Spring? Pffft far from it today! The caf is jam-packed downstairs, I m feeling great sorrow for Sam who s standing at Retail and has to endure the biting blasts of wind every time someone walks through the Caf door.

Anyway, so I know I mentioned we were going to cover iodised salt this week, but frankly I m not really in the mood for that, I d rather talk about fun times and festivities (re: Sydney International Food Festival month!)

So here in the Bakery, the month of October is well under way, and to usher in this month of all things foodie and fabulous, we ve decided to renovate. Out with the old, in with the new!

The new window shelf display

October Glass’ themed samples display [courtesy of Eden’s Floral Design]

CRAVE – as spelt out on our French Mountain Breads

And as with all school holidays, we brought in the kids to bake us some goodies. Who doesn t love the smell of freshly baked cookies on a freakishly cold Spring Day?

Our SIFF Baking Artisan Bread workshops have sold out (but don t worry, we re in the midst of adding new classes onto the program), and last night was also the launch of our first-ever Baking with Grains and Seeds class. I ll be doing the class next week, so I promise pictures to be up soon

Halloween is looming over the Bakery as well; I ve got a list of decorations to source for Yudha and the training room (tips and suggestions would be much appreciated, or else it s Hot Dollar here I come!), and on the same day we ve got the Aids Trust Food & Wine Fair, where Brasserie Bread will be hosting a sausage sizzle stall with our new French Mountain Bread (I swear, that loaf is everywhere these days). And in the spirit of SIFF, I ll be heading down to Gelatomassi tonight for their first ever #gelatotub. Gelato in this weather? All in the spirit of good food I say 🙂

Another thing you should all be looking out for this October is the Week of Tastes program, organised by the amazing Helen Campbell, a one woman power show.

The Week of Tastes is a week-long program held from 15 25 October 2009 and is aimed at introducing children to the world of flavours, using all 5 senses (Taste, touch, smell, sight and hear). I had the opportunity to meet and work with Helen, who s been helping us out in such a big way with school excursions to the Bakery. In addition to that, Michael has been working with Helen from Day One of the WoT program, from visiting schools to talk about sourdough, to offering our Bakery as a WoT excursion site. In addition to establishing a WoT School Program and the Crown Street School Lunch, Helen’s also managed to land some pretty amazing restaurants around Sydney, who will be offering a special Week of Tastes menu for children, most of which are devised by the chefs kids themselves. To check out which restaurants are offering Week of Tastes menus, click here

Anyway, I think it s time for another hot chocolate, and most definitely, a haloumi sandwich for lunch.

Is it possible to love a sandwich this much? Happy Sydney International Food Festival month! (Now that s a mouthful)

Mei 🙂

PS: on another happy note, check out what we received in the mail yesterday!

Handwritten thank you notes from the kids over at Redlands Junior School who did an excursion to the Bakery last week. Completely. Made. My. Afternoon 🙂