Durham County Library Hosts Program on Local Artisan Bakers

Durham is home to learning opportunities available to people from all walks and stages of life.  Coming up in a few weeks is a great opportunity to combine a love of learning for a lifetime with another of Durham's great ingredients, food and those artisans who prepare it.

Long-time baker, Frank Ferrell of Ninth Street Bakery, will moderate a panel of Durham’s artisan bakers on Sunday, June 3 at 3 p.m. at the Main Library. Many different paths have led these food experts to Durham to bake professionally, and the region has become famous for their talents. According to Bon Appétit Magazine, the Durham-Chapel Hill area is ranked as “America's Foodiest Small Town,” citing partnerships between award-winning local restaurants, growers and organic farmers that have resulted in a thriving culture of eclectic cuisine.

Artisan bakers are credited with using local organic ingredients and traditional baking methods. As farmers’ markets have experienced great growth in Durham and the surrounding areas, the number of specialty bakeries has increased as well. The program features panelists from some of these well-known local patisseries including: Anna Branley of The Cupcake Bar, a custom order bakery featuring classic cupcakes and those inspired by favorite cocktails and other flavors; Claudia Kemmet-Cooper of Guglhupf, a European inspired café with a southern German twist; Kevin Farmer of Rue Cler, a Parisian style neighborhood restaurant serving downtown Durham since 2006; Phoebe Lawless of Scratch, one of Travel & Leisure magazine’s picks for “where to go for America’s top pies”; Durham resident Rob Nichols of Weaver Street Market, a community-owned cooperative grocery store, committed to supporting local farmers and small producers; and Ronald Graff of Loaf, a long-time presence at the Durham Farmers’ Market, now operating a bakery in downtown Durham.

Participants will learn how these bakers got started and what they love about the business. The panel will be followed by a Q&A session. This program is sponsored in large part by Durham Library Foundation. For more information contact Joanne Abel at 919-560-0268.

Durham County Library provides the entire community with books, services and other resources that inform, inspire learning, cultivate understanding and excite the imagination. For more information, visit your local library or visit online.

Program:       Artisan Bakers of Durham
Date:             Sunday, June 3
Time:             3 p.m.
Location:       Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.
Cost:              Free and open to the public