Welcome to Baker of Seville

Endorsements from well respected organizations are very rewarding.  I am thrilled to add this most recent one from such a prestigious publication as Food & Wine.

THANKS

Here is the note I recently received the following note from Food & Wine. 

Just in case you missed it, we recently updated our list of top bread baking tools and Baker of Seville was featured among the best! We independently research, test, review, and recommend only the best bread baking tools and other products. Our review process includes rigorous testing standards and processes in our three labs across the country. We utilize our extensive network of professional cooks and equipment reviewers so we know we’re recommending only the best. 

Go have a look at what they have to say.

 https://www.foodandwine.com/cooking-techniques/baking/bread-baking-tools
 

Who doesn't like fresh, homemade Sourdough Bread?  The smell alone is worth the effort.

My baking quest all started when a friend gave me some sourdough starter.  The thought of crusty baguettes and beautiful bread boules was very enticing.  I mean, how hard could it be?  (Harder than I thought, that's for sure)

I had various tools that could be used for baking. I had an old bread maker with a dough setting, a dutch oven (from my sons boy scout days)  and a bench scraper.  Certainly enough to get me started.

I found some great sites on the internet and started learning the basics.

My first loaves were actually edible.  Not great, but not bad either.  I was hooked.

Gradually the bread improved.  My dough handling techniques got better and I felt more comfortable working with higher hydration dough.  This allowed me to play with more recipes.  

It was time to get some new toys (i e  bread baking tools) 

That's when I purchased my first Lame. It was the standard, wood handle (plastic actually) type Lame with the blade that skewers on the metal stick.  I wont use any names, but you know them.  There are many out there and all have  basically the same pathetic design.

I absolutely hated it.  Scoring is hard enough.  It's even worse when the blade shifts or slides off.  I ultimately just held the blade in my fingers.

How could such a simple tool be so poorly designed?  And even worse, how could they ALL be the same.? There were a few that had  secure blades but they were mostly plastic.  Or very pretty and expensive wood lames with only one side of the blade accessible.  I knew I didn't want plastic or wood. 

Why had NO ONE made a better lame in all of these years?

So, I set out to design my own.  Now, just so you know, I don't consider myself an inventor by any stretch.

But I saw this as a challenge.

I started with the criteria that I wanted in a lame.

First and foremost, the blade had to be secure and easily, quickly and safely changeable. And of course, utilize a standard double edge blade.

It had to be solid stainless steel and built to last forever.  No wood or plastic.

I wanted it to be easily cleaned and sanitized.

And lastly, it needed a good quality storage box for protection and safety.

Oh, and it had to be beautiful.

With that criteria in mind, I came up with a conceptual design and made a prototype.  I was off and running.   

I searched for a while and finally found a cutlery manufacturer that specialized in stainless steel that was willing to work with me.   I can tell you, it is not easy to explain to someone why you want to build a tool to hold a razor blade that you don't intend to shave with.

Anyway, we took my initial design prototype and my design criteria and started tweaking for ergonomics, blade stabilization/attachment and manufacturing constraints.

After a couple of iterations, and the better part of a year, I had my first order in hand.  

It met all of my criteria.  I could not have been happier.

And that's how I went from a aspiring home bread maker to a Lame Designer and seller.

(yes, I am a Lame salesman and I've heard all the bad jokes from my friends)

I honestly do feel that this  is the best designed and built lame on the market today.

I am confident that you will feel the same.

Pete - Designer

Baker of Seville