The Sourdough Experience - Level I (Jan.10.2026)

Come spend the day with like-minded bakers learning about all things sourdough through a hands-on baking experience. We will each be making 2 loaves of sourdough bread and creating your own seasonal galette (a rustic, open-faced pie of sorts!) with a sourdough pie crust -- utilizing all of the different characteristics that a healthy sourdough starter has to offer.

Through detailed guidance, you will:
- Mix and shape sourdough loaves of your own, using your senses and assessing the dough at each step along the way.
- Get to smell + taste some fresh sourdough right out of the oven during lunch that is hand-crafted just for you!
- Learn the basics of sourdough, and tips for success around mixing, shaping, baking and scoring.
- Make an incredible, flaky, sourdough pie dough that will be the vessel for our seasonal galette.
- Go home with all of the information you need to keep your jar of sourdough starter alive and well, and productive for future baking.

We will discuss wild yeast, some of the benefits of fermenting flour, and how you can use and maintain your take-home starter. Part way through our workshop, we will break for a leisurely hand-crafted lunch, taste testing fresh sourdough and a variety of other seasonal accompaniments.

Whether you are a weekend warrior of a baker, or have never baked sourdough before, you will leave with a new confidence to continue your sourdough baking adventures at home and all of the information you need to do so! You will also acquire a lifeline to Lauren for future sourdough queries that arise in your baking journey.

At the end of our workshop, each baker will go home with:

:: A detailed recipe booklet

:: Sourdough starter and instructions to keep it alive + well for generations to come

:: 2 loaves of sourdough and a seasonal galette to bake at home in your own oven (that night for the galette, and the following day for the bread)..making your house smell homey and warm.

This workshop takes place in a private baking studio: Red Hen Artisanale. It is located across from the beautiful and historic St. John's Catholic Church in Glenelg Centre along the Saugeen River. Want to see what the space and property look like? Click this link!

Have questions? Check out the Q&A below, or get in touch at aGVsbG8gfCByZWRoZW5hcnRpc2FuYWxlICEgY29t

What are people saying about these workshops?

Thank you so much! Andrew and I had a great time and we learned lots! The class was a lot of fun and you made it accessible for everyone regardless of our level of experience. We hope to see you again for a session in the future. - Maria

"I attended Lauren's sourdough workshop and was very impressed by the experience. Lauren is so knowledgeable and I walked away from the class feeling equipped to start baking bread. The pie we made in class turned out beautifully! A highlight of the day was the delicious lunch Lauren prepared for everyone. I'd highly recommend this workshop!" - Tereza

"My expectations of this workshop were wildly met. I am a beginner sour dough baker and I felt that the workshop has given me more confidence and answered many of my questions. Lauren is extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and professional. We covered a lot of ground in this workshop, situated in a beautiful and peaceful setting. I will be back!" - Norma

Also check out other Workshops in Markdale, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Markdale.