The Model Bakery Cookbook

October 21, 2013
Who knew a dinner roll could look so beautiful? A dozen pillow-like puffs of dough, perfectly dusted with flour, one split open and topped with ample pats of butter, grace the pages of this inspiring title. The Mitchell mother-and-daughter team is behind the Napa-located Model Bakery and here, reader’s will find 75 of the bakery’s recipes. Chapters are broken down by Breads, Yeasted Sweets, Breakfast Favorites, Cakes, Pies and Tarts, and Cookies. Beginning bakers may feel somewhat intimidated by the lengthy instructions in recipes and by sections such as the 6-page wedding cake spread, and the noted “pricy”-to-prepare Chocolate-Raspberry Cake, but those comfortable with a bowl and whisk will delight in the perfected Morning Bun recipe, the multigrain bread, Struan loaf, and the ideal-for-company Plum Galette. Not for the beginner, the book includes beautiful photographs with top-notch food styling, making this a favorite to keep in the kitchen, or the coffee table.

November 15, 2013

The Model Bakery, whose free-form English muffins appeared on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, has provided Napa Valley with brick oven-fired breads and pastries since 1984. Founder Mitchell, with daughter and business partner Hansen and veteran cookbook author Rodgers, has scaled the bakery's recipes for home kitchens and largely succeeds at making them accessible. Even the most involved recipes are approachable, offering just enough technical guidance for novices. VERDICT This attractive bakery cookbook contains a charming business history and a familiar assortment of breads, muffins, pies, cakes, and cookies. It is, however, one of many similar titles, so buy for demand.

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