Knead & Desire Bakehouse

The Sourdough Introductory Workshop at Knead & Desire Bakehouse runs for seven hours and costs from £175, with participants taking home a starter, banneton, lame, and dough scraper. Located in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, this specialist sourdough school is led by founder Matthew Rideout, whose expertise is demonstrated through multiple wins at the Tiptree World Bread Awards.

The bakehouse focuses exclusively on sourdough, with full-day classes covering three distinct varieties including wholemeal and rye. This concentrated approach allows students to gain comprehensive knowledge of sourdough techniques rather than rushing through multiple baking styles. The award-winning methods taught here reflect Rideout's proven success in competitive bread making, offering students access to techniques that have been recognised at national level.

During the seven-hour workshop, students learn the fundamentals of creating award-winning sourdough bread from scratch. The generous time allocation allows for proper attention to each stage of the process, from understanding starter development to mastering shaping techniques. Each participant receives essential sourdough equipment to continue their practice at home: a banneton for proving, a lame for scoring, a dough scraper for handling, and crucially, a live starter culture to maintain their ongoing sourdough journey.

The workshop welcomes bakers of all levels, making it accessible whether you're encountering sourdough for the first time or looking to refine existing skills under expert guidance. Gift vouchers are available, making this an ideal introduction for anyone keen to master this traditional bread-making craft with proven techniques from a competition-winning baker.

Reviews

Location

7 Churchgate Walk, Hitchin SG5 1DN, Hertfordshire

A few things we think are worth having if you want to keep baking at home.

Equipment

Le Creuset Cast Iron Bread Oven

Traps steam inside the pot, giving sourdough the burst it needs in the oven. The closest you can get to a professional deck oven at home.

£150-250View on Amazon

Equipment

Banneton Proofing Basket Set

Essential for shaping sourdough. Gives your loaves that beautiful spiral pattern.

~£18View on Amazon

Book

Tartine Bread - Chad Robertson

The sourdough bible. Start here if you're serious about bread.

~£28View on Amazon

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