BEST BAKERY RECIPE
Pane Sette Grani

Cristóbal Julio Guarchaj
Head Baker
Grandaisy Bakery
73 Sullivan Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 334-9435

About Cristóbal Julio Guarchaj
As a boy in Guatemala, Cristóbal watched his father, a baker, mill wheat using ancient techniques to pulverize grain into flour. But rather than follow in his father's footsteps, Cristobal instead mastered the intricate Mayan craft of fabric weaving called treadle (or foot loom), a seemingly unrelated skill that provided the invaluable training for his hands that would later aid him in his future calling in America. At the age of 18, as a recent immigrant, he found his life coming full circle when he entered the world of baking.

As an apprentice for Jim Lahey, executive chef/owner of Sullivan St Bakery, Cristobal rose to become Lahey's top baking assistant, despite his young age and limited English. In 2006, with the support of owner Monica Von Thun Calderon, Julio ventured out on his own to become head baker of Grandaisy Bakery. He developed a new line of brioche breads as well as a popular seven-grain bread. In his new role, Cristobal has access to the best modern equipment, but his passion and skill remain deeply rooted in the tradition and simplicity of old-fashioned artisan baking. Recently, Grandaisy earned the number one rating for bread in Zagat's 2008 New York City Gourmet Shopping & Entertaining guide.

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2.5 kilograms whole wheat flour
2.5 kilograms multi-grain mix*
5 kilograms biga (natural starter)
4.5 liters water
500 grams honey
100 grams salt
1 kilogram toasted pumpkin seeds
1 kilogram toasted sunflower seeds

Using an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, mix together whole wheat flour, multi-grain mix, biga, water, and honey for six minutes at low speed, then 7 minutes at high speed. Add salt and continue mixing at high speed for 5 minutes; add seeds and mix for 3 minutes more. Ferment for 3 hours then proof for 2 hours. Shape and bake loaves in a preheated 480 °F oven for 30 minutes.

* Grandaisy Bakery's multi-grain mix contains 100% organic cracked wheat, oak flakes, rye chops, hulled millet, corn grits, spelt, and flax seeds.

  back to the 2008 Golden Scoop Awards