Thursday, January 30, 2020

January 30 - National Croissant Day


Happy National Croissant Day! On January 30th In the United States, today recognizes a flaky pastry enjoyed at every meal.  Croissants are a buttery, crescent-shaped rolls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.   

The key to a perfect croissant is laminating the dough. Laminating the dough is a process by which butter is folded into the mixture creating multiple thin layers of butter and dough. The result is a mouth-watering flaky crust and airy body. 
 
Click play and enjoy a story about National Croissant Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson.  If you enjoy the two-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.


Legend surrounds this pastry, as is often the case with a popular, worldly treat. What is known, is that crescent-shaped breads have been found around the world for ages. One of these was the kifli, of kipfel, of which originated in Austria as far back as the 13th century. This traditional yeast bread is more like a roll.

Credit for the croissant we know today is given to nineteenth-century Austrian military officer August Zang. 

Also an entrepreneur who founded the Viennese daily Die Presse, he also had a major influence on French baking methods. In 1939 he opened a Viennese bakery in Paris, France, introducing France to Viennese baking techniques.

HOW TO OBSERVE

If you're feeling flaky, stop by the bakery for a fresh, warm croissant. Be sure to give your baker a shout out as well! 

Of course, you can always try baking your own. National Day Calendar® has even provided a recipe to try below. 

Use #NationalCroissantDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

The earliest that National Day Calendar® has found today's observance being celebrated is in 2006. However, they continue researching the origins of this buttery food holiday. 

#NationalCroissantDay
@allrecipes 
@panerabread 
@nichecinema 

January 30 - Nick Broomfield


Happy 72nd Birthday, Nick Broomfield! Born today in 1948 as Nicholas Broomfield, this English documentary writer, producer and film director's self-reflexive style has been regarded as influential to many later filmmakers. In the early 21st century, he began to use non-actors in scripted works, which he calls "Direct Cinema".  

Broomfield is best known for directing two films regarding American serial killer and prostitute Aileen Wuornos. These include the 1992 American crime/political drama documentary 'Aileen Wuronos: The Selling of a Serial Killer' and the 2003 American drama/political drama documentary film 'Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer'.

Broomfield generally works with a minimal crew, recording sound himself and using one or two camera operators. He is often seen in the finished film, usually holding the sound boom and wearing the Nagra tape recorder.

Broomfield has been active from 1971present.

#borntodirect 
@nickbroomfield1 
@BFI 

January 30 - Delbert Mann


Happy Birthday, Delbert Mann! Born today in 1920 as Delbert Martin Mann Jr., this American television and film director, years later, won the Oscar for Best Director at the 28th Academy Awards late March 1956. This was for his 1955 American black and white drama/romance film 'Marty'. 

The film had been adapted from a 1953 teleplay, of which Mann had also previously directed. From 1967 to 1971, he was president of the Directors Guild of America. 

Mann had been active from 1949–1994. 

#borntodirect 
@tcm