Culture Food & Travel

The Larousse Book of Bread by Érik Kayser

The Larousse Book of Bread by Érik Kayser
The Larousse Book of Bread by Érik Kayser

“People today are seeking authenticity in all kinds of things, and what cold be better than bread, when it is made honestly with no trickery or artifice, to convey this feeling of authenticity?”

Master baker and entrepreneur, Éric Kayser grew up as the fourth generation in a baking family originating in Alsace. Now hailed as one of France’s best bakers, Eric is passionate about creating artisanal bread and showing people how easy it can be made. In this new book, he has created an iconic culinary bible of artisan bread published for the first time in English by Phaidon.

The age-old craft of making your own bread has recently experiencing a global surge in popularity. Turning their backs on commercially made bread, more and more people have found that using traditional methods to bake authentic bread at home is a satisfying skill to regain.

The book starts with a comprehensive guide to the essential techniques, ingredients, and equipment needed to get you started and affiliated with bread know-how. Each recipe if accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions and vital step-by-step photography taking you through every stage of the bread-making process. The Larousse Book of Bread is an indispensable resource for both beginner and professional bakers alike, and an essential addition to any cookery library.

The book presents the 80 bread recipes that both home cooks and more advances bakers would like to master. Breads include the boule, baguette, rye, pumpernickel, ciabatta and sweet pastries and breads such as croissants, Paris buns and a brioche loaf.

Hailed as one of France’s best bakers, Éric Kayser (b 1964) was born into a family of bakers. At age 18, he became a compagnon of the prestigious Tour de France of baking and in 1994, at age 30, he invented the Fermento Levain with fellow baker Patrick Castagna. The machine allows for the continuous use of liquid leaven, a breakthrough in baking 

Éric opened his first Maison Kayser in Paris in 1996 and now there are more than 100 bakeries around the world in thirteen countries: 20 in Paris, five in New York City (Maison Kayser) and others in Greece, Portugal, Russia, Japan, Ukraine, Morocco, Senegal, South Korea, Lebanon, the UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

He is coming to London in April to give a number of exclusive events to celebrate the launch of his new book.

The editorial unit

Éric Kayser will be in the Kensington store on Saturday 25th April 2015 at 3pm, signing copies of his new book The Larousse Book of Bread, which is released this month by Phaidon.

More in Food & Drinks

Our pick of the best restaurants to try during the Berlin Film Festival 2026

Food & Travel Desk

Michelin-star chefs unite for global Momentum dinners to foster culinary innovation and dialogue

Food & Travel Desk

Trullo chef Conor Gadd to open first solo restaurant, Burro, in Covent Garden this March

Food & Travel Desk

Lyaness and BiBi unite for week-long South Asian-inspired food and cocktail collaboration on South Bank

Food & Travel Desk

Floozie Cookies and Max Factor team up for limited-edition dessert and lipstick giveaway in Covent Garden

Food & Travel Desk

Lita retains Michelin star and appoints Kostas Papathanasiou as culinary director in Marylebone

Food & Travel Desk

Sound Bites festival to debut in London with live music, celebrity chefs and charity support for Children with Cancer UK

Food & Travel Desk

Jerez de la Frontera to welcome year-long international gastronomy event El Duende X in 2026

Food & Travel Desk

Hoko café to celebrate Lunar New Year at Seven Dials Market with free Hong Kong milk tea and lion dance

Food & Travel Desk