BUTLER BAKE SHOP & ESPRESSO BAR
In the popular Williamsburg bakery called BUTLER, the Restaurateur Club joined Michelin Star Pastry Chef Ryan Butler and Co-Founder Rod Coligado for an evening of baking the Chef's signature scones.
Butler Bake Shop attracts foodies from all over, and with its beautiful pastries and treats, it's easy to understand why. Typically open from the mornings until midafternoons, Butler is the perfect place for a flavor-filled breakfast, lunch, or quick bite in between. Chef Ryan's two Michelin Stars are behind every recipe, and the hospitality on site completes the experience.
We were luck enough to learn the technique and recipe for Butler's Herb and Chili Scones from the creators themselves. The baking class gave our small group not only new skills, but also several scones to take home and a bit of comedy mixed in.
In the very personal experience, our small group of members got the chance to discuss with the two founders their experience with starting a business, with the food and beverage industry, and with creating for a living. We discussed baking techniques and the effects of small recipe elements like the order of ingredients and the importance of hand work in the mixing process. Chef Ryan taught us about dough structure and developing gluten, too, while we carefully added his ingredients. After making wells for our cream, kneading, and resting the dough, we put our creations in a rotating rack oven and watched them bake to golden brown.
When we took our scones out of the oven, no one could resist taking a taste. The balance of savory and sweet flavors, especially with the salt sprinkled on top, was definitely something not found in any ordinary bakery scone. Working with Butler Bakery taught each of us baking techniques we would not, if we are honest with ourselves, have even attempted in our dorm kitchens. Many thanks to Chef Ryan and Mr. Coligado for hosting this NYU Club, for their expertise, and for the kind hospitality.