My Decorative Bread from the International Artisan Baking Expo

 Last week I got to spend a full and productive time at the International Artisan Baking Expo in Las Vegas with some of the biggest names in baking and bread. It was, I can honestly say, one of my favorite experiences of all time! I spent many hours working on the decorative edible bread display for the event and wanted to share the loaves with you here on the blog. Some of the loaves I baked ahead of the show and then decorated at the event. Some were decorated and taken to the event. 

For more details on this baking and decorating technique, you can visit my bread website: Decorative Bread

Henna Wedding Loaf

 Ciabatta Wedding Loaf 

 8 Strand Braided Loaf 

Dragon Bread, Undecorated 

 Dragon Bread Ready to Decorate...

 Dragon Bread Decorated

Rose Crown Loaf Undecorated 

 Decorated Crown Loaf 

Rose Embellished Loaf

 Barley Leaf Loaf 

 Hawaiian Loaf 

 Leaf Loaf 

 Beet and Barley Domino Loaf 

 Rose Bun

 Classic Italian Rose Loaf 

Rustic Hawaiian Loaf

Enjoy a little bread art my darlings!! Happy baking!

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess

Basic Bread Tutorial Video with Becky Lynn from KTAR 92.3

I got to meet the sweet and amazing Becky Lynn known nationally for her radio and voice-over skills! Here in Phoenix she's been on Country music radio (KNIX and KMLE) and now  Talk radio KTAR for years! Becky Lynn is a multi-faceted voiceover actor with an unmistakable sound, heard across the U.S. on major television and radio stations, and on international commercials and business presentations. In fact, the other day when I was driving with my kids and the radio was on, I said, "THAT voice...…It'’s Becky Lynn."

 At any rate, Becky came by to see me at work in the bakery asking me some tips and ideas for what makes perfect bread. We talked about my new Bread Art book and had some serious fun! I love that we got some really great footage of how to form perfect loaves and it is basically my  beginner bread class condensed to 5 minutes. 

If you loved this video, please be sure to visit the KTAR video on their website and give it a tweet or share on facebook. The more they hear from my darlings, the more videos you'll get to see. Xoxo! 

There you go!

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess

Utah State University Preparedness Expo Highlights

Have you ever walked up to a store and seen a poster with your own face on it? Well...this was a crazy surprise! I had no idea that I was being put here on this poster...but it was sooooo cool to see it as I walked up to the stores in Utah!

 Today I took a special trip down to an expo center in Sandy Utah to teach two different classes at a USU preparedness expo community event. It was a bit surreal and I'm going to admit that I was a little nervous wondering what I could offer when Utah State University is just so epic well known for their food science.
However, I set my own self-doubt aside and decided that I'd have fun no matter what. Even if I threw-up on stage, they'd always remember me. Right?
Joining me for the 52 method meals in a jar class was my trusty menu board. I'm going to name her Milli the Menu...because she's starting to get more fans than anyone I know. Seriously. Who needs one of these? I love Milli. Love her. 

Random side-note. When I arrived home to see my folks they surprised me with a fully equip kitchen in my new downstairs apartment, ready for baking and getting ready for the two television segments and events of the weekend. I have to give them a big shout-out for that. It is so nice to have a home away from home to be able to get ready for shows! Thanks mom and dad!  I know it seems strange, but suddenly I feel like I can visit Utah any time and be ready at a moment's notice for whatever I need to do...and the stress just went way down in my soul. Thank you!! 

High Point!
Here I am on stage with my Mega Mom. She's the one who took my tiny fat fingers as a girl and first showed me how to knead bread with fresh milled whole grain flour from Honeyville. Now, what more could a girl want than to be on stage with such a cool mom?! I love her for teaching me all the science stuff behind bread and I'm so thankful to Utah State for teaching her all that she needed to know as well! Full circle cool-fest right there. Yup. Full circle. 

Other cool thing...this stinkin' cute street sign! Mary the Great at the Salt Lake City store did this. I love you Mary!!

Now this little ribbon and name-tag- memento will be clipped to Milli the Menu to remind me that even though I was vomit-nervous, I got  up on that stage and did my show! I felt like God was with me every step! It ended up being a big highlight of my year and one of my favorite events! Thank you all for being there with love, hugs, giggles, pats on the back...and for letting all your little girls line up in a row and ask for my autograph. I'll never get over that as long as I live. Never. Ever.

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess

Fresh Living Utah! Meals in a Jar Segment! Thank you!

 Click on the link to see the : Fresh Living Meals in a Jar! I've been so blessed to be part of the show whenever I visit my darlings in Utah! Channel 2...Thank you so much my friends! This one is fun!


Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess

Enter to Win a new Bosch Mixer! Video Segment!

I was blessed to be able to visit my darlings down at Studio 5 KSL in Salt Lake City for a fast preview of some of our new bakeware! I have to share this video with you because I think it just turned out so fun! Details for entering the contest can be found at the end of the video. Xoxo!

Get Ready to Watch the NBC 12 Morning Show Pumpkin Segment

Tomorrow, (Monday) at 6:45 AM on our local Phoenix NBC 12 morning show, I'll be making some amazing things with Pumpkin from our local Organic growers at  Love Grows Farms! I visited the farm yesterday and the pumpkins are beautiful! I adore their community supported agriculture program (CSA program ). It's an outstanding way to get organic veggies and not pay a ton of money.

One thing I found was their New England Pie Pumpkins (aka baking pumpkins) are amazingly sweet and wonderful for just what the name implies...baking. I popped the full size pumpkin, whole uncut, in my crock pot and let it go on low for 6 hours. After six hours I cut through the skin and scooped out the seeds, discarded...and had soft perfect pumpkin ready to bake with. No mess. It was awesome!

The smaller ones called Iron Man Pumpkins store up to 4 months and are great for pie too!

 This one is a classic Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin...but will bake well too.

Pumpkin is also a Powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, essential oils and fiber that your body needs! It's considered a super food among plants! I bet you just thought they were good for baking right? Nope. The consumption of pumpkin provides you with potassium, magnesium, alpha and beta-caretenes and antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E! They help provide a vast array of disease fighting nutrients. Plus, at 5 grams of fiber per 1/2 cup serving of pumpkin puree...they're an outstanding source for that too! 

Oh...and did you know that pumpkin seeds contain vitamin E, Iron, Magnesium, potassium, zinc, and are an outstanding source for plant based Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids?!

That being said, here's what I'm making on the show.

  If you want the printable recipes go  Here

On the show I'll be starting with sticky buns...

Pumpkin Spiced Peach and Pecan Sticky Buns

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Sweet Pumpkin Spice Tamales 

There you go! Enjoy the magnificent fall pumpkins! 


Go visit my friends at  Love Grows Farms! 

Remember my Free Cracker Making Class is tomorrow morning at 10 AM 
 Honeyville Farms Store
  33 South 56th Street Suite 1 


Chandler, AZ 85226

Phone: (480) 785-5210 

Always My Very Best,

Your Friend Chef Tess

Today on Studio 5. Chef Tess!

I'm home in SLC and did a quick segment on the KSL's Studio 5 to help share the news about the preparedness fair at Honeyville Farms that I'll be teaching classes.  It's quick...but you'll get the genereal idea. xoxo. Love  you all!

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Garden Decor Segment With Chef Stephanie

Wednesday on Valley Dish I got to do a fun Gardening Craft segment using the ideas I posted on my blog! Here's the footage. Enjoy the fun!

I'm going "In The Kitchen With Jan"! {Squeal} YES! *The* Jan D'Atri!

  If you're not from Arizona, as many of my international readers are...you may not know who this shining beautiful face is...but I dare say that I'm standing here beside myself right now. This is Jan D'Atri. You must read:  About Jan, because she's an icon here...and I'm about to be introduced to a  hero of mine! I promise not to pass out...today.  Jan called me yesterday and invited me to be on her radio show...This SATURDAY 3:00-5:00! That's a lot of food and zany fun folks!

On the radio:

"In The Kitchen With Jan”
Saturdays 3-5PM (Arizona Time)
NEWSTALK 550 KFYI, Clear Channel Phoenix
www.kfyi.com

So, I started in making dough last night...

 Yesterday after she called I got on the phone to Michael at Love Grows Farms to hook up with some sweet organic veggies...They took really good care of me. Smooches!

 Most exciting  is the fact that since the show will be on cooking with whole grain and whole foods, Preparing Wisely will get to show off it's amazing organic grains! I love teaching Classes there.  I love the store. I've never met better people.

 So we'll be talking super grains and cooking up some black quinoa...

How about a Father's Day breakfast that's made with a healthy twist?

 Zucchini whole grain pancakes using whole grains without a flour mill...and a blender!

We'll also be making some Fast and Easy bacon wrapped shrimp lemon herb linguini

And of course the grilled portabello mushroom and pineapple salad with avocado, bell peppers, and pistachio...and we'll throw in some surprises with some whole grain!

Grain isn't just for bread...and gosh darn it...I'm excited to be on Jan's show this Saturday. Please share the news with everyone! Let's make this the best show yet!

 That being said...this sweet rum, flax and orange bread is still pretty amazing for grain...

Bread will never be something I give up. Thank goodness I don't have to do so! Remember to share the love folks. I'm so excited!