reading that. Hopefully, the videos will help some people at least get an idea of a new recipe or new technique that they find interesting. I'm not crazy about ciabatta, but I like seeing how people work with it, and all of the different forms it takes.

I certainly agree with your presidential choice; Floyd has set up a very comfy place here for lots of people of a lot of different backgrounds.

Maybe it's because I was raised back east, but I always thought that all roads lead to Worcester, Mass.

Anyway, you know what they say though, when in Kalispell, do as the Kalispellians.

-Mark

http://thebackhomebakery.com