Breadsong - by Kitty Tait & Al Tait (Hardcover)

About the Book

Kitty Tait grew up a funny, chatty redhead who made everyone in her family laugh. But around the time she turned 14, Kitty began experiencing anxiety. Slowly, she disconnected from everyone around her and struggled to wake up, get dressed, and leave the house. Full of worry, her parents tried everything, from new hobbies like reading and painting to medication and visits to a specialist. Nothing seemed to help. Then, one day, as Kitty stood on a stool watching her dad mix flour, water, and salt, she determined Al's gloopy, sludgy blob of bread looked a whole lot like her brain. The next day, peaking under the tea towel as the mix gently bubbled and popped, Kitty came to a stunning realization: bread is alive. Al asked Kitty if she'd like to try baking bread herself, and their lives were never the same again. One loaf quickly escalated into an obsession, and Kitty felt better than she had for a long time. Within nine months, Kitty and Al opened The Orange Bakery--and they haven't stopped since. Featuring more than 80 recipes--including cinnamon buns, cheese swirls, and tahini brownies--Breadsong is a celebration of bread and baking, and an inspiring story of the life-saving power of discovering a passion.

Book Synopsis

James Beard Awards 2023 nominee - Bread category
Shortlisted for the 2023 Andre Simon Best Cookbook Award

A cookbook full of heart that explores the redemptive power of baking.

Kitty Tait grew up a funny, chatty redhead who made everyone in her family laugh. But around the time she turned 14, Kitty began experiencing anxiety. Slowly, she disconnected from everyone around her and struggled to wake up, get dressed, and leave the house. Full of worry, her parents tried everything, from new hobbies like reading and painting to medication and visits to a specialist. Nothing seemed to help.

Then, one day, as Kitty stood on a stool watching her dad mix flour, water, and salt, she determined Al's gloopy, sludgy blob of bread looked a whole lot like her brain. The next day, peaking under the tea towel as the mix gently bubbled and popped, Kitty came to a stunning realization: bread is alive. Al asked Kitty if she'd like to try baking bread herself, and their lives were never the same again. One loaf quickly escalated into an obsession, and Kitty felt better than she had for a long time. Within nine months, Kitty and Al opened The Orange Bakery--and they haven't stopped since.

Featuring more than 80 recipes--including cinnamon buns, cheese swirls, and tahini brownies--Breadsong is a celebration of bread and baking, and an inspiring story of the life-saving power of discovering a passion.

Review Quotes

"In this uplifting work, the British dad-and-daughter duo behind Oxfordshire's Orange Bakery fold innovative recipes into a moving testament to the healing power of baking . . . Kitty's passionate creativity is as irresistible as her creations. Bakers will have no trouble devouring every bit." --Publishers Weekly

"Tenacity and passion permeate Breadsong, a moving, life-affirming memoir and recipe book by Kitty and Al Tait that celebrates the joys of bread-based baking . . . The family's amazing story is alchemized with equal amounts of inspiration and deliciousness." - Shelf Awareness

"[Kitty and Al Tait's] story is as heartwarming as it gets, accentuated by Kitty's lively voice and infectious grin splashed across the pages along with her dad's adorable illustrations. There's a recipe for a caramel-covered Happy Bread here, which says a lot about this joyful book." - BookPage

About the Author

Kitty Tait and her dad Al live in Watlington, Oxfordshire, England. In just two years, the pair went from a small subscription service to pop ups to finally the Orange Bakery. The shop now sells out every day, with lines stretching down the street as people eagerly await the most original flavored sourdough (miso and sesame, fig and walnut) and huge piles of cinnamon buns and cheese swirls. They chronicle their journey on Kitty's Instagram @realorangebakery.