When we think of French desserts, we tend to imagine ornate creations and confections. Perhaps we envision a tarte Tatin, but rarely a homemade cake, whipped up on a weeknight with little fuss. But that is exactly what Parisians make and eat. Gâteaux are simple, delicious cakes, both sweet and savory, served to family and friends.
On Sunday, December 11th at 4:00pm, join Bethel’s Byrd’s Books for a mouth-watering afternoon of book signing and tasting baked goods - made by you. James Beard award-winning dessert columnist, Alessandra Crapanzano, will introduce her new book, Gateau: The Surprising Simplicity of French Cakes, then everyone digs in.
Anyone who’s attended a Byrd’s Books baking event knows it’s high on the calendar for holiday season preparations, so reservations are necessary and can by made at ByrdsBooks.com Alice Hutchinson explains further, “You purchase the book from Byrd’s Books,bake from the book and bring it to the event. There, you be given a $10 gift certificate to spend in the store. A small plate will be put out to sample small pieces of your baked goodies by the author and those in attendance. There will be time to ask questions on technique, etc.
“At the end, you will be offered the chance to buy a box for $10 (a donation to DAWS, Bethel's no-kill animal shelter), so we can swap our baked goods to bring home.” Cakes will be sliced and cookies or small pieces will be bagged-up. (Priority for the baked goods swap will be given to those who baked.)
Aleksandra Crapanzano writes for The Wall Street Journal. She is the author of The London Cookbook and Eat. Cook. LA., and her work has been widely anthologized, most notably in Best American Food Writing. She has been a frequent contributor to Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Food52, Saveur, Town & Country, Elle, The Daily Beast, Departures, Travel + Leisure, and The New York Times Magazine. She has years of experience in the film world and serves on several boards with a focus on sustainability.
Byrd’s Books is located at 178 Greenwood Avenue, across from the Bethel Public Library. Author discussions and Book Group gatherings are regularly added to Byrd’s Books’ calendar of events at ByrdsBooks.com
Hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sundays 12:00 noon to 4:00pm. For directions to the store or more information, call Byrd’s Books at 203-730-2973.
To review the shop’s expanded catalog of new titles, go to ByrdsBooks.com
