What It Was Like When 20 Readers Got Together with Flour and Sugar

What It Was Like When 20 Readers Got Together with Flour and Sugar

Last Saturday, our kitchen was transformed into the sweetest place in Pamplona. Carmen Elizondo, (fictional) the pastry chef behind “Dulces Carmen” in Casco Viejo, arrived with her favorite apron and a contagious smile to share her 30 years of experience with our readers.

“The secret is in cold hands,” she confessed as she taught us her foolproof technique for perfect shortcrust pastry. Amid laughter and flour flying everywhere, 20 women passionate about baking discovered that the trick to crispy puff pastry is not in grandma's recipe, but in the precise folds that Carmen learned during her time in Paris.

The best part came when María, one of our readers, made her first perfect croissant after three failed attempts at home. “I finally understood what I was doing wrong!” she shouted excitedly as we all applauded.

Carmen left us her secret recipe for pastry cream (which we will soon share with her permission) and a promise: “We have to do this again.” And yes, we are already planning the next masterclass for February. This time, with macarons.

Did you miss it? Don't worry, there will be more opportunities. In the meantime, follow us so you don't miss the next gathering. Because cooking together tastes better.