The Woman in the Moon

We all know about the man in the moon, but what about the woman? How was she made? I imagine if we listened to the fashioning of the woman in the moon we would hear not one story or philosophy, but a multitude. A story for every voice, for every woman who has gone through the darkness of night and come out the other side glowing with the most tender strength and beautiful light; a light of hope a light of lessons.  

Luminary Bakery is now releasing their first ever cookbook that will put some of the voices and stories into print. Written by Luminary's Head Bakery Trainer Rachel Stonehouse, Communications Liaison Kaila H. Johnson, along with Founder Alice Williams and Commercial Director Rachael Coulson the book's message delivers hope and empowerment from those who have been through the Women's Programmes, Employability Course, Progression Support Programme or employed in the bakery past and present. The recipes are not only delicious, but will equip anyone to bake beyond their natural comfort level. Being a force of change is Luminary's specialty!

It is an absolute dream come true for me to be included in this publication knowing what it was like to be a part of Luminary's earliest days and to see how far this celestial band of women making up the bakery have come. You will find two recipes from me that are an expression of my path in gluten free and plant based baking: a blackberry and thyme tart inspired by a day written about here with one fellow co-founder of the bakery Sarah, who is now the Saz of Sazzy and Fran as well as pumpkin and chilli cornbread muffins.  I could not have easily contributed without the guidance and feedback of pastry chef Jeremy Intille, the space created to learn new baking techniques by Eleanore Julius, or my amazing friends in the Draper family including their children who ate countless trials from my oven. 

Purchasing with a purpose and supporting the luminous journey for each woman who shares a recipe or a powerful testimony brings more light in this world. And I think that it's something called for right now, more than ever.  

Rising Hope: Recipes and Stories from Luminary Bakery is being published on the 20th August (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and France), but can already be pre-ordered from Amazon, Waterstones and many other bookshops. It is also being published in North America on the 1st September where you can buy it at places such as Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble and Amazon to name a few.