Calendar of Events
Note: Meetings are usually held on the second Sunday of each month, September through May, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Currently we are meeting via Zoom, but in-person meetings are held at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, Maryland, and occasionally at other venues. The meetings are open to anyone. However, certain meetings may require a fee.
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The History of Gingerbread
October 13, 2024 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
TALK DESCRIPTION
Amy Eber will present an informal but fascinating history of gingerbread. On this gingerbread journey, she will begin by discussing the early trade of spices and how this had a direct impact upon where spice cakes (gingerbread) were originally baked. Recipes varied based upon other ingredients locally available. She will anecdotally explain how monks, royalty, spirituality, fairy tales and politicians were important in spreading the popularity of the spiced treats. Gingerbread in Europe differs from what we are familiar with in the United States. She will further discuss the use of honey and why we use molasses here in the States.
SPEAKER BIO
Amy Eber, formerly a chef instructor, has spent the last 15 years exploring the history of European cookies. Having lived in Switzerland and doing research for her weekly food show on Swiss public radio helped fuel this passion. Her show explored regional dishes. She recently returned from yet another trip to Europe to further study gingerbread variations and to meet many of the Master Carvers making molds to press images into these treats. Last holiday season, Amy presented a “History of Gingerbread” talk at Strathmore Mansion as well as to a local Potomac, Maryland, organization
Amy has a La Technique degree from the French Culinary Institute in New York City. She has taken numerous cooking and baking courses in the U.S., Asia, Mexico and Europe. Amy was a chef instructor at Williams Sonoma as well as several culinary schools.
One of Amy’s culinary interests is researching cuisines from different countries. But her true love is baking, especially making cookies using impression molds. She has an extensive collection of over 800 molds, many custom-made by Master Carvers in Europe. This passion led to her doing research on the history of Springerle and gingerbread. While living in Switzerland, she was able to travel extensively throughout Europe exploring the history and development of gingerbread from its roots several hundred years ago to our current love of this warmly spiced treat.