Baker Bleu - an evening in conversation with baker Mike Russell

Tickets

In Melbourne, Baker Bleu is a byword for delicious real bread. Rich with texture, mouthfeel, beautiful crumb and delicious ingredients, it is sought after all over town. Ever since Mike & Mia opened their tiny whole-in-a-wall bakery in Elsternwick in 2016, people have been making pilgrimages (and queues) for authentic hand-made, dense rustic breads with deep flavour such as their Boule, Emmer, Khorasan Country Loaf and Country Wheel, and delicious pastries.

Fast forward eight years and Baker Bleu is now an iconic bakery in both Melbourne and Sydney, producing some 40,000 handmade breads and pastries a week. Although Mike is not one to stop and take a breath, somehow he has managed to steal enough minutes to write Baker Bleu a generous cookbook and the story of the bakery's extraordinary success. There are over 70 delicious, inventive recipes for anyone who wants to emulate the best bread and Roman-style sourdough pizza bases in Melbourne; or are sandwich fiends; or who crave the bakery's now cultish vegan challah.

Baker Bleu also tells the story of the birth of a micro bakery that outgrew its premises and resources almost from day one, pandemics and other challenges not withstanding. Mike Russell spent his twenties seeking that thing that would make him tick. Advertising wasn't it. Nor many other attempted careers. At 25 Mike discovered bread, real bread, and so was born a passion, an obsession and an amazing bakery. Nicknamed 'Blue' as a kid, naturally the bakery was called 'Baker Bleu'.

This will be a wonderful event, inspriring for aspiring bakers and artisanal producers but also for the home baker or even those of us who just love good real bread.

As usual we will be cooking from the book and serving up tastes.

Please join us on Tuesday 26th March for an insight into the cult bread bakery that is Baker Blue up close and personal with Mike Russell, 'baker bleu'.

Tickets are limited.

FAQs

I can't attend an event, can I buy/pre-order a signed copy of the book?

Yes. Copies will be available for signing and purchase on the night. If you can't attend, we can organise to post signed and personalised copies to you.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

If you haven't been to one of our events for a while, please note we have moved to the northern side of the Queen Victoria Market. Our new address is 115-121 Victoria Street (next to A Shed)

The 19, 20, 57 (Elizabeth St)and 55 (William & Peel St) trams go past the Queen Victoria Market and run frequently. We are in the Free Tram Zone and are a short 50m walk from the Elizabeth St Queen Victoria Market stop and the Peel St Queen Victoria Market stop. Melbourne Central and Flagstaff railway stations are two blocks away.

If driving, there is plenty of metered parking on Queen St near the corner of Victoria St. There is also limited parking on Victoria Street outside the store.