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Sourdough

Knead & Desire Bakehouse

Hitchin, Hertfordshire

4.7(90)·From £175.00·7h

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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

4.7 on Google

90 reviews - Read on Google Maps

Location

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7 Churchgate Walk, Hitchin SG5 1DN, Hertfordshire

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Equipment

Keep baking sourdough at home

Three of the eight things I use for sourdough in my own kitchen. I own every one of them, and the photos are mine.

The full list covers what to buy first, what can wait, and what you can skip.

See all 8 things I use for sourdough

Information last checked: April 2026

Nearby Schools

5

Food hygiene rating

Very good

Inspected 1 October 2024

Food hygieneGenerally satisfactory
FacilitiesGenerally satisfactory
ManagementGenerally satisfactory
Food Standards Agencyfood.gov.uk ↗

Getting there

  • St Mary's Square (Stop H)4 min walk
  • St Mary's Square (Stop K)4 min walk
  • Biggin Lane2 min walk
  • Saint Mary's Square Car Park4 min walk

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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Practical details

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Venue features

£175.00

4.7 (90)

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