Matador Network's Blog, page 893

Best films set in Europe

Films have the power to whisk you away to far-flung corners of the globe, without you ever having to leave your couch. But as well as offering a bit of entertainment and fuelling our desire to travel, they also remind us that the world on our own doorstep is not to be overlooked. From sun-warmed Italian villages to the bleak hills of Cumbria, these 10 films show off the undeniable beauty of Europe. Some are slices of pure escapism while others remind us that it’s not the place that’s important so much as who we’re with.

1. Call Me by Your Name — Italy

Photo: IMDB

This idyllic depiction of Italian life has everything you’ve ever wanted from a Mediterranean-set romance: Think al-fresco dining, old cobbled piazzas and plenty of languorous sunbathing. Set in northern Italy in the ‘80s, this coming of age love story stars Timothée Chalamet as a boy who falls for a slightly older man (Armie Hammer) over the course of one long, hot summer. Watch it for scenes of Lake Garda and the timeless villages around Lombardy, where the pair spend their days riding bicycles and flirting in the sunshine.

2. Midsommar — Sweden/Hungary

Photo: IMDB

Ari Aster took advantage of Scandinavia’s famous midnight sun to spook viewers in Midsommar, his nightmarish fairytale horror — not that that put anyone off. The film’s dappled meadows, rustic farmhouses, and fir-filled forests made us all want to visit Sweden. Most scenes of the Hårga village were actually filmed just outside of Budapest, Hungary, but the village does exist (though the rituals depicted in the film do not) as does Hälsingland, the region of Sweden in which most of Midsommar takes place. In fact, the folk art that features in almost every shot of the film exists too: There are several decorated farmhouses in the area that make up a protected UNESCO World Heritage site.

3. To Catch a Thief — France

Photo: IMDB

For turquoise waters and plunging coastlines depicted in glorious technicolor, look no further than Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief. Set on the Côte d’Azur (Monaco, Nice, and Cannes), this slick thriller is about a retired burglar who falls for a Rivera socialite while a string of robberies leaves him fighting to clear his name. Expect suspense, seduction, and ‘50s-style innuendos — like the camera cutting away to a fireworks display during a moment of passion. For more sunny French sights on film (but with a downbeat feel), Éric Rohmer’s The Green Ray follows a restless soul as she drifts between The Alps and Biarritz. A must for anyone who’s ever felt the holiday blues.

4. Withnail & I — England

Photo: IMDB

While the film opens in a dreary flat in Camden Town, the two title characters soon make their way over to Cumbria, Northern England, to get away from it all and find “the finest wines available to humanity.” The desolate hills and rain-whipped farmhouses make the perfect setting for the debauched pair’s melancholic expedition. Despite being set in Penrith, Crow Crag, the cottage where the pair stay is actually Sleddale Hall, near Shap in Cumbria. Fans of the film can even organize a tour of the inside, although the room where Uncle Monty tries his luck with Marwood was filmed elsewhere.

5. Porco Rosso — Croatia

Photo: IMDB

Porco Rosso is an early animation from Studio Ghibli’s legendary Hayo Miyazaki. Most of the story takes place in the Adriatic Sea, between Italy and the former Yugoslavia — though much of the lovingly hand-drawn coastline resembles Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. Porco himself is an air ace who’s inexplicably been turned into a pig who plies his trade as a bounty hunter. He spends his days swooping his red seaplane over glittering waters and drinking wine in an idyllic sheltered cove that looks a little like Stiniva Beach on the island of Vis — which film fans might be interested to know is the setting of Mamma Mia 2.

6. Sleep Furiously — Wales

Photo: IMDB

Gideon Koppel’s documentary is a love letter to an ailing farming community in Trefeurig, Wales. Koppel’s camera picks out the small, unshowy beauty of village life: the smooth lines of plowed fields, the shape of flapping sheets on a washing, a small congregation of people singing hymns in a sunlit church. Despite the stunning beauty of the landscape, there’s a lurking suspicion that the demise of this community is inevitable — though it’s also a celebration of the resilience of the people who keep the village and its traditions alive.

7. The “Before” trilogy — Vienna, France, Greece

Photo: IMDB

Richard Linklater’s minimalistic stroll-and-talk trilogy starts with Before Sunrise, a sweet indie film that follows Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy), a young French woman, who meet on a train and disembark together in Vienna. As the sun sets, they spend the night walking the cobbled streets, philosophizing and falling in love. Vienna is as much a character in the film as Jesse and Celine, as is Paris nine years later in Before Sunset and finally Messenia in Greece in Before Midnight. Their story is a perfect example of how travel has the power to make us reassess our own lives.

8. Roman Holiday — Italy

Photo: IMDB

A rom-com for the ages, this monochrome classic stars Audrey Hepburn as a princess on tour in Rome and Gregory Peck as a journalist who’s just missed his interview slot with her. That evening, he lets a beautiful young woman who’s had a little too much to drink rest in his apartment. The following day, HRH cancels her appointments due to “sickness.” Coincidence? Nope! The journalist gives her majesty a grand old tour of Rome, which serves as the perfect backdrop for their burgeoning romance. For more Italy on film (but with a bit more bite), check out Sergio Leone’s “Dollars” trilogy, featuring the acclaimed The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

9. In Bruges — Belgium

Photo: IMDB

“Bruges is a shit hole,” complains hitman Ray (Colin Farrell) at the beginning of this cult classic, before eventually succumbing to its charms. It’s easy to see why: This World Heritage site is filled with impossibly picturesque cobbled streets, chocolate box buildings, and a peaceful canal that winds its way through the city. Visit during Christmas, and you’ll get to follow in his footsteps and wander underneath masses of twinkling lights. Die-hard fans of the movie can even download an In Bruges map, which guides you around the filming locations.

10. Wings of Desire — Germany

Photo: IMDB

Shot in stark black and white, Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire reminds us that there’s beauty to be found in everyday life. The main character is an angel who wanders through Berlin, observing people and learning what it is to be human. As he watches the city-dwellers talking, going to work, feeling lonely, and falling in love, he yearns to give up his angel form and live among humans so he can experience life as they do. As well as being a poetic piece of cinema, it’s a romantic portrait of a divided Berlin in the late ‘80s, just two years before the Wall was pulled down. Watch it to see eerie, rubble-filled streets and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds playing live in a smoky club.


More like this: 8 books that will take your taste buds on a global journey

The post 10 films that show the beauty of Europe appeared first on Matador Network.

Wellness industry during coronavirus

Think about the last time you escaped your daily routine and indulged in some serious self-care at a spa, hotel, or resort. Now think of the many employees who helped make that possible: The people who handled your luggage or handed you a glass of Champagne, and those who pointed you in the right direction or suggested an activity they thought you might enjoy. Basically, all the little moments that added up to your private paradise were made possible by our friends in the hospitality industry.

Those same people are now facing a dark and uncertain future as the travel industry all but shuts down in order to prevent further spread of COVID-19. In the past few weeks alone, the world’s largest hotel company, Marriott, was forced to begin furloughs and layoffs along with other international hotel chains like Hilton and MGM. And while all travel-related companies must grapple with difficult cost-cutting decisions right now, it’s achingly personal with smaller hotels and resorts where staff often feel like an acquired family.

Despite the bleak outlook, there are bright spots worth celebrating. People around the world are stepping up to help support hospitality workers during this time of need. In many cases, the small businesses most at risk during this pandemic are also in the best position to lean on the redemptive power of community for care and support.

One example is John Kiesendahl, owner of The Lodge at Woodloch, a destination spa in Hawley, Pennsylvania, as well as nearby Woodloch Pines Family Resort and Woodloch Springs golf resort. These three properties together have nearly 1,200 employees at all three properties. Last week, Kiesendahl gave full pay to all of his employees for two weeks while the nation’s leaders developed a larger plan to sustain the industry and economy. In addition, the brands have pulled together excess perishable goods from their supply that would otherwise go to waste and are selling them to the community at or below cost. Funds from the sales will go to a staff “crisis fund” to help those most in need of support.

Photo: The Lodge at Woodloch/Facebook

Matt Tabor, general manager of The Inn at Riverwalk in Vail, Colorado, spoke to The Daily Beast about how smaller hotels seem to be in a better position to take care of employees and help out in other areas as well. The Inn is in talks to provide rooms to traveling medical professionals and first responders coming through the area, and he welcomes the opportunity to keep the medical teams safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their county.

This charitable instinct is common in an industry built on a passion for serving others. As the current crisis evolves, hotel properties are proving their genuine commitments to social responsibility via the actions they take to help staff when they’re most vulnerable. Jessica Blotter, founder and CEO of the philanthropic hotel booking platform KindTraveler, has seen this play out with her hotel partners. She shared, for instance, how the luxury Ka’ana Resort in Belize, which normally facilitates guest donations to the Cayo Animal Welfare Society, is redistributing the money to other projects, such as property renovations and daytime security teams. Edgewood Tahoe Resort, another KindTraveler partner and patron of Take Care Tahoe, announced it will keep all of its active employees on full pay while closed, as well as donate all perishable food items to local charities.

Access to food is a big hurdle faced by many workers in the hospitality industry. Changes are being made at some companies to ensure food is available. The Lodge at Woodloch’s on-property Blackmore Farm, for example, usually grows produce for the resort’s restaurants. Now, the farm team is harvesting fresh produce for staff care packages. It even sent a care package to the above-mentioned owner, John Kiesendahl. Knowing he would likely refuse the gesture, an accompanying note urged, “we have already found ways to get the farm’s bounty to our co-workers, so please allow us to keep you and your family happy and healthy as you have done for me and mine.”

Photo: The Lodge at Woodloch/Facebook

In Texas, Miraval Austin leveraged its locally grown produce for a pop-up, Miraval Community Kitchen, earlier this month. Colleagues were invited to gather at the resort’s Hilltop Crossings Kitchen to collect to-go packages of farm-fresh goods as a way to help alleviate financial strain. After San Francisco’s “shelter in place” mandate forced the Rosewood CordeValle to temporarily close, the hotel’s leadership team organized food donations from its kitchen to help area restaurants fulfill to-go orders in the community.

Photo: Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock

It’s heartening to see how small hotels are going above and beyond to help employees and the local community. Many wellness resorts are drawing on the resources they have in place to support the health of their employees as well.

For instance, the Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, an eco-resort located on the beaches of Riviera Maya, Mexico, is supporting its employees’ mental health via a complimentary subscription to the meditation app Headspace. During a time when fear and anxiety can further compromise our already uncertain health, the entire team at Andaz Mayakoba is able to use the subscription to practice mindfulness exercises, guided meditations, and sleep exercises to stay calm. Similarly, Trisara Resort in Phuket, Thailand, is partnering with mindfulness guru Ajarn Anamai to lead mindfulness and meditation sessions for their staff. It’s also brought in a doctor certified in Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine to conduct educational seminars for staff on holistic approaches to strengthen their immune system.

Photo: Six Senses Uluwatu/Facebook

The Six Senses Uluwatu resort in Bali is leaning into its sustainable ethos by offering staff educational classes designed to promote a healthier lifestyle and enhance personal hygiene during the pandemic. Each class is led by Zahrah Ratna Sari, the resort’s sustainability manager. Sari teaches a kombucha training to show staff how to make their own fermented tea drinks, as well as a hand sanitizer workshop where attendees can make their own hand sanitizer using 95-percent alcohol and the property’s home-grown aloe vera and mint.

Needless to say, these are unprecedented times for hotels, but unprecedented times create an opportunity for creative and surprising solutions. As new developments continue to unfold with regard to how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting the travel industry, we can continue looking to smaller hotels and wellness destinations for examples of how to take care of ourselves and each other.


More like this: Local craft distilleries are the new, unexpected heroes in the fight against COVID-19

The post Faced with no guests, these wellness hotels are taking care of their staff appeared first on Matador Network.

Van Gogh painting stolen

It’s no secret that most museums around the world are closed due to the coronavirus. That might be bad news for museumgoers, but for thieves and burglars, it represents a golden opportunity. Van Gogh’s “The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring” was stolen from the Singer Laren museum in Laren, Netherlands, early on Monday morning.

Photo: Singer Laren

Reportedly, thieves smashed a glass door in the museum and fled with the painting minutes later. Although an alarm was triggered, police arrived too late to apprehend them. As no staff was on the premises, the break-in was likely accomplished with greater ease than would normally be the case.

“We are deeply shocked, angry and saddened,” said Jan Rudolph de Lorm, the director of the Singer Laren museum. “A magnificent and poignant painting by one of our greatest artists has been taken from the community. It is terrible for the Groninger Museum and for Singer Laren, but above all for every one of us. Art exists to be shared, to enjoy, to inspire and offer comfort, particularly in times such as these. Art is vital to our culture.”

The painting had been on loan to the Singer Laren museum from the Groninger Museum, also in the Netherlands, who said in a statement, “The 1884 work, oil on paper on panel (marouflage) is the only painting by Van Gogh in the Groninger Museum’s collection. The Groninger Museum is shocked by the news. Because of the police investigation, it must decline further comment on the matter.”


More like this: Online classes that will keep you busy and inspired during isolation

The post Van Gogh masterpiece stolen from shuttered Dutch museum appeared first on Matador Network.

Puppies run free in Georgia aquarium

A few weeks ago, in the absence of visitors, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium released one of its rockhopper penguins to visit the rest of the animals in the facility, and the video of the event was a hit. Last week, Kate Mullaney and Catrina Kmieciak from the Atlanta Humane Society took things up a notch and brought two of their puppies to the currently closed Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

The two adorable puppies, Carmel and Odi, spent their day roaming freely through the halls, staring curiously at the marine life.

“No ruff days here,” said the Georgia Aquarium on Twitter, “just a couple of cute puppers from the @AtlantaHumane exploring our Ocean Voyager habitat.”

No ruff days here, just a couple of cute puppers from @AtlantaHumane exploring our Ocean Voyager habitat

Airbnb free housing for COVID-19

With hundreds of thousands of Airbnb hosts left without guests in the coming weeks, Airbnb is trying to put those empty accommodations to good use. The home-sharing company just announced that it will provide free accommodation for up to 100,000 COVID-19 responders around the world during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Airbnb’s website, “To help battle the coronavirus, Airbnb is partnering with our hosts to connect 100,000 healthcare providers, relief workers, and first responders with clean, convenient places to stay that allow them to be close to their patients — and safely distanced from their own families. We may be apart, but we’ll get through this together.”

Many COVID-19 responders have been forced to leave their homes to avoid infecting their families, adding an additional layer of distress to an already stressful situation. To help these workers find safe accommodation close to work, Airbnb is calling on hosts who can offer their place for free, and if they can’t, Airbnb will waive the fees. The company has also created a list of cleaning and safety protocols for hosts and responders in need of a place to follow scrupulously.

According to a tweet by Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky on March 27, the day after the initial announcement, 20,000 hosts had opened up their homes for the initiative.

Over 20,000 homes as of this morning thanks for our amazing hosts! https://t.co/3zovlL6Uys

— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) March 27, 2020

Similarly, in New York City, the Four Seasons Hotel is offering free rooms to medical workers.

If you’re a host who would like to participate, check out the guidelines. If you don’t have accommodations to provide, note that you can make a donation. Donations go to Airbnb’s partner organizations (International Rescue Committee, International Medical Corps, and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) that are supporting COVID-19 responders in need of a place to stay.


More like this: Local craft distilleries are the new, unexpected heroes in the fight against COVID-19

The post Airbnb is offering free housing to 100,000 COVID-19 responders appeared first on Matador Network.

Airbnb free housing for COVID-19

With hundreds of thousands of Airbnb hosts left without guests in the coming weeks, Airbnb is trying to put those empty accommodations to good use. The home-sharing company just announced that it will provide free accommodation for up to 100,000 COVID-19 responders around the world during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Airbnb’s website, “To help battle the coronavirus, Airbnb is partnering with our hosts to connect 100,000 healthcare providers, relief workers, and first responders with clean, convenient places to stay that allow them to be close to their patients — and safely distanced from their own families. We may be apart, but we’ll get through this together.”

Many COVID-19 responders have been forced to leave their homes to avoid infecting their families, adding an additional layer of distress to an already stressful situation. To help these workers find safe accommodation close to work, Airbnb is calling on hosts who can offer their place for free, and if they can’t, Airbnb will waive the fees. The company has also created a list of cleaning and safety protocols for hosts and responders in need of a place to follow scrupulously.

According to a tweet by Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky on March 27, the day after the initial announcement, 20,000 hosts had opened up their homes for the initiative.

Over 20,000 homes as of this morning thanks for our amazing hosts! https://t.co/3zovlL6Uys

— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) March 27, 2020

Similarly, in New York City, the Four Seasons Hotel is offering free rooms to medical workers.

If you’re a host who would like to participate, check out the guidelines. If you don’t have accommodations to provide, note that you can make a donation. Donations go to Airbnb’s partner organizations (International Rescue Committee, International Medical Corps, and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) that are supporting COVID-19 responders in need of a place to stay.


More like this: Local craft distilleries are the new, unexpected heroes in the fight against COVID-19

The post Airbnb is offering free housing to 100,000 COVID-19 responders appeared first on Matador Network.

Smithsonian Aerial America free eps

In a period where unnecessary travel is strongly discouraged, watching travel shows and movies can either be a breath of fresh air or absolute torture. If you can handle the FOMO, and are in desperate need of a dose of escapism, the Smithsonian Channel is releasing 68 episodes of Aerial America so you can be treated to views different from those outside your window.

Each 45-50 minute episode offers a birds-eye view of various locations around the country, touching upon all 50 states. The show focuses on natural wonders, cultural landmarks, and tourist attractions, and also highlights some of the country’s most significant sites.

All 68 episodes are now available for free and without the need to login on Smithsonian Channel Plus. And because shows can be more fun to watch in groups, the Smithsonian Channel will also roll out weekly online “watch parties” to make the viewing experience more interactive. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM ET, the Smithsonian Channel will be hosting state-specific trivia on its Facebook page to keep you engaged and curb the isolating effects of social distancing. For each trivia session, the full corresponding episode is uploaded on YouTube.


More like this: How to find remote green spaces near you to get out of the house

The post The Smithsonian Channel released 68 free ‘Aerial America’ episodes for a hefty dose of isolation escapism appeared first on Matador Network.

San Francisco drone footage

Due to the coronavirus, the liveliest cities around the world are looking like ghost towns these days — the usual hustle and bustle has been replaced by silence and empty streets.

In San Francisco, this strange atmosphere has been captured on camera thanks to a drone from Space Race Studio, which filmed the empty Columbus Avenue in North Beach, California Street downtown, closed storefronts in the Mission and the Haight, and a quiet Fisherman’s Wharf.

Counties across the San Francisco Bay Area have been shut down almost completely, save for essential services, since March 17 and until at least April 7, 2020.

Although eerie, the empty streets are indicative of a positive trend. It shows that people are taking social distancing measures seriously, protecting themselves and others from catching the virus.


More like this: Italian mayors are losing it and yelling at people for ignoring lockdown rules

The post Drone footage of San Francisco captures an eerie, empty city appeared first on Matador Network.

San Francisco drone footage

Due to the coronavirus, the liveliest cities around the world are looking like ghost towns these days — the usual hustle and bustle has been replaced by silence and empty streets.

In San Francisco, this strange atmosphere has been captured on camera thanks to a drone from Space Race Studio, which filmed the empty Columbus Avenue in North Beach, California Street downtown, closed storefronts in the Mission and the Haight, and a quiet Fisherman’s Wharf.

Counties across the San Francisco Bay Area have been shut down almost completely, save for essential services, since March 17 and until at least April 7, 2020.

Although eerie, the empty streets are indicative of a positive trend. It shows that people are taking social distancing measures seriously, protecting themselves and others from catching the virus.


More like this: Italian mayors are losing it and yelling at people for ignoring lockdown rules

The post Drone footage of San Francisco captures an eerie, empty city appeared first on Matador Network.

Bread recipes, cookbooks, classes

Turns out a pandemic is a crash course in pantry cooking. Between limiting our trips to the grocery store and finding staple ingredients stripped from the shelves when we get there, self-isolation has become one long, inescapable episode of Chopped for many of us. But even Ted Allen can only do so much with canned chickpeas and that condiment that’s started fermenting in the back of the fridge. Fortunately, that’s not the case if you’re down to just flour.

Bread, one of the world’s most ubiquitous and universal foods, only requires a few ingredients that the average household may already have on hand. With ample time and patience, all you need is flour, water, and a pinch of salt. Start adding in extras like store-bought yeast, butter or oil, eggs, and the flavorings of your choosing, and the number of bread recipes you can pull off in your kitchen almost makes the idea of being stuck at home bearable.

If ever there was a time to master the art of the yeasted dough, it’s now. Here’s how to get started, from choosing the perfect first recipe to fermenting your own mother dough.

Try a time-honored recipe.

Photo: PV productions/Shutterstock

As with any new hobby, one of the first bread-baking challenges you’ll face is figuring out where to begin. In matters of the kitchen, that generally means choosing a trial recipe. For me, it was the cult-classic country loaf from San Francisco’s Tartine Bakery on the advice of my uncle, the most seasoned amateur bread baker I know. I’ve since added James Beard Award winner Jim Lahey’s no-knead bread to my list of recommendations, as well. It’s less ambitious for novice bakers as it neither requires a homemade starter nor any kneading, although the tradeoff is that the dough takes at least 12 hours to ferment. Alternatively, if you own a Dutch oven, brand notwithstanding, Le Creuset’s classic loaf recipe is tried, true, and exceptionally approachable.

Go cookbook shopping.

It’s astounding how quickly you can blow through bread recipes when you’re stuck indoors. If the hobby takes off after you’ve experimented with random recipes, take the plunge and build out your library. Both Jim Lahey and Chad Roberston of Tartine Bakery have written cookbooks that expand on their techniques and philosophies. Peter Reinhart’s The Bread Baker’s Apprentice, now in its 15th edition, has been converting home bakers into bread masters since 2001. Ken Forkish’s Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast joined the ranks of go-to guides in 2012.

Unlike individual recipes, investing in cookbooks provides an opportunity to dive deep into the world of dough. Accordingly, it’s a chance to learn from your favorite bread bakers. Always secretly wanted to audition for The Great British Bake Off? Work your way through the pages of Paul Hollywood’s Bread. Dreaming of eating your way through a French boulangerie? Transform your kitchen into a cuisine with the Poilâne cookbook from Paris’ first family of baking. The possibilities are as endless as your virtual shopping cart.

Start a starter.

Photo: Michael Kudela/Shutterstock

Behind every great sourdough loaf is a starter, a live culture made from flour and water that relies on wild yeast for leavening and its characteristic tang. The idea is simple: Combine flour, water, and time to kickstart fermentation, then feed your starter fresh flour and water to keep it alive. Regularly fed, it can survive in the refrigerator indefinitely. Just ask San Francisco’s Boudin Bakery, whose legendary mother dough is made with a 170-year-old yeast culture.

Rather than rely on a print recipe, which can be unclear if you have no point of reference for the finished product, consider a YouTube tutorial for visual cues as to whether or not your pre-ferment is successful. Matador staffer Morgane Croissant swears by Patrick Ryan’s masterclass, which takes you through the sourdough-making process from starter to loaf. I’ve found success following Joshua Weissman’s lead, with a little help from Pro Home Cooks.

At the end of the day, the most important ingredient in making a starter is time, of which many of us have an abundance of these days. Nonetheless, those uninterested in waiting a week before popping their first loaf into the oven can also order sourdough starter online.

Take advantage of tutorials and forums.

Among the most comprehensive resources for artisan bread bakers anywhere on the internet is Breadtopia, a digital forum that has everything from video tutorials and blog posts to recipes and an online store. It’s a one-stop shop for advice on the basics, including starters and no-knead recipes, as well as a place to share tips and tricks with other bakers. The Fresh Loaf is a similar concept with an active forum, books, lessons, recipes, and more that’s been met with equally rave reviews. If it’s finding a community of like-minded hobbyists you’re after, consider looking into the subreddits Breadit, ArtisanBread, and Sourdough.

Sign up for an e-class.

Of all the loaf-saving courses you can find online, none appear to be as widely recommended as Peter Reinhart’s artisan bread-baking class hosted by Bluprint, formerly Craftsy. A James Beard Award winner and instructor at Johnson & Wales University, Reinhart breaks the bread-baking process down into 12 steps and shares his techniques over more than five hours of lessons, all of which are available for free until April 9. Bluprint also hosts other online bread-baking courses, including several from always-reliable King Arthur Flour. Online learning platform Udemy has a variety of courses on offer, as well.


More like this: This African country is a bread lover’s paradise

The post Now’s the time to get really good at baking bread appeared first on Matador Network.