I extended an invitation to Bethesdabakin' last week to members of the Bread Bakers Guild of America via their forum (which is subscription membership only via Yahoo) There are a number of BBGA members already involved in planning Bethesdabakin', including myself, Jeremy, Jack Lang and I think Dan and Teck Poh - about five or six in total, but correct me if I am wrong.
For those that don't know the organisation, you don't have be American or live there (although all their activities take place in the US).
Members include some of the top bakers in the English speaking world, plus literally thousands of local artisan and home bakers. It is a remarkable community and the forum, which is archived and searchable, is probably the most extensive collection of baking advice and problem solving in the world.
At least one more BBGA baker has emailed me to say they hope to come to Wales in August and I received a nice message from Gina Piccolino, the executive director at the BBGA wishing us "great success." Gina also asks for a link from here to the BBGA, which I have done - you will find it under baking links.
James
Welcome to Bethesdabakin'
THIS August a gathering of bakers is taking place in the small town of Bethesda in North Wales.
Some are enthusiastic amateurs, others bake for a living. A few are somewhere between. Most have never met each other, but now consider themselves firm friends. All are passionate about baking real bread; the miracle of flour, yeast, salt and water.
All of this is largely due to the efforts of one person. Mick, the baker of Bethesda, who first conceived Bethesdabakin' earlier this year, and whose skills and indefagitable energy are an example to us all.
Mick first proposed this festival of bread on the forum of Dan Lepard's site, one of the great baking resources on the web. You can read his chronicles there, through the link on this page.
At present it looks as though at least two dozen bakers from all over Britain and the rest of the world will be descending on Bethesda for the bank holiday weekend. If you have stumbled on this site by chance, please feel free to join us. Sign up via membership of Dan Lepard's forum, where a charming lady called Teck Poh is taking names.
There is no admission charge, beyond your expenses, but everyone should expect to rise to the occasion, even if it is just to contribute a favourite recipe or help with the washing up.
We look forward to seeing everyone in August. Until then, peace and loaf -or should that be yeast and love - to you all!
April 25, 2007
