We’ve had a busy few weeks at Levain!
First our sticky buns on Oprah! Thank you Mark and Gail for your appreciation of, and your votes for our cinnamon raisin sticky buns.
Last week our Italian Bread class, last night our Levain Bakery Breakfast class.
Today a celebration of Alexis M’s birthday!
And, last but not least, we are all loving this sunny taste of Spring today! The perfect weather to enjoy coffee and breakfast on the bench, in the sun before it gets too hot. Enjoy the day!
Ben hasn’t worked at the bakery for long, but you’d never know it. A quick learner, Ben does an amazing job at the retail counter (his great smile welcomes all of our customers) and is extremely helpful when it comes to prep work, production and any thing else I may need help with on any given day. He is a hard worker and a pleasure to have as part of our staff. We also love it when he brings in his banjo and plays us a tune!
Name: Ben
What’s your sign? Gemini
Where did you grow up? Ojai, CA
How long have you lived in New York City? 5 months
How long have you been working at Levain Bakery? 4 ½ months
What’s your favorite color? Green
What’s your favorite thing at the bakery? Lemon Cake
Cat or Dog? Dog
If you could be a cookie package, where would you want to be shipped?
Sunny California
What smells the best when it’s in the oven? Scones
Chocolate Chip Walnut or Chocolate Chocolate Chip? CCW
What’s your favorite song played at the bakery? When they play MY iPod
What’s your least favorite song played at the bakery? Close the Door
If you could be one thing in the bakery, what would you be and why?
Connie’s hands…they know all!
Make a statement that best defines you: I prefer questions…….
Emily is the one member of our staff right now that has been at the bakery the longest. Because of this, she really can do most things here and is extremely helpful. Her main focus is handling the daily responsibility of the Cookies by Mail. Along with that she works retail and helps me in production- her days can be quite diverse. She adds much laughter to everyday with her great smile and obsession with the Wheel of Fortune.
Name: Emily
What’s your sign? Scorpio
Where did you grow up? Jessup, Pennsylvania
How long have you lived in New York City? 4 ½ years
How long have you been working at Levain Bakery? 2 ½ years
What’s your favorite color? It changes frequently, but right now it’s green
What’s your favorite thing at the bakery? Olive & Goat Cheese Pizza
Cat or Dog? Dog
If you could be a cookie package, where would you want to be shipped? Paris
What smells the best when it’s in the oven? Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Chocolate Chip Walnut or Chocolate Chocolate Chip? CCW
What’s your favorite song played at the bakery? Dionne Warwick: I Say a Little Prayer
What’s your least favorite song played at the bakery? Earth Wind and Fire : Sing a Song
If you could be one thing in the bakery, what would you be and why? Postcard – so I could travel around the world.
Make a statement that best defines you: For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of stars makes me dream (Van Gogh)
This has been a bit of a sad week for Levain Bakery. On Tuesday, March 17th 2009, appropriately Saint Patrick’s Day, we lost one of our biggest advocates, a mother, a dear friend and an amazing woman.
Esther McDonald is well known by many of our long time customers. Es spent many hours at the bakery working with everyone and chatting with everyone. Without Es’s support and belief in us the bakery would never have come to be. When other people looked at Connie and Pam and thought they were out of their minds to be opening “a bakery!” Es never hesitated to help in anyway possible.
We have great memories at the bakery of Saint Patrick’s day with Es dancing around to Irish folk music, Thanksgiving evening with a glass of “Chablis” and some turkey after a busy day, packing up gift packages during the holidays and the other many other days she spent with us.
We are still laughing about Es asking “do we make cappuccinos?” her way of getting someone else to make them for her! As well as her “do we have more chips?” meaning she had run out of cookies!
Essie, we love and adore you, thank you so much for everything and we know that you are in heaven watching over us.
Alexis helps me with all the responsibilities that keep the bakery looking its best. She is also a great asset as part of the retail staff. She’s extremely organized and meticulous and is ALWAYS ready to lend a helping hand. At first she appears a little timid, but once you get to know her she opens up into this bright, fun loving person (as long as there is a little Dionne Warwick playing J)
Name: Alexis
What’s your sign? Gemini
Where did you grow up? Easton, PA
How long have you lived in New York City? June ‘07
How long have you been working at Levain Bakery? Since September ‘08
What’s your favorite color? It depends, I like them all.
What’s your favorite thing at the bakery? Artichoke Pizza
Cat or Dog? Dog
If you could be a cookie package, where would you want to be shipped? Hawaii
What smells the best when it’s in the oven? Pumpkin Spice Bread
Chocolate Chip Walnut or Chocolate Chocolate Chip? CCW
What’s your favorite song played at the bakery? Anything by Dionne Warwick
What’s your least favorite song played at the bakery? Private Dancer by Tina Turner
If you could be one thing in the bakery, what would you be and why? A shot of espresso so I can be “rich”
Make a statement that best defines you: There is no one statement that defines me.
In the next few weeks Connie and Pam will be offering several class dates with two different curriculums. Our hope is that you will leave with the confidence to take what you learned and make it at home.
The first curriculum will be Italian Breads which will include making a basic focaccia, ciabatta and pizza.
The second curriculum will be Breakfast where you will learn make our oatmeal raisin scones, bomboloncini and plain brioche.
Dates
Tuesday March 24, 7:30 -9:30pm – Breakfast
Wednesday March 25, 7:30-9:30pm – Italian Breads
Monday March 30, 7:30-9:30pm – Breakfast
Tuesday March 31, 7:30pm -9:30pm – Italian Breads
FAQ
Class size will be limited to four people
Cost per person $250
To sign up go to:
http://store.itsallaboutthecookie.com/baking-for-breakfast-march-24-2009.aspx
http://store.itsallaboutthecookie.com/baking-italian-breads-march-25-2009.aspx
http://store.itsallaboutthecookie.com/baking-for-breakfast-march-30-2009-1.aspx
http://store.itsallaboutthecookie.com/baking-italian-breads-march-31-2009.aspx
Classes may be filmed
If you have any questions please contact Emily at classes@levainbakery.com
Alexis is part of our team of bakers and assists me with the everyday happenings at the bakery. She works really hard and always keeps us on our toes with her funny, zany stories and her love for comfort food like triscuits and cheddar cheese. When Alexis is working, we always know that our day will be full of laughter. PS-. Every song that comes on at the bakery is her “FAVORITE SONG”.
Name: Alexis
What’s your sign? Aries
Where did you grow up? Colorado
How long have you lived in New York City? 4 Years
How long have you been working at Levain Bakery? August 2008
What’s your favorite color? Orange
What’s your favorite thing at the bakery? Plain Brioche
Cat or Dog? Dog
If you could be a cookie package, where would you want to be shipped? Home
What smells the best when it’s in the oven? Baguettes
Chocolate Chip Walnut or Chocolate Chocolate Chip? Chocolate Chocolate
What’s your favorite song played at the bakery? Everlasting Love
What’s your least favorite song played at the bakery? TKO
If you could be one thing in the bakery, what would you be and why? Deck Oven, wish I had one at home, it bakes everything perfectly.
Levain Bakery - It's All About the Cookie! 