The gourmet breads and gourmet kitchens of Vermont

As I travel New England and New York, I find myself longing for the incredible foods of Vermont, where bread baking has taken on a new fascination.

Years ago California was a haven for garlic lovers, today Vermont is a Mecca for gourmet bread lovers. From the free loaves of the politically charged Bread-and-Puppet Theater to the elegant brioche of New England Culinary Institute, Vermont is synonymous with good bread.

The very first great artisinal Vermont bread I tasted here in the 1970’s was made by Gerard Rubaud in Westford. He was followed by many others, notable among his followers are: Deeter’s Bakery in Northfield, Stewart’s Bakery in Williston, Baba A Louis in Chester. Good Companion Bakery in Vergennes even offers a winter bread CSA (Community Supported Agriculture – wherein bread lovers invest in a share of the farm).

Bakeries have become more popular than liquor stores in many parts of the state:
Burlington has Mirabelles
Middlebury has Otter Creek Bakery
Middlesex has Red Hen
La Brioche is in Montpelier
Richmond has On the Rise
Shelburne has O’Bread at Shelburne Farms

Every small town and village has a farmers’ market where fresh-baked breads reign supreme. Here in Vermont, gourmet, Slow Food, and Localvore are not passing fads, but lifestyles epitomized by the breaking of bread – good bread.

Many Vermont kitchens have been renovated and new homes built around the hearth; others feature their original, center-of-the-home kitchens. A few of my favorite kitchens on the market include a great property listing in Cornwall and two homes in Lincoln. Take a look at these listings and I’m sure you’ll be able to imagine great, steamy loaves of bread coming from these kitchens.

This historic Cornwall home features more than 4000 sq ft of living space, featuring 4 fireplaces, formal dining, studio space, chef’s kitchen w/ walk-in pantry.	This custom built Lincoln home features a unique Waterford wood cook stove and large pantry. The property is on 43.7 acres of meadows, woods , streams.  with extensive gardens/edible landscaping.	A Gourmet kitchen with mahogany & soapstone counters, Dynasty 6 burner gas range w/Viking hood & custom cabinetry in a beautiful Federal style reproduction built by Connor Homes in 1999.