Vive La France…in Queen Creek!

By: Christina Wofford

South of France Comes to Schnepf Farms

Every June for the last 8 years Carrie Schnepf and her family leave their farm in Arizona and head to Antibes, a quaint village in the South of France. This year Carrie brought back a unique souvenir.

After visiting the same boulangerie daily for its addicting baguettes, Carrie asked the owner, Jean Paul Veziano to teach her his secrets. Turns out the secret is 39 year old leaven.

Jean-Paul gave Carrie a palm size amount of the aged leaven to bring home.
“I was so worried I was going to ‘kill’ it! I kept asking ‘how do I take care of it?’”
The leaven, which makes dough rise, made it home safely and is now the “starter” for the loaves Carrie makes. She has proudly perfected the process; baking bread with a thin, crisp crust and an almost doughy center. Just delicious.

You will be able to taste it for yourself when Schnepf Farms opens September 4th. The truly French bread will be sold at the Farm market, along with tomato and mozzarella sandwiches: another of Carrie’s favorites from her time in the South of France.