Master breadmaker Peter Reinhart is also a teacher, author and theologian. Through his lectures and numerous cookbooks, he channels the science of baking into deep, spiritual lessons — and dispels stale myths about the nature (and flavor) of good, wholesome bread.

Why you should listen

Peter Reinhart's food work began as ministry outreach and later became a full-fledged culinary and teaching career. Both an educator and lay minister, his lessons focus on both secular and spiritual education. One of his books, Bread Upon the Waters: A Pilgrimage Toward Self Discovery and Spiritual Truth is first in a series of books exploring nourishment in terms of food and one's life mission.

Reinhart is founder of the award-winning Brother Juniper's Bakery in Santa Rosa, California. He's now a full-time faculty member in the International Baking and Pastry Institute at Johnson and Wales University. He has also developed a line of frozen gourmet pizzas, calzones, toaster snacks and bagels for Amy's Kitchen.

His latest book is Peter Reinhart's Whole Grain Breads: New Techniques, Extraordinary Flavor.

What others say

“I've spent years following directions from more than a dozen bread baking books ... I've only ended up with bread that tastes like inner tube. Peter [Reinhart] has unraveled the mystery of baking, and I now approach this intimidating subject with confidence.” — James Peterson, author, Cooking

Peter Reinhart’s TED talk