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Capturing (and Kickstarting) the Art of the Baker

Bread-maker Mike Zakowski is soliciting funds to document the journey to the bread-making World Cup in Paris.

 

 

Mike Zakowski is a small celebrity around Sonoma, hawking fresh loaves and blistered flat bread pizzas out of a souped up Airstream at the Tuesday and Friday Farmers' Markets under the pseudonym 'the bejkr.'

Fewer know Zakowski as a member of the champion U.S. Baking Team who grabbed world cup title in the Coupe Du Monde De La Boulangerie in Paris 2010. Or as a baker who usurps processed ingredients and mechanics in favor of a hand-cranked mixer and wood burning oven.

But a local filmmaker is attempting to capture Zakowski's innovative bread-making process, and his journey to the 2012 bread making title, in a Kickstarter-funded documentary.

The self-proclaimed "experimental documentary" will follow Zakowski through the process of baking his highly touted loaves, and end with his journey to Paris to compete. The filmmakers plan to bring local growers and artisans into the production; their goal is "to follow the ingredients in a loaf of bread and observe the routines of everyday local farmers." 

So far, 48 backers have pledged almost $5,000 in funding via Kickstarter.  But that money covers less than a fifth of the $25,000 costs of the project, which include paying for a soundtrack, post-production costs, as well as travel costs, and equipment rentals. (Not to mention the hours of time involved splicing film and interviewing local bakers and farmers to complete the work.)

You can read more about the project, or donate, on the Kickstarter entry, or watch a mini-trailer at right.

Related Topics: Documentary, KickStarter, and bejkr

Dorothy

11:00 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

I am strictly a home baker and use ready ground flour and buy my yeast. I prefer home made bread to those from a bakery but after seeing the movie, I'd think that the "bejkrs" breads may be next on my tasting list.

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Suzanne Barbara

11:38 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Great video though I might have liked a little guidance about what he was doing in each step. In the end, his breads look fantastic though.

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Albert David

5:32 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

I am not a baker so I can't tell you about how he does it, but his bread is really good.

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Elora

6:19 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

I enjoyed the mini trailer. I am a baker from way back so I hope this kickstarter project does well!

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Richard

8:39 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012

It is amazing to think that the US Baking Team, with a member from Sonoma, won the World Title at a French competition! Congratulations.

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