Our fall baking class lineup is here, and we can’t wait to welcome you into the mill, the bakery, and around the table. This season, we’re especially excited to have Melissa McManamy joining us to teach not just one or two, but three upcoming classes! Melissa brings deep baking knowledge, warmth, and hands-on experience to each class, and we’re lucky to have her in our space.
About the Instructor
Melissa McManamy is a professional pastry chef and baker that has worked in the industry for over a decade. Melissa has always had a passion for baking, and from a young age was inspired to create delicious things that made people smile. Melissa is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, where she earned a B.S. in Baking & Pastry Arts. Throughout her career she has worked in many restaurants and bakeries, up and down the East Coast. Melissa discovered the history and flavor of stone-milled grains in 2018 and it has inspired her journey ever since. Specializing in naturally leavened, enriched and laminated doughs, Melissa loves utilizing stone-milled grains and learning their unique capacities. Melissa most recently managed the bakery at The Grey Barn and Farm, on Martha’s Vineyard. She now resides in central Connecticut with her husband and 18 month old son, where she is starting her own venture. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and passion for baking, and aims to break down complex techniques, making them more approachable for students.
Upcoming Classes and Dates
Sourdough Class
In this class you’ll learn the basics of sourdough. We’ll go over starter maintenance, mixing, shaping and baking techniques. We’ll produce a traditional sourdough loaf as well as a 100% rye loaf. We’ll discuss baker’s math, what it means, and how to develop your own formula. You’ll get to take home two loaves of bread to enjoy!
Duration: 4 hours
Price: $125 per person
Skills Covered: Kneading techniques, fermentation basics, shaping methods, and proper proofing and baking procedures.
Dates: Friday October 3rd from 2pm-6pm, and Friday December 5th from 2pm-6pm
Pie Making
In this hands-on class you’ll learn the ins and outs of an all butter pie crust. We’ll discuss ingredients, rolling and crimping techniques and how to achieve a perfectly baked crust. Participants will be able to put together their own fruit or custard pie under the guidance of our instructor, and you’ll get to take your baked pie home to enjoy!
Duration: 4 hours
Price: $125 per person
Skills Covered: Pie Crust Fundamentals, Dough Preparation, Rolling Techniques, Crimping and Decorative Edges, Filling Selection, Baking Science, Troubleshooting, Assembly Skills.
Dates: Friday November 14th from 2pm-6pm
Puffed Pastry Class
In this class you will be shown how to hand laminate puff pastry. We’ll mix the dough, discuss which butter is best for laminating and go over the lamination process. You’ll get to help shape and fill a variety of pastries including tarts, danishes, palmier, and strudel. You’ll get to take home a variety of pastries made in class to enjoy!
Duration: 4 hours
Price: $125 per person
Skills Covered: Dough Preparation, Butter Selection, Lamination Process, Rolling Methods, Shape Formation, Filling Application, Palmier Creation, Strudel Assembly.
Dates: Friday September 12th from 2pm-6pm, and Friday October 24th 2pm-6pm
