Searching for Bread Baking Class - Portland, Seattle or West Coast
I have been baking bread for my family since the 1970s but I am trying to learn how to produce high quality French and European style breads in my home oven. I have most of the books by Reinhart, Clayton, etc. and I try to follow their written instructions but the internal structure and external appearance of my finished breads do not approach the level of quality I see and read about. I would like to have hands-on training. I am also interested in learning more about whole grain bread baking which I know very little about. I am not looking for true professional classes since it is unlikely my wife will let me buy a $25,000 deck oven in the near future, although I do continue to dream about it.
Hopefully there are classes either in Portland or Seattle or at least on the West Coast that would fit. Suggestions greatly appreciated.
Happy Baking!
Maybe Grand Central Bakery in PDX has a class, you could call and ask them for advice.
Wingnut
PS. Don't tell them about the deck oven, they might get nervous bakers are a funny lot.
Greg,
PCC Natural Markets offer classes, including bread basics and keep an eye out for George DePasquale (Essential Baking) - he pairs up with different groups to offer classes occasionally. He's the one I'd go for here in Seattle. I don't see anything listed for him right now, but he seems to do several a year at different locations.
If you want to knock your socks off, go to the Kneading Conference West in September 2013 (http://kneadingconferencewest.com/) - you'll get an amazing amount of informtion, education, and elbow-rubbing with some great bakers.
Gail