For their 10th wedding anniversary, Carrie and Mark Schnepf spent two weeks driving around France. By chance, they came across the town of Antibes in southern France and she has been returning every year since. Carrie says the old town is 'so quaint, so French', filled with boulangeries, cobblestone streets, a flower cart, and someone playing the accordion.
During the summer, Carrie takes a break from helping to run Schnepf Farm, and spends a month learning all she can about French baking from Christian Cottard in his pattisserie in Antibes. Cottard is known as one of the top pastry chefs in France and Carrie volunteers in his kitchen in order to master recipes and improve her technique. She clearly admires the French approach which she says is a 'science and an art', using simple, fresh ingredients and less waste.
Bustling in the Schnepf Bakery back in Queen Creek she and her baker, Liz, create delicious breadsticks, decadent eclairs, quiches, and baguettes which they sell Thursday - Sunday 8am-2pm. Everything is made from scratch, even the cream and chocolate ganache used in the eclairs. Carrie not only has brought back her knowledge but also some of the tools and spices from the markets in Antibes.
The bakery also offers an array of freshly baked pies for the holidays which are available for online order up to the day before Thanksgiving. Flavors like pumpkin, pecan, caramel apple, cherry and more are on display and ready for pick up. For Thanksgiving, Carrie says she is happy to hand over the cooking to her husband and daughter for the day. Meanwhile, she gives thanks for her 'family, her great employees, and a fun business.'
For a taste of France in Queen Creek take a short trip to Schnepf Bakery.
www.schnepffarms.com