Pauline Beaumont
After studying Psychology and Philosophy, Pauline Beaumont began a 20-year career in the arts. A return to higher education led to a new career in mental health and her current work as a Student Counsellor at Newcastle University. In 2021, she was appointed the in-house Wellbeing Expert for The Sourdough School.
Big families have figured largely in her life. She is the oldest of six siblings and has six, now grown up, children herself. While bringing up her family and working in the north of England, baking bread became increasingly important to her. She found the pattern of bread-making shaped her days, as it continues to do, providing an antidote to the inevitable stresses of life. Her first book, BREAD THERAPY, looks at the way bread making can act as form of therapy and self-care. Published in September 2020, it is a love letter to real bread and the many ways baking our own loaves can help us to feel well and to live better lives. A self-help book with recipes, it celebrates bread making as a way of understanding ourselves better, learning important life lessons and making positive changes to our mental and physical wellbeing. Despite sometimes appearing a bit scary, making bread is something that anyone can do. This book provides an encouragement to the novice and a new way of looking at the benefits of the process for the seasoned bread baker. Follow Pauline on instagram Visit Pauline's website |
Praise for Pauline Beaumont
'A lovely little book. Highly recommended.' Alexis Conran, Times Radio
'I have your book and it is lovely.' Paulette Edwards, Woman's Hour
'Written so beautifully and so eloquently, I couldn't recommend Bread Therapy more.' Ella Mills on The Deliciously Ella podcast
'Pauline's brilliant book has made me want to don a pinny and head to the kitchen.' Susannah Taylor for The Daily Mail
'A brilliant book, beautifully set out, so simple, spot on.' Liz Earle
‘Pauline Beaumont writes persuasively about the power of something as simple as breadmaking to help us cope with life’s stresses and disappointments. In her gentle explanations, age-old wisdom informs modern psychotherapeutic practice and the traditional craft of baking real bread at home emerges as both metaphor and métier. Her belief that ‘the final gift of breadmaking is to spread the word, for you to express your care for others through bread and, in doing this, inspire others’ shines through a book that may well change lives.’ Andrew Whitley, author of Bread Matters and DO Sourdough – Slow Bread for Busy Lives
’It is a rare pleasure to spend time in the company of such a thoughtful, intelligent and compassionate food writer. Pauline Beaumont explains how making bread in all its many forms can help your mental and physical health, as well as provide you with something wholesome and delicious to enjoy and share. Bread Therapy is a book that deserves to be read from cover to cover, but it ultimately belongs in the kitchen: whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned expert, you’ll find the recipes immaculately explained, with infinite attention to detail, and inspiring ideas for the creative bread maker. An exciting new voice in the world of food writing.’ Orlando Murrin, President of the Guild of Food Writers
‘Bread Therapy is a deeply nourishing read, offering a fresh and inspiring application of both mindfulness and self-care. A genuine feast for the senses.’ Suzy Reading, author of Self Care for Tough Times
‘The Real Bread Campaign has long believed in and championed the benefits of making Real Bread by hand. It’s great to see Pauline helping to spread this message to even more people. As lovingly crafted as a handmade loaf, this book guides you through why and how Real Bread can be better for you, not just while you enjoy eating it, but first as you enjoy making it. Along the way you’ll discover the opportunities for making connections with the food you eat, with people around you, and with yourself. One day, we would like to see Real Bread making offered on prescription. For now, this book will help many more people to find happiness in a bag of flour.’ Chris Young, coordinator of the Real Bread Campaign
'A meditation upon, and life lessons from, the art and science of bread making, beautifully exploring its importance in our societal, emotional and physical lives. A joyful, comforting and helpful book at any stage of life.' Sasha Bates, therapist and author
‘Pauline Beaumont’s Bread Therapy is a reassuring, generous book that answers the big question of why we bake bread rather than buy and shows the healing power that crafting and baking a loaf offers us. It’s a heartfelt, enlightening book for the baker in your family, your friends, and especially the baker within you.' Dan Lepard
‘I have read Bread Therapy with pleasure, interest and admiration. Pauline has written so thoughtfully, clearly and lovingly about the benefits, delights and surprises of breadmaking for both mind and body. It will help the reader feel good inside and out. As Pauline says: "managing expectations in baking and life leads to calm acceptance". Even a doorstop loaf can't stop the door being opened any more...!’ Nick Jones, past Chairman of the Traditional Cornmillers' Guild
‘We love this book as it sums up so exactly how we feel about bread. Bread is like a small animal; it needs feeding, resting and quite a lot of love to get it to feel right. Caring for it gives you a huge buzz. Bread also has the ability to care for you and making bread is such a simple and pure way of boosting mental wellbeing. Pauline’s book captures this magic of this equation beautifully.’ Alex and Kitty Tait, founders of The Orange Bakery
'A lovely little book. Highly recommended.' Alexis Conran, Times Radio
'I have your book and it is lovely.' Paulette Edwards, Woman's Hour
'Written so beautifully and so eloquently, I couldn't recommend Bread Therapy more.' Ella Mills on The Deliciously Ella podcast
'Pauline's brilliant book has made me want to don a pinny and head to the kitchen.' Susannah Taylor for The Daily Mail
'A brilliant book, beautifully set out, so simple, spot on.' Liz Earle
‘Pauline Beaumont writes persuasively about the power of something as simple as breadmaking to help us cope with life’s stresses and disappointments. In her gentle explanations, age-old wisdom informs modern psychotherapeutic practice and the traditional craft of baking real bread at home emerges as both metaphor and métier. Her belief that ‘the final gift of breadmaking is to spread the word, for you to express your care for others through bread and, in doing this, inspire others’ shines through a book that may well change lives.’ Andrew Whitley, author of Bread Matters and DO Sourdough – Slow Bread for Busy Lives
’It is a rare pleasure to spend time in the company of such a thoughtful, intelligent and compassionate food writer. Pauline Beaumont explains how making bread in all its many forms can help your mental and physical health, as well as provide you with something wholesome and delicious to enjoy and share. Bread Therapy is a book that deserves to be read from cover to cover, but it ultimately belongs in the kitchen: whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned expert, you’ll find the recipes immaculately explained, with infinite attention to detail, and inspiring ideas for the creative bread maker. An exciting new voice in the world of food writing.’ Orlando Murrin, President of the Guild of Food Writers
‘Bread Therapy is a deeply nourishing read, offering a fresh and inspiring application of both mindfulness and self-care. A genuine feast for the senses.’ Suzy Reading, author of Self Care for Tough Times
‘The Real Bread Campaign has long believed in and championed the benefits of making Real Bread by hand. It’s great to see Pauline helping to spread this message to even more people. As lovingly crafted as a handmade loaf, this book guides you through why and how Real Bread can be better for you, not just while you enjoy eating it, but first as you enjoy making it. Along the way you’ll discover the opportunities for making connections with the food you eat, with people around you, and with yourself. One day, we would like to see Real Bread making offered on prescription. For now, this book will help many more people to find happiness in a bag of flour.’ Chris Young, coordinator of the Real Bread Campaign
'A meditation upon, and life lessons from, the art and science of bread making, beautifully exploring its importance in our societal, emotional and physical lives. A joyful, comforting and helpful book at any stage of life.' Sasha Bates, therapist and author
‘Pauline Beaumont’s Bread Therapy is a reassuring, generous book that answers the big question of why we bake bread rather than buy and shows the healing power that crafting and baking a loaf offers us. It’s a heartfelt, enlightening book for the baker in your family, your friends, and especially the baker within you.' Dan Lepard
‘I have read Bread Therapy with pleasure, interest and admiration. Pauline has written so thoughtfully, clearly and lovingly about the benefits, delights and surprises of breadmaking for both mind and body. It will help the reader feel good inside and out. As Pauline says: "managing expectations in baking and life leads to calm acceptance". Even a doorstop loaf can't stop the door being opened any more...!’ Nick Jones, past Chairman of the Traditional Cornmillers' Guild
‘We love this book as it sums up so exactly how we feel about bread. Bread is like a small animal; it needs feeding, resting and quite a lot of love to get it to feel right. Caring for it gives you a huge buzz. Bread also has the ability to care for you and making bread is such a simple and pure way of boosting mental wellbeing. Pauline’s book captures this magic of this equation beautifully.’ Alex and Kitty Tait, founders of The Orange Bakery