Gift(s) for a rising baker

[Puggit]

Puggit Jnr (male, 19) is off work long term and has started baking to alliviate the boredom. We have an adequately stocked kitchen for utensils - but can anyone think of Christmas gifts that might work? He is impossible to buy for - other main hobby is gaming on PC.

[oddman]

Boulangerie or patisserie?

[Arkose]

baking bread (and sourdough) is quite addictive and time consuming, loaf tin, banneton, dough scraper, one of those scoring utensils with a blade to score the top of the loafs etc...

[w1bbles]

A sourdough baker would appreciate:

1. A starter. You can make your own or you can buy established ones online, e.g., https://ebay.us/m/T4YAPV
2. A decent steel mixing bowl like this: https://amzn.eu/d/58YQCMb
3. Bannetons (at least 2). Here is an example: https://amzn.eu/d/aGvyp40
4. A dough scraper or two: https://ebay.us/m/rPMFjj
5. Airtight containers for the starter and the levain - Klipseal are good
6. A rectangular pizza stone for the oven. Here's one: https://amzn.eu/d/2Bm4Jsg
7. A Dutch oven. Example: https://amzn.eu/d/9jrxrjX

That should give you some options.

[w1bbles]

Arkose said:

baking bread (and sourdough) is quite addictive and time consuming, loaf tin, banneton, dough scraper, one of those scoring utensils with a blade to score the top of the loafs etc...

I was too slow - you beat me to it while I was making the list!

[oddman]

If it is bread, a decent set of scales which can handle a few kilos and some big tubs for bulk fermentation.

[dillenger]

Bread making…sourdough all day long, I am new to It but hooked already.

[Puggit]

Thanks all for the great replies - I should have been clearer, he's focussing more on patisserie type baking.

Trying to get him towards bread, but he's reluctant!

[Inbox]

How about a marble pastry board.

[LooneyTunes]

Puggit said:

Thanks all for the great replies - I should have been clearer, he's focussing more on patisserie type baking.

Trying to get him towards bread, but he's reluctant!

I put a list of the stuff I use in the sourdough baking thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

The scales would be equally relevant for patisserie. They aren't outrageously expensive and handle bakers' percentages.

Another thing to consider is to book him on a course. He will progress really quickly:
1) Learning from someone who knows what they're doing;
2) Seeing from the outset that he can produce a cracking product.

There are courses out there from 1 day to 5 days +, depending on how much you want to spend/how much time he wants to devote to it.

[JimM169]

Kitchen Aid \ Kenwood mixer?
Piping set

Edited by JimM169 on Tuesday 9th December 15:34

[moorx]

Maybe have a look on the Lakeland site?

[21TonyK]

Few ideas here...

https://www.nisbets.co.uk/kitchenware-and-knives/p...

[dickymint]

21TonyK said:

Few ideas here...

https://www.nisbets.co.uk/kitchenware-and-knives/p...

As it happens I got this coming from them this week (it's my reverse secret santa pressie from Wifey....long story ) ...........


https://www.nisbets.co.uk/waring-commercial-xpress...

Absolute bargain.......maybe? Can't wait for Her to open it

[sherman]

Get him a copy of Larousse Patisserie and baking
https://amzn.eu/d/6jc5GTU
If he cant find something he wants to bake from that book he wont be baking long.

[craigthecoupe]

I've vote for a course too. Spending some time around a decent enthusiastic teacher, who knows where that might lead?

[dickymint]

craigthecoupe said:

I've vote for a course too. Spending some time around a decent enthusiastic teacher, who knows where that might lead?

Indeed who knows

[unzippy]

The red one - they're faster.

https://thermapen.co.uk/thermapen-thermometers/184...