We’ve all been guilty of it — letting a loaf of bread go stale or leaving croissants a little too long in the tin. But those crusts, rolls and pastries past their best don’t have to end up in the bin. In fact, stale bread is one of the most versatile ingredients you can have in the kitchen. From crunchy croutons and golden breadcrumbs to decadent bread puddings and savoury stuffings, there are endless ways to give old bread a delicious new life.
As a food stylist and photographer, I also love the textures that stale bread brings to a shoot — the rustic torn edges, the deep golden crumbs and the contrast they add when styled alongside fresh seasonal produce. It’s proof that “waste not, want not” can also look beautiful on the plate and behind the camera.