High school French teacher, Eteri Shvets, gave her French IV class a treat. With funding from ASPIRE Gorham, Shvets provided students an opportunity to learn more about French culture and the process of opening a bakery.
The purpose of the trip was “la Fête des Rois”, Twelfth Night on January 6, to mark the end of the Christmas season in France. To celebrate, Sullivan Bakery served “la galette des rois”, a flat pastry with almond filling. The students learned the history behind the traditional pastry and how it’s served.
A highlight of the experience was a discussion with bakery owner, Nancy Ames, about her career choices that lead her to the bakery, including the meaning behind the Sullivan House name, her favorite pastries, and how the bakery came together. She also explained how her “rustic barn” idea transformed into what the bakery has become through friendships and new connections.
Photo courtesy of Megan YoungAllison Bishop, a French IV student, said, “I found it inspiring that she had a completely different career for many years before opening the bakery.” Bishop also noted how motivating it is “to see someone who has completely changed career paths and created something unique and successful” after working for Progressive, IDEXX, and then starting her own business.
Once back in the classroom, the students reflected. “The food was very well made, and it was a breath of fresh air to get out of the classroom and experience something new. Our group would love to do that again … or to have it be a yearly tradition,” said Asa Farley, another French IV student.
It was a meaningful experience for students to leave the classroom, learning and tasting French cuisine as well as taking in the story behind a new local business.
