Andrew offers three different courses, one covers standard yeasted doughs and is suitable for both beginners and those looking to hone their skills.
The second is all about sourdoughs and you will get the most out of the course if you already have some experience working with bread doughs.
The third is French baking including baguettes, brioche and croissants.

Dates have just been published for courses in 2013 and you can see them below or see the courses page on the website for more information and booking details.

Date	Course	Places remaining
21st October 2012	All about the dough	Full
18th November 2012	100% Sour	Full
9th December 2012	All about the dough	Full
20th January 2013	French baking	Available
24th February 2013	100% Sour	Available
24th March 2013	All about the dough	Available
21st April 2013	French baking	Available
19th May 2013	All about the dough	Available
23rd June 2013	100% Sour	Available
21st July 2013	All about the dough	Available
18th August 2013	French baking	Available
15th September 2013	All about the dough	Available
20th October 2013	100% Sour	Available
10th November 2013	All about the dough	Available
8th December 2013	French baking	Available

It feels like autumn has arrived and Phil has put together a seasonal menu for this week. Don't forget to book early for pizza night - or order a takeaway if it's a wet night and cooking seems like a drag!

Tuesday 25 September
Dish of the day: Beef stew served with dumplings and seasonal vegetables
Soup: Cauliflower

Wednesday 26 September
Dish of the day: Beef stew served with dumplings and seasonal vegetables
Soup: Cauliflower

Wednesday night is Pizza night
Pizza of the week: Mushroom, rosemary and ricotta
Desserts: Poached pear frangipane tart, Plum cheesecake, Tiramisu

Thursday 27 September
Dish of the day: Fish pie served with greens
Soup: Five root soup

Friday 28 September
Dish of the day: Fish pie served with greens
Soup: Five root soup

Saturday 29 September
Dish of the day: Vegetable curry served with rice
Soup: French onion soup

Sunday 30 September
Dish of the day: Vegetable curry served with rice
Soup: French onion soup

Though we do our best to stick to it, the menu is always subject to change.

Tuesday 18 September
Dish of the day: Homity pie served with salads
Soup: Vegetable

Wednesday 19 September
Dish of the day: Homity pie served with salads
Soup: Vegetable

Wednesday night is Pizza night
Pizza of the week: Caramelised onion, plum, prosciutto crudo and goat's cheese
Desserts: Apple almond tart, Orange and ginger cheesecake, Tiramisu

Thursday 20 September
Dish of the day: Beef lasagne served with a crisp green salad
Soup: Cannellini bean & leek soup with chilli oil

Friday 21 September
Dish of the day: Beef lasagne served with a crisp green salad
Soup: Cannellini bean & leek soup with chilli oil

Saturday 22 September
Dish of the day: Aubergine parmigiano served with a fresh green salad
Soup: Puy lentil

Sunday 23 September
Dish of the day: Aubergine parmigiano served with a fresh green salad
Soup: Puy lentil

Though we do our best to stick to it, the menu is always subject to change.

Hello

Again in haste I am afraid...

New staff in the bakery and kitchen

We have recently seen some changes in the kitchen and also in the bakery so I would thought I would let you know who the new faces are. Firstly, joining Phil the chef in the kitchen are Matt and Ashley. Matt will be familiar to pizza night customers and also those of you who come at the weekend as he has been in the shop for a couple of years now. He is now going to add kitchen duties to his role. Ashley may also be familiar to people from his time working at Crich Butchers'.

In the bakery, we have a new baker in Catherine and a new bakery manager in Mark. This brings our baker complement to four including myself and Keith. We will also soon be welcoming Stacey as an apprentice baker.

Welcome to all new members of the loaf team and we are confident that they will all serve you well and produce delicious food and bread for you to enjoy.

Now at the Old Smithy, Beeley and Coffee Drop, Wirksworth

Our wholesale customers continue to multiply. We have just started supplying the re-opened café the Old Smithy, Beeley with bread for the café every day.

A few weeks before that, we started to supply the new café 'Coffee Drop' in Wirksworth. Clive and his team use our bread for service as well as selling bread.

With these new outlets, you can now find bread from the loaf in Crich, Matlock, Kelstedge, Carsington, Beeley, Wirksworth, Belper and Derby. Just get in touch if you would like to know more about the supply closest to you.

I mentioned Marsh Green Farm Shop, Kelstedge in my last email. The now have a very comprehensive website.

Christmas at the loaf

I know it is just past August and you really don't want to be thinking about Christmas already. However, I just thought I would ask whether you had anything in particular you would like us to bake this year. Stollen we very popular, as were our mince pies of course but we are always looking to try new things so do let us know. If you are likely to want a Christmas cake from us, then please let us know in the next few weeks as we need to get them baked so they can be well fed by December!!

This is also a chance to give you early warning of the Christmas Markets we will be attending:

Fabulous Places Christmas Market - 17 and 18 November at the Round House, Derby

Duffield Artisan Food Fair - 18 November. Though not specifically a Christmas market, I am sure there will be a festive hint or two!

Brampton Food Fair, Brampton Road, Chesterfield - 1 December

Belper Christmas Food Fair, Market Square, Belper - 2 December

Baslow Christmas Food Fair, Baslow village hall - 9 December

For a full list of events and markets in a calendar format, see the news page of the website.

Job opportunities

We have two current vacancies at the loaf.

Shop Assistant - Matlock

We are looking for a Shop Assistant to join our friendly team in the Matlock Green shop. Principally required for Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday half days, up to and including our lunchtime. The role will require the ability to work in the shop and make food & drink orders for our cafe. Other days & hours maybe available on a flexible basis.

We need people with a customer focused outlook and a confident and outgoing personality. Your own car is essential.

Shop and catering experience are desirable for our busy environment.

Dispatch and Delivery Driver - Crich

We are looking for an early morning Dispatch & Delivery person to coordinate our bread orders and to deliver some of them, principally to Belper and Wirksworth.

The role requires punctuality, and attention to detail. The hours are approx. 0630 to 0900 Tuesday to Friday, and 0845 to 0945 for Saturday delivery and on a flexible basis to do the orders.

We need someone with a customer focused outlook and a confident and outgoing personality. Your own car is essential as you will use this for the deliveries, for which mileage is paid.

Please enquire for either role at the loaf providing a letter and CV for the attention of Roger Bode, and/or send toroger@theloaf.co.uk

Bread making courses - new dates in 2013

Dates for the 2012 are now full so keep checking the website, for dates next year. I will be publishing them this week.

To read more about the courses and comments from participants, see this blog entry. All details about the content of the courses and booking information are on the courses page of the website.

New products - Granny Mary's Finest Potted Beef

An exceptional new product comes to 'the loaf' in the form of Granny Marys Finest Potted Beef.

With the provenance of the Sutherland family behind it this pure original recipe has now been launched to market.

Made with the finest beef and tasting delicious this potted product is incredibly versatile. As an appetizer, it is delicious on crackers alone or with cream cheese. Spread on toasties it has a melt in your mouth quality. Exceptional in sandwiches with rocket & peppers for lunch or a snack. Also use with mango or beetroot chutney.

Rog regularly gets different products in to stock the deli counters in both Crich and Matlock. Watch the blog for the latest Cheese of the Week and other specials and do email him if you would like him to look out for something in particular.

No Pizza Night on 12 September

Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be no pizza night this week (12 September). Apologies for any inconvenience.

However, generally pizza nights continue to book up fast. If you would like to plan ahead, the specials are all listed on the website. To avoid disappointment call 01773 857074 to book. Don't forget that we also offer pizzas to take away. Browse the menu on the website then just phone to order. There is a 10% discount for orders of two pizzas or more.

 

Well that's about all the news for the time being. We are always happy to hear from you so drop us a line any time - particularly if you are not local and don't see us regularly in the shop.

Best wishes.

Andrew and Rog

Tuesday 11 September
Dish of the day: Roasted vegetable tart served with salads
Soup: Cream of mushroom

Wednesday 12 September
Dish of the day: Roasted vegetable tart served with salads
Soup: Cream of mushroom

Wednesday night is Pizza night
THERE IS NO PIZZA NIGHT THIS WEEK

Thursday 13 September
Dish of the day: Chilean squash & bean stew
Soup: Tomato and red pepper soup

Friday 14 September
Dish of the day: Chilean squash & bean stew
Soup: Tomato and red pepper soup

Saturday 15 September
Dish of the day: Pork & apple casserole served with stilton dauphinoise
Soup: Carrot & corriander

Sunday 16 September
Dish of the day: Pork & apple casserole served with stilton dauphinoise
Soup: Carrot & corriander

Though we do our best to stick to it, the menu is always subject to change.

Tuesday 4 September
Dish of the day: Leek and seed flan served with salads
Soup: Potato and sweetcorn chowder

Wednesday 5 September
Dish of the day: Leek and seed flan served with salads
Soup: Potato and sweetcorn chowder

Wednesday night is Pizza night
Pizza of the week: Salami, pesto and buffalo mozzarella
Desserts: Raspberry and custard tart, Strawberry cheesecake, tiramisu

Thursday 6 September
Dish of the day: Spicy pulled pork baps served with coleslaw and salad
Soup: Carrot, nutmeg and orange

Friday 7 September
Dish of the day: Spicy pulled pork baps served with coleslaw and salad
Soup: Carrot, nutmeg and orange

Saturday 8 September
Dish of the day: A selection of quiches served with salads
Soup: Pea and roast garlic

Sunday 9 September
Dish of the day: A selection of quiches served with salads
Soup: Pea and roast garlic

Though we do our best to stick to it, the menu is always subject to change.