Hi folks!
I hope all of you had an outstanding and delicious holiday season/New Year. Personally, I'm eating more salads and drinking plenty of veggie juice in an attempt to stay snappy in the new year, but as a baker I can't help but ogle my new cookbooks and dream of pastries!
Unfortunately, The Little Blue Baking Company will not be in operation the next few months. For some very complex family-related reasons, I will be taking something of a sabbatical. This past year has proven to be an incredible one. The markets have been so much fun, and I've met many fabulous people. I have been overwhelmed by Knoxville's kind and gracious spirit and the lovely people within it. What started out as an experiment became a thriving small business, and I have begun to find my voice as a baker.
I want to apologize for the sudden nature of this change in plans. I had every intention of supplying The Local in Alcoa and Tea At the Gallery in Bearden with my pastries and baked goods, and I still highly recommend that you check out these wonderful local businesses. I will be doing some consulting with Tea At the Gallery for their menu, and they're changing things up for the better--if you've never experienced a real tea service, you should check them out.
The Local will be offering local meats and products by many local artisans--it's an exciting business venture and one that needs community support to survive, so please support Shawn Banks and the producers supplying him with fine food goods. Check out the Facebook page for more info.
Finally, while I am not baking on a large scale right now, I am open to special orders. If any of you would like to order some of the pastries or baked goods you've come to know and love, give me a holler at petitbleu88 at gmail dot com. There will be a minimum for ordering (i.e. I can't just make two croissants!), but most of my baked goods freeze very well.
Thank you so much for your incredible support this year. I hope you all know just how much I appreciate you--you've given me the confidence and experience to progress with my business in whatever form it may take. I wish you all the best.
xoxo
meg
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Holiday Market 12/22/12
The last farmer's market is upon us, folks! It promises to be a chilly but sunny day, so bundle up, grab a hot cup of coffee, and come out in force to support your local farmers, bakers, and artisans on our last market of the season.
I will be set up until 3 p.m., as staying until 7 on a frosty day is just not my thing, especially as I am behind on Christmas preparations. However, I will have the superb pastries you have come to know and love. I will be set up in a different spot, though. Charlotte has me at the end of Market Street this week, towards the corner of Market and Clinch.
Just a reminder--I will be selling my baked goods and pastries at two locations over the winter. Tea At the Gallery is a calm, civilized space for tea-lovers on Kingston Pike in Bearden, and they have been very accommodating and gracious. I should have breakfast items for sale there starting the second week in January, and hopefully some items on their menu as well.
The Local is a new butcher shop opening in on Calderwood Road (across from the Shrimp Dock) in Alcoa that will feature products from local farmers and producers. I will have croissants, granola, shortbreads, loaves of bread, and much more for sale there starting mid-January. Please check out this space--it's a fledgling business with a lot of promise, but it needs your support if it is to thrive.
Finally, it is time for me to announce my baked offerings for the last market. See you there!
-Croissants (plain, chocolate, almond, and ham and cheese)--$3, $4, and $5
-Pumpkin White Chocolate Scones--$3
-Cranberry Orange Scones--$3
-Pomegranate Almond Tarts--$5
-Quiche With Local Greens and Butternut Squash--$5
-*Dark Sticky Ginger Cakes--$5
-*Bourbon-Soaked Fruit Cakes--$12
-Earl Grey Truffles--$1 apiece
-Ginger Liqueur Truffles--$1 apiece
-*Homemade Herbal Bitters--$3/bottle
-*Mulling Spices--$2/bag
-*Bakers' Bundles--$12 (vanilla extract, vanilla sugar, and vanilla beans)
-*Caramel Pumpkin Seed Brittle--$3/bag
-*Seeded Granola--$7/bag
-*Chocolate Rosewater Shortbreads--$2/bag
-*Spiced Caramels--$3/bag
*These items make great last-minute gifts or stocking stuffers!
I will be set up until 3 p.m., as staying until 7 on a frosty day is just not my thing, especially as I am behind on Christmas preparations. However, I will have the superb pastries you have come to know and love. I will be set up in a different spot, though. Charlotte has me at the end of Market Street this week, towards the corner of Market and Clinch.
Just a reminder--I will be selling my baked goods and pastries at two locations over the winter. Tea At the Gallery is a calm, civilized space for tea-lovers on Kingston Pike in Bearden, and they have been very accommodating and gracious. I should have breakfast items for sale there starting the second week in January, and hopefully some items on their menu as well.
The Local is a new butcher shop opening in on Calderwood Road (across from the Shrimp Dock) in Alcoa that will feature products from local farmers and producers. I will have croissants, granola, shortbreads, loaves of bread, and much more for sale there starting mid-January. Please check out this space--it's a fledgling business with a lot of promise, but it needs your support if it is to thrive.
Finally, it is time for me to announce my baked offerings for the last market. See you there!
-Croissants (plain, chocolate, almond, and ham and cheese)--$3, $4, and $5
-Pumpkin White Chocolate Scones--$3
-Cranberry Orange Scones--$3
-Pomegranate Almond Tarts--$5
-Quiche With Local Greens and Butternut Squash--$5
-*Dark Sticky Ginger Cakes--$5
-*Bourbon-Soaked Fruit Cakes--$12
-Earl Grey Truffles--$1 apiece
-Ginger Liqueur Truffles--$1 apiece
-*Homemade Herbal Bitters--$3/bottle
-*Mulling Spices--$2/bag
-*Bakers' Bundles--$12 (vanilla extract, vanilla sugar, and vanilla beans)
-*Caramel Pumpkin Seed Brittle--$3/bag
-*Seeded Granola--$7/bag
-*Chocolate Rosewater Shortbreads--$2/bag
-*Spiced Caramels--$3/bag
*These items make great last-minute gifts or stocking stuffers!
Friday, December 14, 2012
Holiday Market 12/15/12
Just a quick update this a.m. before I head off to start baking! Hope to see everyone tomorrow.
-Fig and Walnut Scones--$3
-BLT Scones (Benton's bacon, garden greens, and roasted tomatoes)--$3
-Croissants (Plain, chocolate, ham and cheese, and almond)--$3, $4, and $5
-Black Spicy Ginger Cakes--$5
-Cranberry-Almond Tarts--$5
-Salted Caramel and Chocolate Tarts--$5
-Quiche With Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Carrots--$5
-Dark Rye Loaves--$6
-Extra Tangy Lemon Bars--$3
-Smoked Tea Truffles--$1/ea.
-Orange-Scented Truffles--$1/ea.
-Boozy Fruit Cakes--$12
-Instant Chai Tea Mix--$2
-Instant Cocoa Mix--$2
-Mulling Spice Bundles--$2
-Bakers' Bundles--$12
-Bartenders' Bundles--$12
-Baklava--$1.50/piece
-Pumpkin Seed Brittle--$3/4 oz
-Seeded Granola--$7/12 oz
-Mocha Nib Shortbread With Sea Salt--$2/bag
-Fig and Walnut Scones--$3
-BLT Scones (Benton's bacon, garden greens, and roasted tomatoes)--$3
-Croissants (Plain, chocolate, ham and cheese, and almond)--$3, $4, and $5
-Black Spicy Ginger Cakes--$5
-Cranberry-Almond Tarts--$5
-Salted Caramel and Chocolate Tarts--$5
-Quiche With Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Carrots--$5
-Dark Rye Loaves--$6
-Extra Tangy Lemon Bars--$3
-Smoked Tea Truffles--$1/ea.
-Orange-Scented Truffles--$1/ea.
-Boozy Fruit Cakes--$12
-Instant Chai Tea Mix--$2
-Instant Cocoa Mix--$2
-Mulling Spice Bundles--$2
-Bakers' Bundles--$12
-Bartenders' Bundles--$12
-Baklava--$1.50/piece
-Pumpkin Seed Brittle--$3/4 oz
-Seeded Granola--$7/12 oz
-Mocha Nib Shortbread With Sea Salt--$2/bag
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Holiday Market 12/8/12
When I first wrote up a business plan for Little Blue, I was, as I usually am, idealistic. I wanted to create unique, small-batch baked goods that varied with the seasons. I wanted to use as many local and organic ingredients as possible. I wanted to focus on high-quality, French-style pastries with flair.
Typically, my idealism is quelled somewhat when it meets the cold, hard streets of reality, and I am forced to compromise. However, now that the year is drawing to a close, I am happy to say that not only have I resisted compromise with Little Blue, I have managed to improve my products without having to raise prices.
I say this not to brag, but because it is a legitimate concern of both consumers and business owners. How do you provide consistently superior service and products at a reasonable price when seemingly everyone is doing some belt-tightening? I don't know that I have a clear answer to that. I do know that ingenuity and flexibility are important, as are quality and public relations.
Over the course of the year, I have managed to gather something of a following. A loyal group of folks who come back week after week and who provide me with valuable feedback and the best pep talks I've ever been given. Let's face it. Long days spent by yourself, on your feet, in a kitchen can leave you drained and somewhat pessimistic. Saturdays at the market, however, reaffirm what I set out to do and what I continue to do--disseminate my passion for baking, for delicious and nourishing foods, and for people. Thank you so much for allowing me to do that and for supporting me not only with your dollar but also with your kind words and weekly patronage.
Now for the goods. It's a big week.
-Pumpkin Ginger Scones--$3
-Bacon and Blue Cheese Scones--$3
-Croissants (plain, chocolate, ham and cheese, almond-filled)--$3, $4, and $5
-Quiche With Greens and Potatoes--$5
-Mock Mincemeat Tarts (filling made with Honeycrisp apples, golden raisins, candied orange peel, and apple cider)--$5
-Fresh Fruit Tarts With Pastry Cream Filling--$5
-Seeded Granola--$7/12 oz
-Toasted Rooibos and Vanilla Shortbreads--$2/bag
-Pumpkin Seed Brittle--$3/bag
-Light and Dark Fruitcakes--$12 (the light fruitcakes contain candied orange peel, golden raisins, almonds, toasted coconut, and dried papaya and are soaked in bourbon; the dark fruitcakes contain figs, dates, dried plums, raisins, currants, hazelnuts, and walnuts and are soaked in rum)
-Walnut Baklava--$1/square
-Savory Crackers (Walnut and Blue Cheese, Cheddar-Cornmeal-Smoked Paprika, or Seeded)--$2/bag
-Earl Grey Truffles--$1 apiece
-Grown-Up Party Mix--$5/8 ounces
-Ginger-Oat Scone Mix--$4
-Bartenders' Bundles (4 flavors of bitters)--$10
-Bakers' Bundles (double-strength vanilla extract, vanilla sugar, and vanilla beans)--$12
-Mulling Spices--$2
-Instant Chai Latte Mix--$2/bag
-Bourbon-Flavored Marshmallows--$1/bag
-Instant Hot Cocoa Mix and Homemade Marshmallow--$2.50
Typically, my idealism is quelled somewhat when it meets the cold, hard streets of reality, and I am forced to compromise. However, now that the year is drawing to a close, I am happy to say that not only have I resisted compromise with Little Blue, I have managed to improve my products without having to raise prices.
I say this not to brag, but because it is a legitimate concern of both consumers and business owners. How do you provide consistently superior service and products at a reasonable price when seemingly everyone is doing some belt-tightening? I don't know that I have a clear answer to that. I do know that ingenuity and flexibility are important, as are quality and public relations.
Over the course of the year, I have managed to gather something of a following. A loyal group of folks who come back week after week and who provide me with valuable feedback and the best pep talks I've ever been given. Let's face it. Long days spent by yourself, on your feet, in a kitchen can leave you drained and somewhat pessimistic. Saturdays at the market, however, reaffirm what I set out to do and what I continue to do--disseminate my passion for baking, for delicious and nourishing foods, and for people. Thank you so much for allowing me to do that and for supporting me not only with your dollar but also with your kind words and weekly patronage.
Now for the goods. It's a big week.
-Pumpkin Ginger Scones--$3
-Bacon and Blue Cheese Scones--$3
-Croissants (plain, chocolate, ham and cheese, almond-filled)--$3, $4, and $5
-Quiche With Greens and Potatoes--$5
-Mock Mincemeat Tarts (filling made with Honeycrisp apples, golden raisins, candied orange peel, and apple cider)--$5
-Fresh Fruit Tarts With Pastry Cream Filling--$5
-Seeded Granola--$7/12 oz
-Toasted Rooibos and Vanilla Shortbreads--$2/bag
-Pumpkin Seed Brittle--$3/bag
-Light and Dark Fruitcakes--$12 (the light fruitcakes contain candied orange peel, golden raisins, almonds, toasted coconut, and dried papaya and are soaked in bourbon; the dark fruitcakes contain figs, dates, dried plums, raisins, currants, hazelnuts, and walnuts and are soaked in rum)
-Walnut Baklava--$1/square
-Savory Crackers (Walnut and Blue Cheese, Cheddar-Cornmeal-Smoked Paprika, or Seeded)--$2/bag
-Earl Grey Truffles--$1 apiece
-Grown-Up Party Mix--$5/8 ounces
-Ginger-Oat Scone Mix--$4
-Bartenders' Bundles (4 flavors of bitters)--$10
-Bakers' Bundles (double-strength vanilla extract, vanilla sugar, and vanilla beans)--$12
-Mulling Spices--$2
-Instant Chai Latte Mix--$2/bag
-Bourbon-Flavored Marshmallows--$1/bag
-Instant Hot Cocoa Mix and Homemade Marshmallow--$2.50
Friday, November 30, 2012
Market Square Holiday Market 12/1/12
The holiday markets are finally here! I'll be featuring some holiday-exclusive items at my booth these last four weeks of market, including lots of tasty gifts for those on your list. I will also have order forms available for those of you who would like to order items in quantity for holiday office parties, family get-togethers, gift-giving en masse, etc. You do the celebrating and let me do the baking!
Also, some very exciting news for Little Blue...I finally found a good kitchen space to work in and a great place to sell my baked goods over the winter. Tea At the Gallery is a really sweet little space in Bearden (on Kingston Pike, in the same shopping center as the Fresh Market) run by a coterie of lovely ladies. They have a huge selection of loose leaf teas, and they serve a full tea service as well as light lunches. They have very graciously offered me the use of their kitchen and will be carrying some of my baked goods through the winter (and beyond). Right now, the only items I have for sale there are my shortbreads and granola (slightly more expensive than at market, as I'm selling on consignment), but there will be more very soon. I'll keep you in the loop.
I will also be selling some of my baked goods at a new little butcher shop in Alcoa called The Local. It will be opening in January and will feature, as you might expect, lots of high-quality meat butchered by a professional, but also locally-made artisanal products by people like me! I know Shawn (owner of The Local) has talked to Jim Smith (hot sauce guru that I'm sure a lot of you know from the market) about selling his goods there as well, so you might think about making a trip down Alcoa way in 2013 to help support this fledgling business (it's located on Calderwood St., right across from the Shrimp Dock).
Now for this week's eats and treats.
Little Blue Hot Cocoa Mix and Homemade Marshmallows--$3/bag (if you've never had homemade marshmallows before, you must try them--like eating a fudgy cloud)
Baker's Bundle (a wooden berry basket lined with burlap and filled with an 8-ounce bottle of my double-strength vanilla extract, a bag of vanilla sugar, and 3 Tahitian vanilla beans)--$12
Bartender's Bundle (a berry basket lined with burlap and filled with 4 different flavors of my homemade bitters)--$10
Party Mix (think grown-up Chex Mix--contains mixed nuts, pumpkin seeds, pretzels, puffed rice, puffed sorghum, and my homemade spice blend)--$7/12 oz
Boozy Fruit Cakes (the real deal, folks--a fruit cake packed with walnuts, figs, dates, raisins, dried plums, cherries, and candied orange peel, soaked in spiced rum and wrapped in rum-soaked cheesecloth--these have been aged for 4 weeks to improve their flavor and can be kept until Christmas and beyond, if you choose)--$12 for a 1-pound loaf
Seeded Granola--$7/12 oz
Pumpkin Seed Brittle--$3/4 oz
Earl Grey Shortbreads--$2/bag
Lemon Meringue Tartlets (homemade all-butter tart shells filled with my extra-tart lemon curd and topped with a cloud of toasted meringue)--$5
Kale and Parmesan Scones--$3 (local kale)
Cranberry-White Chocolate Scones--$3
Leek and Sweet Potato Quiches--$5 (local sweet potatoes)
Croissants (plain, chocolate, ham and cheese, and almond)--$3, $4, and $5
I will also have order forms available for any of you who would like to place a holiday order.
Looking forward to seeing you all! The weather should be most lovely.
Also, some very exciting news for Little Blue...I finally found a good kitchen space to work in and a great place to sell my baked goods over the winter. Tea At the Gallery is a really sweet little space in Bearden (on Kingston Pike, in the same shopping center as the Fresh Market) run by a coterie of lovely ladies. They have a huge selection of loose leaf teas, and they serve a full tea service as well as light lunches. They have very graciously offered me the use of their kitchen and will be carrying some of my baked goods through the winter (and beyond). Right now, the only items I have for sale there are my shortbreads and granola (slightly more expensive than at market, as I'm selling on consignment), but there will be more very soon. I'll keep you in the loop.
I will also be selling some of my baked goods at a new little butcher shop in Alcoa called The Local. It will be opening in January and will feature, as you might expect, lots of high-quality meat butchered by a professional, but also locally-made artisanal products by people like me! I know Shawn (owner of The Local) has talked to Jim Smith (hot sauce guru that I'm sure a lot of you know from the market) about selling his goods there as well, so you might think about making a trip down Alcoa way in 2013 to help support this fledgling business (it's located on Calderwood St., right across from the Shrimp Dock).
Now for this week's eats and treats.
Little Blue Hot Cocoa Mix and Homemade Marshmallows--$3/bag (if you've never had homemade marshmallows before, you must try them--like eating a fudgy cloud)
Baker's Bundle (a wooden berry basket lined with burlap and filled with an 8-ounce bottle of my double-strength vanilla extract, a bag of vanilla sugar, and 3 Tahitian vanilla beans)--$12
Bartender's Bundle (a berry basket lined with burlap and filled with 4 different flavors of my homemade bitters)--$10
Party Mix (think grown-up Chex Mix--contains mixed nuts, pumpkin seeds, pretzels, puffed rice, puffed sorghum, and my homemade spice blend)--$7/12 oz
Boozy Fruit Cakes (the real deal, folks--a fruit cake packed with walnuts, figs, dates, raisins, dried plums, cherries, and candied orange peel, soaked in spiced rum and wrapped in rum-soaked cheesecloth--these have been aged for 4 weeks to improve their flavor and can be kept until Christmas and beyond, if you choose)--$12 for a 1-pound loaf
Seeded Granola--$7/12 oz
Pumpkin Seed Brittle--$3/4 oz
Earl Grey Shortbreads--$2/bag
Lemon Meringue Tartlets (homemade all-butter tart shells filled with my extra-tart lemon curd and topped with a cloud of toasted meringue)--$5
Kale and Parmesan Scones--$3 (local kale)
Cranberry-White Chocolate Scones--$3
Leek and Sweet Potato Quiches--$5 (local sweet potatoes)
Croissants (plain, chocolate, ham and cheese, and almond)--$3, $4, and $5
I will also have order forms available for any of you who would like to place a holiday order.
Looking forward to seeing you all! The weather should be most lovely.
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