07-01-2012 - First Stone Market of the Year!
It's the first Stone Market of the year, it's going well. We are next to the giant paella as featured on Radio Stoke today. Don't miss out!!
01-12-2011 - Two for me, one for you..Mince Pie Production Begins
Every year, around this time, the mince pies come out.
Like everything else they're handmade and baked in our coal-fired ovens.
Like everything else they're absolutely delicious!
31-10-2011 - A Bit of Halloween Fun
Everybody took a pumpkin and a knife; the room fell quiet.
Some time later four beasts emerged from the darkness.
The beasts brushed themselves down and admired the jack'o'lanterns they had made.
Can you guess which one is mine? (G)
29-9-2011 - Super Sam does it Again
Our lad Sam makes craft baking look easy.
This year's wheatsheaf was put together in under an hour!
01-01-2011 - Happy 2011 to all our Wonderful Customers!
May this year bring you even more bread than the last!
22-11-2010 - I passed the New Royal Balti Naan Bread Challenge!
When staff at Audley's renowned New Royal Balti challenged me to bake a naan bread in their tandoori oven, I must admit I thought it would be easy.
My arms have spent so long in our +200° coal oven that I could not imagine this being a problem.
However, on sight of the jet engine these guys keep in the kitchen I now understood why they'd insisted I ate my meal first.
I rolled the dough out to the size of a large crocodile's head quite easily, then placed it on the gauze pad I would use to stick it to the inside of the drum. As my hand was going in my mind was screaming 'NO!' but the temperature meant I'd only get one chance at this.
I managed to stick it to the cooking surface around the sides of the drum-like oven, but as it threatened to peel itself off I was forced to go back in with another quick tap. At this point I was visibly ready to cry, so the professionals stepped in.
The service was great, the meal was excellent and the owner is the chef, which, I am told, has ensured a consitent quality for the past fifteen years.
I've been told to try this place a number of times and now I'm delighted to have found it. If you're gonna try it, make sure to book, even midweek- And DO NOT try the naan bread challenge. Do try the platter to share as a starter, though.
14-11-2010 - City's message is loud and clear: The Premiership is our home now!
The lads really came through last night, winning 2-0 against Liverpool and sending a defiant wake-up call to the premier league's blaggards in black (abridged version).
After a run of demoralising bad decisions taken on the chin, the mighty Potters played their socks off, leapfrogging the Reds and landing in tenth position. Hoorah!
Well done Stoke and well done to the customer who correctly predicted the score in the shop before the match!
16-11-2010 - Staffordshire Firefighters give us the thumbs up!
Responding to a call from nearby, several firemen and a firelady were delighted to discover some very well controlled coal fires with a wonderful bakery attached.
Needless to say, we couldn't let the heroic bunch leave without taking some delicious handmade breads for "toast back at the station."
Keep up the good work, guys!
15-10-2010 - Work to start on Hanley's new East-West Centre in March- Bus station to come first
Approved plans for the renewal and expansion of Hanley town centre include building a new cinema, hotel and department store as well as the creation of "vibrant public spaces" and new homes, affordable or otherwise.
Work on the development is to begin in March, but today the plans were changed to allow the new bus station to be built first.
Admittedly, we'll all be glad to see the back of the old monstrosity that is Hanley Bus Station, but surely the new shops, cinema and hotel are more vitally needed to provide jobs for the unemployed.
Well, as we say here in Stoke, the Council works in mysterious ways!
14-09-2010 - The team behind the team behind our good mood this week!
If you're looking for someone to thank for Stoke's win against Villa this week then look no further than Carl Engleman.
He's the team's Chef and the genius who got the mighty Potters eating our Low GI bread last season. And now he's kicking back and taking all the praise.
Not really- he's far too hard-working to kick back and too much of a gent to be smug about it. Seriously, he's lovely!
The part about the praise is true, though. Carl reckons the whole squad love the bread and, because it's Low GI, it's perfect for athletes.
Feed 'em up, Carl!
03-10-2010 - Hard Work Pays Off as City lay their hat on the number 7 slot!
That's right: Stoke City are currently the seventh best team in the league.
And thanks to the two-week break ahead, they can savour the moment!
Mind you, just one point shy of the top four, our lads might well be planning more surprises.
Last season Liverpool haunted 7th place while we looked up from below mid-table. Now, we're looking down on them in the relegation zone.
The premiership is changing this year and Stoke are a force to be reckoned with. Keep it up, lads!
04-09-2010 - What on Earth is going on here, then?
These colourful creations were prepared by our bakers for an Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding.
Bakehouse family, Samantha and James, wanted something different for their do, which took place at Granvilles, in Stone last month.
Everyone enjoyed the psychedelic sandwiches, despite our concerns that blue bread might not be so appealing.
In fact, the blue and green ones went first!
10-02-2010 - The Hairy Bikers are coming to Stone
Our old mates, Si and Dave, aka the Hairy Bikers, are coming to Stone Food and Drink Festival this October.
We met the Haries last summer when they visited the Bakehouse to film for the Staffordshire episode of their tour of Britain series- and we were delighted to find that they had also included us in the book.
A great pair of lads, they entertained the girls for hours and went away with full bellies.
They might make it look easy on the telly, but they work very hard and seem to enjoy every minute. Five hours' filming was cut to two minutes on the air, so I dread to imagine how long it takes to make a whole episode.
Anyway, it's a few months away yet so we're gonna spend the time developing a loaf shaped like a motorbike.
09-02-2010 - Stoke City on Low G.I. Bread- What a Result!
After hearing of two of our players' intolerance to wheat, we decided to drop some spelt and rye loaves off for the lads.
Not wanting to leave the rest of the squad out, we took along a dozen Low G.I. Multiseeded loaves, and would you believe it? They only went and won 3-0 against Blackburn the next day!
City's Chef, Carl Engleman, was delighted to receive the basketful of goodies and said he was particulary interested in the Low G.I.
Low G.I foods are ideal for athletes as they release energy at a steady rate, smoothing out the peaks and troughs of energy associated with many other foods.
Hopefully Mr Pulis is superstitious and they've saved a loaf or two for a quick bite before tonight's away game against Wigan. Keep up the good work, lads!
05-11-2009 - Nice one, son- Baker Sam sees light for the last time
Eager to meet the customers who help keep him off the streets, our newest baker, Sam Machin, tried his hand at Leek Market this week.
He's young, he's keen and he's always on the phone! Most importantly, though, he bakes a great loaf and he takes pride in his work.
The customers at Leek took to him well, too.
We've gotta keep the lad locked up, though- the young ones get a bit sun-happy after a few weeks of night shifts. :)
Well done, Sam!
