Magma Earth Ovens – a one day workshop; 11th July at Puckham Valley, Gloucestershire:
Earth Ovens are authentic, handmade clay ovens crafted in a traditional way that draws upon ancient techniques dating back more than 2000 years. Now, they offer a totally natural way of cooking that allows you to reconnect with nature while creating delicious food and flavours. The Earth Oven Project offers practical workshops to teach people how to sculpt their own earth oven, beginning with weaving the basket that creates the framework and shape of the oven, then on to mixing the clay and ends with the completed earth oven. Earth ovens are completely individual and their size can range from large, community ovens to small family or individual-use ovens which will easily fit in the corner of a garden – you can even make a portable oven that can be moved around wherever you wish! These well-built ovens are strong, resilient and can last for many years with very little maintenance.
This course is the brainchild of Danny Shmulevitch who for many years worked closely with the indigenous Bedouin people in their homeland, a place of wild beauty and traditional wisdom. Danny’s unique experiences and his ability to capture the essence and significance of the simple and yet practical activities of the tribes people, ensure that the events he facilitates have a magical and often profound quality with elements both of the theatre and ritual.
I have a personal interest in this workshop as Danny has built me my very own earth oven at the bottom of my garden – it’s between the vegetable beds, my log cabin and the outdoor classroom. I know from experience that using an earth oven is totally different to conventional food preparation, it’s not a question of nipping into the kitchen to boil a kettle or turn on the stove, this is a much more absorbing and sociable experience. Cooking on an open fire sees a return to age-old techniques and family and friends can enjoy getting involved in the process while the aromatic wood smoke infuses the food with its unique taste; perfect for everything from roast chicken and vegetables to homemade pizza – or maybe even bread. After the meal is cooked the oven will still generate plenty of heat to keep you warm – we can sit outside for hours even in the cool English summer!
For more information about this and other workshops, please email dannyshmulevitch@gmail.com or phone 07866 625787.
