Mike Sweetman's Profile

Two markets this Saturday 18th May 2013

Mam (Maureen) and Dad (Roger) are covering for us at Usk Farmer's Market and Natalie and I are at the Smallholder's Show in Builth Wells, both events are Saturday 18th May. Busy busy... Continue reading

Posted 6 days ago at Slow Rise

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Usk Farmer's Market 4th May

If a bad workman blames his tools, what kind of workman praises his tools? Had a nerd-tastic week experimenting with our new mixer. Had some stonking results (amongst a few howlers). The first spelt with the new mixer was the best we've ever made. Bodes well . . . Continue reading

Posted May 3, 2013 at Slow Rise

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Gorseinon Food Festival Saturday 27th April 2013

Back in my home town this Saturday for Gorseinon Food Festival. This was the town where my grandfather, John Lewington Sweetman first started baking back in 1954. Almost 60 years later, I hope to do the spirit of "Sweetmans Bakery" proud. Continue reading

Posted Apr 23, 2013 at Slow Rise

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Usk Farmer's Market 20th April

It's been one of those weeks. Elation when our new mixer arrived quickly followed by lots of frustration when it broke down. Twice. And then again. Serves me right for buying Italian. . . but at least it looks beautiful. Arran the sparky came to the rescue so gonna do... Continue reading

Posted Apr 19, 2013 at Slow Rise

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Usk Farmer's Market 6th April

Our white sourdough has been going through lots of little improvements in the last few months and we're taking more than ever to Usk. If you haven't had it for a while, now's a good time to try it... Continue reading

Posted Apr 5, 2013 at Slow Rise

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Usk Farmer's Market 16th March

Last market before Easter this Saturday so it's the last outing for our lovely Hot Cross Buns Continue reading

Posted Mar 15, 2013 at Slow Rise

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Usk Farmer's Market 2nd March

Another new boy for Usk is our Khorasan loaf, part of our Alternative Grain range. High in selenium, protein and complex carbs. A great alternative to modern wheat. Unique flavour. Continue reading

Posted Mar 1, 2013 at Slow Rise

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The power of tweaking (cont)

Back in 1997 I worked for Dixons Group (owner of PC World, Currys, The Link and Dixons), a massive £5bn turnover, multi-national FTSE-100 mega-corp. I wanted the full-fat corporate experience and that's exactly what I got. My job was to improve the business through identifying opportunites (easy and fun) and... Continue reading

Posted Feb 28, 2013 at Slow Rise

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The power of tweaking

These passed the Usk Farmer's Market test and sold out in about an hour... We've had loads of great feedback from our shops too, with a few suggestions how to make them better. So I made a few tweaks, made another batch, tweaked again and made another batch... I made... Continue reading

Posted Feb 24, 2013 at Slow Rise

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"In the valleys they are making magic"

Thank you Will Richards! http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_richards/8455614872/ Continue reading

Posted Feb 23, 2013 at Slow Rise

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Usk Farmer's Market 16th Feb 2013 - Hot Cross Buns

I've been experimenting with Hot Cross Buns this week, so we've baked a tiny batch for Usk Farmer's Market to see what people think and get some feedback. Made using the same principles as our bread, they came out a bit wonky, but gloriously chewy and full of juicy sweetness.... Continue reading

Posted Feb 16, 2013 at Slow Rise

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Usk Farmer's Market 2nd Feb 2013

After a false start with the snow a few weeks ago, we are definitely back at Usk tomorrow for our first market of the year, and thereafter on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month. Continue reading

Posted Feb 1, 2013 at Slow Rise

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Usk Farmer's Market Sat 15th Dec - last before Xmas

Last Usk market for us before Christmas, so we'll be bringing lots of loaves and lots of freezer bags so you can stock the freezer. Thanks to all our Usk customers for the support in 2012, we are very grateful. Our next market is on January 19th 2013 - see... Continue reading

Posted Dec 13, 2012 at Slow Rise

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Usk Farmer's Market Saturday 1st Dec

Another new loaf trying to pass the "Usk test" this week is our new 18 hour fermented Sesame Spelt. We think it tastes fantastic but if it sells we'll make it, if it doesn't we won't. . . Continue reading

Posted Nov 30, 2012 at Slow Rise

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Not reinventing the wheel

There's nothing new about seeded loaves, but we get asked for them all the time. So we started experimenting and tried a few different combinations, but kept coming back to Pumpkin & Sunflower seeds. Nothing innovative, just a great, simple loaf based on our 16hr fermented white dough with great... Continue reading

Posted Nov 19, 2012 at Slow Rise

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Usk Farmers Market Sat 17th November

Sold out very early at a very busy market last time, so we'll have more loaves than normal tomorrow. It kicks off around 10am - hope to see you there. Continue reading

Posted Nov 16, 2012 at Slow Rise

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Tesco Organic Veg Boxes

Gut instinct says this isn't going to pinch any customers from Riverford or Abel & Cole (but it might pinch some from other supermarkets). Existing customers of Organic veg boxes don't just buy from existing operators because it's a convenient service with great products. They buy from them because it... Continue reading

Posted Nov 7, 2012 at Slow Rise

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True Taste Awards - meeting Patrick Gee

It was fascinating talking to Founder of Llanllyr Water Patrick Gee last week at the True Taste Awards. His bottled water is exported all over the world and is so pure it is used by chefs at restaurants such as El Bulli and Hakkasan to cook with. When I explained... Continue reading

Posted Nov 3, 2012 at Slow Rise

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Tortoise on Tour - Usk Farmer's Market 3rd Nov

Back again this Saturday with all the favourites plus a small batch of our new lovely, the 16hr fermented Pumkin & Sunflower loaf. Continue reading

Posted Nov 1, 2012 at Slow Rise

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Avoiding coeliac disease

Another article explaining how the body digests grains and how to avoid developing gluten intolerance and coeliac disease. Anecdotal evidence from customer feedback supports this article. If you are gluten intolerant but can eat some bread drop us a line and give us your story. http://www.naturalnews.com/035413_breads_gluten_intolerance_recipes.html Continue reading

Posted Oct 29, 2012 at Slow Rise

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True Taste Award - 44hr Walnut Sourdough

Everyone needs a pat on the back now and again. Last night our Walnut Sourdough won Bronze at the True Taste Awards in Builth Wells. It was the only bread which won an award, so we're beaming. Continue reading

Posted Oct 26, 2012 at Slow Rise

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Tortoise on Tour - Cowbridge Food Festival 27th and 28th October

Last festival of the year for us and it's the biggest one we do. It's on our doorstep so we've got no excuses for not baking enough loaves and selling out early... Hope you can make it. Continue reading

Posted Oct 22, 2012 at Slow Rise

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Enzymes in bread

If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything. Continue reading

Posted Oct 18, 2012 at Slow Rise

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Tortoise on Tour - Usk Farmer's Market 20th Oct

Back again at Usk Farmer's Market this Saturday morning from 10am until we sell out (usually between 12 and 1pm). Ring us on 01656 724 403 if you'd like us to put something aside for you. Hope to see you there! Continue reading

Posted Oct 15, 2012 at Slow Rise

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Five years old today

No champagne corks or victory walks. No fleeting chest beating. Just a quick raise of the coffee cup. And straight back to it, never let up. Continue reading

Posted Oct 10, 2012 at Slow Rise

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