Posted by Adam Kuban, February 7, 2009 at 12:00 PM
The New York Timesran an obit yesterday for Alan Scott, who died on January 26 in Tasmania, Australia. Scott was the driving force behind California-based Ovencrafters, a small company that revolutionized the way backyard brick-oven bakers—and not a small amount of commercial ones—baked their breads and pizza. The Times says:
Several thousand amateur bread bakers and thin-crust pizza makers now have backyard brick ovens, many with cathedral-like arches, that were built either by Mr. Scott, with Mr. Scott or according to specifications he laid out with his protégé Daniel Wing in their 1999 book, The Bread Builders.
More than a how-to manual, the book is also a meticulous treatise on the history of bread making and the physics of baking, with instructions, for example, on how long to let the dough rise. Mr. Scott, who held instructional workshops around the country, played a role in bringing brick ovens to hundreds of bakeries and restaurants as well.
I actually have his book at home—not that I have the opportunity to use it; I just like daydreaming. My condolences go out to Mr. Scott's family and friends.
We had Alan come to Alaska in 2004 and teach a workshop to build a brick oven at our bakery...we had puchased the plans from him almost 5 years before after meeting him at a bread bakers conference. The oven is now in full commercial operation and we are able to use it to bake almost everything we serve! It was an amazing experience to have him here, and I'm so proud to have his spirit live on in the fire that we build every day and the beautiful bread (and cakes and pies and roasts) that come out of it!
"I'm so proud to have his spirit live on in the fire that we build every day and the beautiful bread (and cakes and pies and roasts) that come out of it!"
That's a really touching tribute to Mr. Scott, Carri. Thanks for sharing. I bet that oven is nice to work next to in Alaska. ;)
Wow. What an amazing life, and what an amazing man. I'm happier having known about him, and only wish I could have met him. Well, I wouldn't mind a brick oven either.
I raise my glass to him. Carri, I'm very envious, and that was a lovely tribute to him.
I had the fortune of living with Alan for a month, while working at a bakery in Santa Rosa, CA. He truly was one of the most giving and generous souls that I have ever met. I later returned to help Alan build two brick ovens. Upon returning to Oregon, I built my own oven from my experiences and I had a very special surprise visit from Alan, to show him what I created from his lessons. I am at a loss for words, as the man gave so much and asked so little in return. My thoughts are with Lisa and Nick and the rest of the Scott family. To know the man was really something very special and I will never forget what he did for me, and my family.
I have been thinking about building a back yard brick oven for some time now. Our kids have outgrown their playset, and I would like to place a brick oven in that spot when we take the playset down. It sounds like this gentleman knew his craft and has touched many. And if I use some of his advice, and/or designs he will inspire my sons, my neighbors and all those who come over and play around with with our new outdoor oven. Condolences to those who knew this master artisan.
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6 Comments:
We had Alan come to Alaska in 2004 and teach a workshop to build a brick oven at our bakery...we had puchased the plans from him almost 5 years before after meeting him at a bread bakers conference. The oven is now in full commercial operation and we are able to use it to bake almost everything we serve! It was an amazing experience to have him here, and I'm so proud to have his spirit live on in the fire that we build every day and the beautiful bread (and cakes and pies and roasts) that come out of it!
Carri at 1:02PM on 02/07/09
"I'm so proud to have his spirit live on in the fire that we build every day and the beautiful bread (and cakes and pies and roasts) that come out of it!"
That's a really touching tribute to Mr. Scott, Carri. Thanks for sharing. I bet that oven is nice to work next to in Alaska. ;)
Adam Kuban at 1:14PM on 02/07/09
Wow. What an amazing life, and what an amazing man. I'm happier having known about him, and only wish I could have met him. Well, I wouldn't mind a brick oven either.
I raise my glass to him. Carri, I'm very envious, and that was a lovely tribute to him.
NotAmerican at 1:18PM on 02/07/09
Alan Scott wrote his book with Daniel Wing. Here's a good article about Daniel Wing http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/23/garden/23OVEN.html?_r=1&fta=y and his backyard oven
gaffer at 7:25PM on 02/07/09
I had the fortune of living with Alan for a month, while working at a bakery in Santa Rosa, CA. He truly was one of the most giving and generous souls that I have ever met. I later returned to help Alan build two brick ovens. Upon returning to Oregon, I built my own oven from my experiences and I had a very special surprise visit from Alan, to show him what I created from his lessons. I am at a loss for words, as the man gave so much and asked so little in return. My thoughts are with Lisa and Nick and the rest of the Scott family. To know the man was really something very special and I will never forget what he did for me, and my family.
Brian Spangler at 2:56AM on 02/08/09
I have been thinking about building a back yard brick oven for some time now. Our kids have outgrown their playset, and I would like to place a brick oven in that spot when we take the playset down. It sounds like this gentleman knew his craft and has touched many. And if I use some of his advice, and/or designs he will inspire my sons, my neighbors and all those who come over and play around with with our new outdoor oven. Condolences to those who knew this master artisan.
dhorst at 7:08PM on 02/08/09