Coffee with Peter Reinhart
Peter Reinhart is in Portland this weekend. I was able to get together with him for coffee this morning at little t american baker in SE Portland.
Tim Healea, the head baker, was kind enough to show us around the bake room.
It is a small space, but they have an awesome 5 rack oven and bake many types of bread every day. While we were there they were making naan and pulling... plank bread out of the oven (I think that is what they called it... It was something like a focaccia, sprinkled with thyme, rosemary, and sea salt and full of olive oil). We tried a rustic ciabatta-like roll with carrot and polenta in it while we were there that was wonderful and one of their pastries, which was delicious too.
I, however, was a space cadet and left my good camera at home (well, I had the camera but I forgot the battery), so these phone pictures were the best I could get. I will, however, try to come by Tastebud tomorrow around 11:30-12 to see Peter and any TFLers who show up there, and this time I'll bring a real camera.
Comments
I heard you were going to get together with Peter. I bet you had an interesting talk!
--Pamela
Yeah, it was nice to catch up with him. I'm looking forward to his new book.
It won't disappoint! --Pamela
Bet you had a great time....Did you remember to bring your books and get them autographed? : )
Sylvia
Heh... I did not. Maybe tomorrow. ;)
So cool... and I'd love to see that carrot polenta roll...
Marni
Hi, Floyd.
I would love to ba able to visit bakeries with Peter Reinhart, just to listen in on the shop talk.
The metaphor "to be a fly on the wall" came to mind, but it seemed too unhygienic, given the venue.
David
Yes, it was interesting, though I'll admit I felt a bit out of my league. My baking is T-ball; these guys are the pros.
All the more reason to chat and bring your books to have him sign them...Im sure he'd be very honored! It's everyday bakers that help bring in his bread and butter : ) Have fun tomorrow and don't be shy!
Sylvia
You lucky guy :-)
Tim used to be head baker at your favorite---Pearl Bakery. He's a Coupe du Monde silver medalist, and a fabulous teacher. I had the incredible good fortune to be able to take his lab class in laminated doughs a few years ago. And I owe him a debt of gratitude for editing and publishing my articles while he was editor of Bread Lines. What is little t's like? From photos I've seen, it looks sleek and modern.
And Peter. One of the most gracious and generous people you'll ever meet. But everyone knows that. He is the one who spread word about the "dastardly Leuconostoc" and validated "the pineapple juice solution." Before him, I was just a blasphemer ;-)
little t is very modern. I found a good photo of it on Flicker (non-Creative Commons, so I'm linking to it rather than using it here). It is on the ground floor of a fancy new condo in the neighborhood we used to live in and which has recently become quite hot.
Yes, I knew Tim was involved in the Coupe de Monde and previously was at the Pearl. I believe he or Peter said that Tim will be coaching the next team. Tim also said he is going to be teaching some classes at... the Western Culinary Institute, I believe.
And, yes, I admire Peter a great deal (previous gushing about Peter here). He is a tremendous baker and, as you said, as kind-hearted and gracious as people get.