ROCHELLE – Father Dominic knows his bread.
He knows how to make delicious Mardi Gras King Cakes and perfect Easter Hot Cross buns. His shortcakes are light and fluffy and his Victorian Milk Bread is nostalgic and delicious.
He has created such recipes as ice cream muffins and Father Dom’s Everything Cookies. His simple multi-grain bread is perfect and the gluten-free brigade need not worry, his gluten-free pumpkin scones are made just for you.
But there’s more to Father Dominic than just flour and yeast. Father Dominic Garramone is a monk of Saint Bede Abbey in Peru, Ill., where he teaches a class on Sacraments and Comparative Religions and is the head of the religion department.

He has published two plays and written six cookbooks. His is an award-winning children’s book author and is currently an online baking instructor on Craftsy.com. You may also recognize him from his years on PBS as host of “Breaking Bread with Father Dominic.” When he is not busy baking or teaching or writing, he can be found in the abbey’s herb garden.
“My culinary education comes from a mixture of my mother’s kitchen, PBS and the public library,” said Father Dominic, who will be presenting a bread making event on Sept. 15 at Salt 251 in Rochelle. 
Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the show will begin at 9:30 a.m. Father Dominic will be making a selection of autumn breads live and there will be a variety of his breads to taste. You will see him prepare breads like spiced apple shortcake, a harvest braid with apples, cheese, ham and walnuts, pumpkin scones with a cream cheese filling, or traditional Irish Barm Brack for Halloween. While he prepares the breads, Father Dominic shares tidbits about baking and life in general.
“I have seen Father Dominic a few times,” said Serenity Hospice Board President Karen Sikorsky. “He is so inspirational and so funny and he makes the show very entertaining.Watching him bake bread is like watching someone create art. He really knows what he’s doing!”
Serenity Hospice is sponsoring the Sept. 15 event and all proceeds benefit the not- for- profit hospice that serves Northern Illinois.
Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at Quinn’s Jewelry in downtown Rochelle or at the Serenity Hospice Home in Oregon. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 815-732-2499. 
Space is limited so purchase your tickets today.