Companion Bakery

Sourdough is the ancient craft of rising bread using natural fermentation. Our classes are hands on, guiding guests through every stage of the sourdough baking process.

Introduction to Sourdough

We get straight into mixing bread dough using a sourdough starter, then develop and shape the dough into bannetons and tins for baking. Techniques used throughout the course will improve our control of mixing, shaping, baking, time & temperature.

The Alan Scott wood-fired oven is central to the baking process, providing stored heat and a descending temperature preferred for baking. Guests can load and unload the oven using a wooden peel. Oven theory and how to replicate the baking process at home is also reviewed.

Cost:  $270.00 per person including GST
Duration: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Includes:  Baker's Cap, Lunch, Sourdough Starter
Limit of 6 positions per class.

Advanced Sourdough Techniques

Building on foundation techniques, we look more deeply at fermentation and preparation of ingredients for sourdough bread making. Students will fire the wood-fired oven, make their own soaker and learn how to make sprouted and malted grains.

The full 2 days provides time to practice cool-slow fermentation (retarding) as well as extend room temperature fermentations to suit our needs. Sourdough baking can be measured and controlled but it is often the variations outside our control that makes the most dynamic bread.

Spelt flour will be available for spelt enthusiasts, and we are hoping that Callington Mill will be able to supply freshly stoneground Organic flour (Callington Mill opens mid to late 2010, and is located opposite Companion Bakery).

Participants will have the freedom to create their own recipe on day 2. This type of experimentation is the ethos of our courses and we will be laughing with you not at you if your bread disintegrates in the oven.

Cost:  $540.00 per person including GST
Duration: 9.00am to 5.00pm x 2 days
Includes:  Baker's Cap, Lunch, Sourdough Starter
Limit of 6 positions per class.

Please download and fill out the booking form (Word or Pages) then email us to arrange booking. Alternatively you may fax or post the PDF.