Target reached! Stretch target: £15,000
More money would go towards giving our annex a makeover, turning it into the perfect...
Help Helen open Eric's Bakery, East Dulwich
London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Aim: Eric's is a small independent bakery which needs your help to raise some money for equipment. Opening in southeast London early next year!
My name's Helen and I've been baking professionally for nearly a decade. I've worked in bakeries from Melbourne (Loafer Bread) to Lima (El Pan de La Chola), and most recently held the position of Head Baker at Flor in Borough Market and then Bermondsey. At Flor my efforts became focussed on building relationships with UK-based farmers and millers and sourcing organically-grown wheats which have less of a detrimental impact on the health of the soil.
Rooting in Southeast London
Eric's is my future and will occupy a space at 20 Upland Road, two blocks from Lordship Lane and one block from the North Cross Road Market (see photo below, red pin is Eric's). My goal is a small neighbourhood bakery committed to championing UK-grown wheat, and perhaps more importantly, only wheat that is a product of low to no-input and organic farming systems. I'll offer sourdough breads (think porridge breads rolled in flaked grains and seeded rolls, 100% rye tins and fruit loaves) and breakfast pastries (croissants, pains au chocolat, morning buns), alongside topped focacce, doughnuts, other sweet and savoury treats and coffee.
What will set Eric's apart?
Locally-grown wheat! George Young, a friend based near Basildon (Essex) grows both heritage and modern varieties of wheat and mills the grain fresh on-farm. You can't find wheat growing much closer to central London! I'll also continue to support some of my other favourite farmers and suppliers, including Henry from Bruern Estate in the Cotswolds, Andrew at Fresh Flour in Devon and Hodmedod's, amongst others.
Delicious ingredients! We really are spoiled for choice here in the UK, particularly when it comes to dairy. Eric's croissants will contain beautifully cultured butter from Ampersand Dairy in Banbury. You'll also find cheeses from Neal's Yard Dairy on the menu, and veggies grown by Helen and Calixta at Flourish Produce near Cambridge.
Workshops! Eric's will offer classes in bread, laminated pastry, pizza and pasta-making. Come and learn how to make sourdough bread, croissants and puff pastry from scratch, and incorporate wholemeal and freshly milled flour into recipes too. Eric's will also provide a space for collaboration via specialist masterclasses hosted by fellow bakers and pastry chefs. Examples of some of these are listed within the 'rewards' side bar.
When will Eric's open?
The target is to open by mid-March, in perfect time for pre-Easter hot cross buns!
What will your money go towards?
Your donations will go towards a dough mixer and a pastry sheeter, two fundamental pieces of bakery kit. The dough mixer will help me mix up to 50kg sourdough at a time without having to break a sweat, and the pastry sheeter will help roll out the croissant dough.
Eric's Rewards
I feel lucky to know so many talented and inspiring bakers, and even luckier that some of them have agreed to host one-off workshops with me at Eric's! From an afternoon of summer-pudding-making to an autumnal pie-making masterclass, why not give the gift of a workshop this Christmas. Details will be released upon opening next year, so stay tuned for updates to redeem your workshop credit!
You could also purchase a Limited Edition t-shirt or tote bag printed with the Eric's logo, which has been designed by illustrator Jordan Amy Lee.