Bakery oven re-ignited for special event

BLUMES Historic Bakery will fire up its scotch oven for a day of wonderful, locally produced food.

Partnering with Masons of Bendigo for a special event on Sunday, 27 June, Blumes owner Jodie Pillinger promises an afternoon of wood-fired pizza with incredible flavours from Central Victoria.

“People can expect excitement, fun and a truly unique experience seeing an 1800s restored scotch oven paired with the best of local, wholesome, and unique food,” she said.

“I think it will be a very special event as my cooking philosophy is that food prepared from a wood fired oven is vastly superior to the same dish cooked in a gas or electric oven.

“It brings out the best in flavour and texture especially when you pair it with simple and honest ingredients.”

Ms Pillinger said visitors will be able to enjoy a range of fresh produce, including cheese from Long Paddock Cheese at Castlemaine.

She said the collaboration with Masons of Bendigo comes from a longstanding friendship with chef Sonia Anthony.

“We constantly exchange stories, ideas and have built a relationship that has only grown,” Ms Pillinger said.

“A cook and a chef who both love nothing more than to produce food that you eat and say wow that is good.

“I will often ring Sonia and say, you have to try this it will blow your mind and she will often say to me, imagine that cooked in your oven.”

Blumes has seen a community-led push to re-ignite its oven and Ms Pillinger said that a council approval for a permit means the bakery can develop and grow, with the future of Blumes “still evolving”.

Ms Pillinger said the announcement of Bendigo has a UNESCO City of Gastronomy was “extremely exciting” for the historical bakery.

“It actually gave me goose bumps thinking that not only could Blumes be put on a regional map but also the world’s stage,” she said.

“I found that there was a lot sudden interest in Blumes from many international followers and it was quite exciting to think that people would be interested in visiting Blumes from all over the world.”