Welcome to the release event for Caught Bread Handed by Ellie Alexander! This is the fourth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series and releases June 28th by St. Martin’s Press. You can buy it from your local bookshop or order a signed copy from the authors local bookshop.
Guest Post: Baking Behind the Scenes
Welcome to Torte, where the bread is always served warm with a pat of hand-churned butter, and a side of love. Torte, the artisan family bakeshop in my culinary mystery series, is a gathering place for the community. Locals and tourists stop in for fresh raspberry scones, slices of decadent double chocolate cake, and to talk about all the gossip and news around town. I love getting to create a comforting and welcoming bakeshop and writing about food. However, I’m not a trained pastry chef which means that I spend a lot of time visiting real bakeries and interviewing professional chefs. It’s a rough job, I know.
I thought it would be fun to give you a taste (pun intended) of the research that goes into learning the inner workings of the culinary world.
For starters I think about the actual space. Because Torte is located in Ashland, Oregon, home of the world famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival, it has to have a touch of Shakespeare and whimsy. It’s painted cheery red and teal blue with corrugated metal siding, bistro tables, and a chalkboard menu. One of my bakery inspirations is a place called Cake Happy in Camas, Washington. It’s a family run shop with gorgeous window displays, a rustic elegant vibe, and plenty of cozy couches to curl up with a red velvet cupcake and steaming hot latte.
Another thing that I do when I’m working on a book is interview pastry chefs. I’ve learned so many tricks of the trade, quick tips for baking, and even gotten a few new ideas on how to bump someone off in a bakeshop from chatting with chefs. I’ve been so impressed to watch how they orchestrate a blur of staff, a frenzy of chopping knives, and plate after plate of styled food. One of the most amazing experiences that I’ve had behind the scenes in a professional kitchen was at the NW Culinary Institute where I spent an evening watching chefs-in-training at work as they prepared a six course meal that almost too pretty to eat and tasted even better.
Speaking of taste, I can’t even begin to count how many pastries and baked goods I’ve sampled in the last few years. Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining, but my waistline might be in trouble. Whenever I travel I ask for recommendations on the best places to score a sweet eat in town. I’ve never been disappointed in my search and I try to find unusual flavor combinations and exotic delicacies when I’m exploring a new place, some of which have even found their way into the pages of the books. One standout tasting memory was at the dessert buffet in Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I still dream of the miles of cakes, macaroons, chocolate dipped strawberries, and petit fours. Yum!
Lastly, one of the most rewarding and humbling things about writing the series has been connecting with local bakers. They have welcomed me into their kitchens, championed the books, and created stunning masterpieces like this cakescape from the book release party for the third book in the series, On Thin Icing. My local pastry muse is Kristina with Tier Catering who treated the audience to a hands-on icing demonstration and a tutorial on the best way to cut a cake. Seriously, I think I have the best job ever!
Here’s to all the bakers—whether in your home kitchen or in a 5-star restaurant—I hope you enjoy my fictional bakeshop in Caught Bread Handed.
Happy Baking!
~Ellie
About the Book:
Welcome to Torte—a friendly, small-town family bakeshop where the oven is heating up as high as the body count…
Jules Capshaw is still chewing over her husband Carlos’s return to Ashland, Oregon. Could there be too many cooks in the kitchen? Whatever is stirring between those two will have to wait. Despite the Oregon Shakespeare Festival being dark for the winter, the bakeshop is bustling, the dough is rolling, and there’s no rest for the weary… especially when murder is thrown into the mix.
When Mindy Nolan, the owner of a new restaurant in town, turns up dead, the batter at hand thickens. Jules knows that there was bad blood between Mindy and others in town, and tracking the killer could prove to be an unwelcome treat. And to top it all off, there’s Carlos, who is pleading—with those delicious dark eyes and sexy Spanish accent—for Jules to take him back. Is home where the heart is or will she make a fresh start… and risk getting burned?
About the Author:
Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter to learn more.
GIVEAWAY:
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This sounds like a really fun mystery to read. thanks for sharing!
A delightful and special feature and giveaway. Wonderful series. Thanks for this feature.
Series sounds yummy; very generous giveaway, thanks!
Love the title and a good mystery.
I am a fan of cozy mysteries and I would LOVE to win your generous and fun giveaway!! Thanks very much for the chance!!
The books look interesting and the photos of the cakes look yummy.
Your book titles are making me hungry!
Thank you so much for sharing!
I am looking forward to reading this, thanks for the review.
Penney
Your series sounds terrific – as does your giveaway! More books for my wish list!
What a terrific contest and prize. I would love to win this. Lemonade is my favorite drink (other than my morning coffee) and who doesn’t love cookies and books. Thanks for the great contest and prize.
Love reading Meet Your Baker and I can’t wait to read the rest 😀
This book sunds fun and perfect for summer reading. Thanks for the great giveaway.
what a great combo. Both the book and the food are quite drool worthy!
Series looks yummy and delish 😉 So intrigued about these books!!!!! Thank you so much for the giveaway!!!!!
Nothing better than comfort food and a mystery.
awesome giveaway
This is an AWESOME Prize Pack I would LOVE to win it for the books alone
How fun. I’m looking forward to reading it.
What a great giveaway!! Love these books.
I’m looking forward to reading this book. I can’t wait to see what has been going on with Jules and Carlos.
Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I love baking so this is perfect!
I am jumping with excitement to read this awesome book series!! It sounds so much to fun to read!!! Baking is my true favorite hobby, yummy double chocolate brownies and books make the best combination!!!
What a great prize pack! This book sounds yummy and fun…great title.
An interesting read with food to top it off, can’t wait to read this
If I win this book set, I will share them with my sister. She loves books like these and can read them in one sitting!
Dianna
What a wonderful giveaway. Sounds like a wonderful book.
I’ve been aware of these books for a while, but I’ve never read them so thank you for the chance to win!
sounds like a fun bunch
These sound like wonderful books to read.