On Friday morning, the Australian Tax department sent me a small tax refund for the last financial year. That was a good thing.
On Friday afternoon, the lovely Melissa from Chefs’ Warehouse rang and said, “Celia, the bannetons are here.” That was a very good and serendipitous thing!
So I drove into Surry Hills and happily handed over my refund in exchange for these gorgeous proofing baskets. If you’re a breadbaker in Sydney, race in as soon as possible – they have a wide range of sizes available, at about half the price I’ve seen them for anywhere else!
These 1kg round bannetons (not 500g as I originally thought!) were just $19.95 each (retail price, if you’re in the trade, there’s an extra 25% discount). They’re imported from Europe and made from cane. There were larger ones for a few dollars more, but this size is the closest to the plastic baskets I’m using at the moment.
The oval bannetons, 500g sized, were a tiny $18.95 each. They’re sturdy and well assembled…
I was so excited with these that I had to show them to you straight away – I haven’t even had a chance to bake in them yet. If you need any more information about sizes or pricing, do give Chef’s Warehouse a call – they really are the nicest people to deal with!
. . . . .
Chefs’ Warehouse
111-115 Albion St
Surry Hills NSW 2010
(02) 9211 4555
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I have proving basket envy! The amount of bread that you make will pay for these in no time.
Sally, even better, because I used my tax refund, in my own head, they’re already paid for! ;-)
I must have one or two of these. How to get them to the US? (or me to them??)
Scrambled, I’m sure there’s lots of places to buy them in the US. Although far be it for me to talk you out of a visit to Australia if you’re so inclined.. ;-)
Wonderful news – money you weren’t expecting in exchange for these bannetons sounds a bargain. They look to be really nice ones, not that I’m an expert. Look forward to seeing how you get on with them. Enjoyed Big Boy’s comforting Tuesday comment too ;-)
Choc, exactly! The timing was so serendipitous! And aaah, Big Boy, he’s such a treasure, isn’t he? All my men are very loving, but not one of them will mollycoddle… ;-)
Look at at those make me wanna bake something :)
They look so nice :)
Thanks Tes! They’re almost too pretty to use! :)
Yay!!! Now that is super exciting :-)
Brydie, I was so excited that I nearly rang you to tell you! They have about a dozen different sizes!
Stripey bread time! Have fun!
Thanks darling, you know I will! I’m going to check out your recipes to try and figure out hydration etc – I’m not sure how my very wet dough will cope with the bannetons!
Hmm, I wonder if they do phone sales?
Don’t know, A, sorry, but they are really very nice, so do ring and ask!
I looove those baskets – I just know if I had one I would be a better bread baker!! Even if I wasn’t, I would get such pleasure from owning one. About a year ago I was in Sydney and visited Chef’s Warehouse. I had a small giggle to myself because I was whiffling up and down the aisles with bullseye-eyes going round in whizzing circles, wanting it all, breathing it all in.
Jan, I know exactly what you mean, there’s always so much to see there, and often things you just can’t find anywhere else! :)
They look gorgeous – very sensible use of Tax refund $$$.
I adore Chef’s Warehouse – fantastic treasure trove of fabby stuff at sensational prices!!
Thanks Anne! I thought it was good use of the tax refund too, otherwise it was just going to be eaten by the latest electricity bill! :)
I’ve never used one of these. Mind you I don’t make bread all that often. I would only eat it.
Deb, that’s the problem for all of us, the bread is very moreish! :)
Oh, I’m SO looking forward to seeing what you create with these bannetons, Celia! I just love the look of a dark crust with flour rings..*bliss* Thanks for sharing :)
PS Seeds on their way this week if I get organised!
Thanks Chris! I’m quite excited about them too! :)
I havent seen baskets like that before Celia, they look great! I am hoping to get more into baking bread when I am settled back across the ocean so may look into a set or two of bannetons.
:-) Mandy
Mandy, the baskets are commonly used by the artisan bakers for their sourdough loaves – leaves the pretty ring markings on the crust of the bread. Look forward to seeing your future bread baking! :)
Celia! So I’m guessing that these are baskets that you let your dough rise in. Aren’t they hard to clean? I’ve never heard of a banneton. Do dish!
Maz.
PS We harvested a huge pile of carrots today and the hub said, “You have to send a picture of these to Celia. :-)
Maz, as I mentioned to Mandy, the baskets are used to prove the bread in – they’re dusted first with rye flour which leaves a ringed impression on the finished loaves. Very cool stuff. And I really don’t know whether or not they will be hard to clean – I have a little bit of angst over that.
Would love to see the carrots! :)
They’re beautiful aren’t they.
I’ve seen Zeb’s selection but not bought any myself, thinking I’ll get one if I see one.
But they’re just not in the cookery shops here.
I really should treat myself.
Gill, you can buy them in the UK from Bakery Bits online store – they have a really nice collection. I really think you should treat yourself, you deserve it! x
What a terrific piece of luck! This was obviously meant to be. Make sure you put up a photo of the bread you bake next please!
Becca, thank you! Will do, fingers crossed it works! :)
Hi Celia, I have to say i’ve become a bit obsessed with your site ever since Ellen gave it to me. Never one to cook (especially sweet things!) this weekend i’ve baked the white choc cake (as cupcakes to freeze for kids lunches), choc chip cookies and the Semolina Buns. My husband thinks my inner Martha Stewart is coming out (very belated after 13 years of marriage!). Thank you so much for such a light, refeshing site. Tomorrow i’m going to make the raspberry friands (I did say obsessed didn’t I?).
Hi Chris, thanks for the lovely comment! So glad you’re enjoying the blog! The white chocolate cake is Big Boy’s all time favourite – thanks for the reminder, as I haven’t made it for him in ages! :)
I’ve finally decided that these are my next buy. Nothing else will meet my NEED to make my bread look more artisan and less like an amateur home baker. I can shape bread, but it doesn’t have THAT look. Yours are beautiful.
And Joanna’s are so great looking- yes, I am going to buy these next.
Heidi, that’s exactly the point I got to! I finally decided to invest in them. :)
How exciting and sounds like you were meant to have them. I can’t wait to see what you bake!
Claire, hopefully I’ll have an acceptable loaf to show you all soon! :)
enjoy using them! I have a little selection, and they are so great!
Thanks Chocveg! I’m pretty excited.. :)
Hello Dear Celia, Wow – what a bargain. Nice one. I’m sure you will have lots of fun with them. They work great dusted with rice flour (or 50-50 blend). Rye is good as well if you want rings with that colour tone. I’ve often used them and my goto sourdough is in the high seventies. Love your postings as always. Best wishes, Craig
Craig, bless you! :) You’ve just answered all my questions! Hope it’s all going well – can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to! x
Hi Celia, I guess I will have to make a trip to Surry Hills very soon. My oven temp seems to be about 10 degrees under but I think it can get hot enough! I haven’t had a chance to bake yet but maybe this week. Fingers and toes tossed.
Keri, 10 degrees doesn’t seem much – I think it’s definitely worth trying new yeast! Look forward to hearing how you go! :)
These are darling… do you know where in Europe they are imported from, please? I can’t resist crockery and much of what I buy is from is from various (French) depot de vent’s which are huge house clearance depots which are stuffed full of bargain treasures.
Fiona, I don’t know exactly where they’re from, but they are very gorgeous! I don’t believe they’re French or German though – I’ve seen some of those around, and they cost about three times as much! :)
Awesome use of tax refund C. Very Jealous
I’ve done a quick google search and they seem popular in US but I shall scour some of the UK kitchen shops when I’m next there. Thank you!
Dave, it was either bannetons or a small dent on the electricity bill – wasn’t hard decision to make..hahaha
Fiona, they’re available in the UK online from Bakery Bits – his prices seem very reasonable too!
Thank you Celia – I have their page up right now and I’ll have to let you know how I get on… :-)
I took a friend to Chef’s Warehouse yesterday and very proudly (and I am sorry to say, with a touch of smugness!) pointed out they weren’t just pretty baskets, but were in fact bannetons. Lots of things to be had – we were buying stuff for our school canteen (spent hundreds) – and all because I firstly read about them on your blog!!! But we got great stuff at really sensational prices.
Anne, good for you! It must have been nice buying up – I’d love to have a good reason to spend big at Chefs’ (“I really want it..” rarely persuades my Pete.. ;-)).