June 13, 2009
As many of you know we, at Levain Bakery, are animal lovers in a big way! In addition to loving meeting all of your favorite animals and giving them treats (when allowed) we all (almost) have pets of our own.
One of our best friends, Dr. Jennifer Katz, is a fabulous vet who, lucky for us, happened to move out in the Hamptons, shortly after we opened our Wainscott location. Along with Dr. Katz’ help we have started to try to trap and spay/neuter some of the many feral cats around the Wainscott Bakery. For the past two years we have accidently ended up with the kittens of some of these cats (long story) who the Veterinary Clinic of East Hampton (www.vetcliniceh.com) has been kind enough to take, care for, and get adopted. Colin, from the Seafood Shop, says he sees tons of these cats around his shop as well.
Our Vet Clinic in the city, Manhattan Cat Specialists (www.manhattancats.com) , also sometimes has beautiful cats and kitties who need homes if you would like to adopt.
So, I guess the point of this is a plea to make sure that everyone you know gets their animals spayed and neutered, as well as adopting from shelters rather then breeders. There are so many amazing animals who need loving homes. If you would like to make a donation, please consider the Veterinary Clinic of East Hampton, to help them with this enormous project of trying to care for all the animals out East who need help and, for one reason or another, have no funding.
May 3, 2009
Pam is one of the owners here at Levain Bakery. Pam does everything!! She is a great baker (we all have learned some superb cake baking skills from her), she keeps the business running smoothly (she is extremely organized) and is great to have around to chat with (one of my favorite things to do with her). She also makes us all very jealous with her coffee making skills …. She makes the best cappuccinos around!
Name: Pam
What’s your sign? Virgo.
Where did you grow up? The North shore of Long Island.
How long have you lived in New York City? 26 years!
How long have you been working at Levain Bakery? 14 years.
What’s your favorite color? This week orange.
What’s your favorite thing at the bakery? Everything.
Cat or Dog? Cat – I can’t have a dog in my apartment.
If you could be a cookie package, where would you want to be shipped? Anywhere in Italy or the east end of Long Island.
What smells the best when it’s in the oven? It all smells good depending upon the time of day- sourdough rolls or ciabatta in the morning, scones and chocolate cookies all day, sticky buns on the weekends…..
Chocolate Chip Walnut or Chocolate Chocolate Chip? Both – depends upon the day.
What’s your favorite song played at the bakery? What’s your least favorite song played at the bakery? Too controversial, I try not to get too involved – they are all good at the right time.
If you could be one thing in the bakery, what would you be and why? Me – I love everything about what we do, from actually making and baking everything to meeting and chatting with customers.
Make a statement that best defines you: Focused and determined – Namaste.
April 17, 2009
The Levain Bakery Wainscott location will open for the season this Friday, April 17th at 8am!
Spring Hours are
Friday 8am – 5pm
Saturday 8am – 5pm
Sunday 8am – 1pm
We will open 7 days on Friday June 26th. Hope to see you there!
April 11, 2009
Katie is the newest member of our gang. She has been at the bakery for about 3 months and in New York City for only about 4 months, but she has already fit into our “family” so well. Most days, you will see Katie behind our retail counter with her big smile and very gracious, bubbly attitude. She’s great at keeping the retail area looking its absolute best and loves helping out whenever she can with anything else.
Name: Katie
What’s your sign? Virgo
Where did you grow up? Phoenix, AZ
How long have you lived in New York City? 4 1/2 months
How long have you been working at Levain Bakery? 3 months
What’s your favorite color? Yellow
What’s your favorite thing at the bakery? Pumpkin Spice Bread
Cat or Dog? I love them equally
If you could be a cookie package, where would you want to be shipped? To my grandma in Phoenix. I got my sweet tooth from her.
What smells the best when it’s in the oven? Scones
Chocolate Chip Walnut or Chocolate Chocolate Chip? Chocolate Chip Walnut
What’s your favorite song played at the bakery? Freedom- George Michael
What’s your least favorite song played at the bakery? Tusk- Fleetwood Mac
If you could be one thing in the bakery, what would you be and why? Can I be the smell when you walk in? I think that it is the most loved thing in the bakery.
Make a statement that best defines you: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi
March 21, 2009
Emily is the one member of our staff right now that has been at the bakery the longest. Because of this, she really can do most things here and is extremely helpful. Her main focus is handling the daily responsibility of the Cookies by Mail. Along with that she works retail and helps me in production- her days can be quite diverse. She adds much laughter to everyday with her great smile and obsession with the Wheel of Fortune.
Name: Emily
What’s your sign? Scorpio
Where did you grow up? Jessup, Pennsylvania
How long have you lived in New York City? 4 ½ years
How long have you been working at Levain Bakery? 2 ½ years
What’s your favorite color? It changes frequently, but right now it’s green
What’s your favorite thing at the bakery? Olive & Goat Cheese Pizza
Cat or Dog? Dog
If you could be a cookie package, where would you want to be shipped? Paris
What smells the best when it’s in the oven? Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Chocolate Chip Walnut or Chocolate Chocolate Chip? CCW
What’s your favorite song played at the bakery? Dionne Warwick: I Say a Little Prayer
What’s your least favorite song played at the bakery? Earth Wind and Fire : Sing a Song
If you could be one thing in the bakery, what would you be and why? Postcard – so I could travel around the world.
Make a statement that best defines you: For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of stars makes me dream (Van Gogh)
March 14, 2009
Alexis helps me with all the responsibilities that keep the bakery looking its best. She is also a great asset as part of the retail staff. She’s extremely organized and meticulous and is ALWAYS ready to lend a helping hand. At first she appears a little timid, but once you get to know her she opens up into this bright, fun loving person (as long as there is a little Dionne Warwick playing J)
Name: Alexis
What’s your sign? Gemini
Where did you grow up? Easton, PA
How long have you lived in New York City? June ‘07
How long have you been working at Levain Bakery? Since September ‘08
What’s your favorite color? It depends, I like them all.
What’s your favorite thing at the bakery? Artichoke Pizza
Cat or Dog? Dog
If you could be a cookie package, where would you want to be shipped? Hawaii
What smells the best when it’s in the oven? Pumpkin Spice Bread
Chocolate Chip Walnut or Chocolate Chocolate Chip? CCW
What’s your favorite song played at the bakery? Anything by Dionne Warwick
What’s your least favorite song played at the bakery? Private Dancer by Tina Turner
If you could be one thing in the bakery, what would you be and why? A shot of espresso so I can be “rich”
Make a statement that best defines you: There is no one statement that defines me.
March 9, 2009
In the next few weeks Connie and Pam will be offering several class dates with two different curriculums. Our hope is that you will leave with the confidence to take what you learned and make it at home.
The first curriculum will be Italian Breads which will include making a basic focaccia, ciabatta and pizza.
The second curriculum will be Breakfast where you will learn make our oatmeal raisin scones, bomboloncini and plain brioche.
Dates
Tuesday March 24, 7:30 -9:30pm – Breakfast
Wednesday March 25, 7:30-9:30pm – Italian Breads
Monday March 30, 7:30-9:30pm – Breakfast
Tuesday March 31, 7:30pm -9:30pm – Italian Breads
FAQ
Class size will be limited to four people
Cost per person $250
To sign up go to:
http://store.itsallaboutthecookie.com/baking-for-breakfast-march-24-2009.aspx
http://store.itsallaboutthecookie.com/baking-italian-breads-march-25-2009.aspx
http://store.itsallaboutthecookie.com/baking-for-breakfast-march-30-2009-1.aspx
http://store.itsallaboutthecookie.com/baking-italian-breads-march-31-2009.aspx
Classes may be filmed
If you have any questions please contact Emily at classes@levainbakery.com
February 27, 2009
©pamela weekes
Our short trip to Rome was wonderful. We love the Italian culture, language, art, history and, of course, especially the food, wine and coffee. We had some amazing meals, thanks especially to some recommendations of Cesare Casella of Salumeria Rossi, around the corner from the bakery, which we adore.
©pamela weekes
We did not stop for one minute, criss crossing the city, trying to see and to taste as much as possible in our four short days. One thing our explorations reaffirmed is that what we do here at Levain Bakery is still exceptional. There are very few places in the world (literally) that bake everything they sell freshly each day, and on the premises. Although almost everything we bake has a longer shelf life than one day we believe that if you are coming to our bakery you should get the freshest product possible. It also allows us to donate to organizations in need and give something back to the community and our world.
©pamela weekes
We hope that our customers appreciate that the reason we sometimes run out and perhaps do not have a huge selection is because we try to make everything we make the best and the freshest possible.
©pamela weekes
©pamela weekes
©pamela weekes
©pamela weekes
©pamela weekes
February 19, 2009
It seems, here at Levain Bakery, that a few of us are in love with Italy as well as baking. Some of us even attempt to study Italian in our free time and fantasize about living there. So it should not be surprising that two of us are in Rome now, for four short days, and will report back on the sites, the food and the wine next week!
And, of course, we will also have the results of our traditional, unofficial, Oscar pool!
February 7, 2009
Blogs are a great thing. With a few sentences and maybe a picture or two, you can really let someone into your world. That has been our intention with the Levain blog. To share ideas, thoughts and experiences that will make our customers feel they are a part of what happens here. Whether it’s learning a new technical skill or just chatting about our weekend, we want everyone to know what is going on…… Now that I’ve written a few entries and you have gotten to know a little bit about me, I’d like to introduce my great staff. I’ve decided that for the next few weeks, I want to introduce each one of them to you through this blog (if you want to know more about them, you can come visit!). Each staff member will be featured individually and will share a little bit about themselves. You will get to know our production staff, our retail staff and maybe even Pam and Connie! Every single person who works here makes Levain Bakery run smoothly. From the 4 am bakers to the retail person who sells at our last cookie every night-every member of our team counts 100% and now you will get to put a face to the cookie!
