After my first sourdough workshop (recap here), we refined the format based on participant feedback to create a compact, hands-on one-day class. Whether you have some experience or are new to sourdough, this workshop focuses on practical techniques—starter care, autolyse, hand-kneading, stretch & fold and shaping—so you leave confident to bake at home.
What changed after our first workshops
We listened to participant feedback and streamlined the format to make learning easier and more practical:
- One-day workshop (instead of two) to fit busy schedules.
- Focus on baking one well-taught bread so you master essentials.
- Participants take unbaked loaves home to finish baking in their own ovens (best for learning oven behavior).
- Moved from a private kitchen to a central, neutral venue in Schöneberg for better accessibility and comfort
Where and why: Schöneberg, Berlin
We now host workshops at a neighborhood center in Schöneberg — centrally located and familiar to our community. Workshop fees are donated to Bildungsflügel e.V., supporting local educational activities. This gives participants a direct link to the association behind the classes.
What we prepare and provide
To make the day smooth and instructive we bring:
- Enough refreshed sourdough starter for every participant.
- Pre-made doughs (bread and focaccia) for demonstration and lunch baking.
- A printed recipe booklet, starter care guide and troubleshooting tips.
Typical workshop schedule (one-day)
- Arrival: welcome with tea, coffee and snacks.
- Start: prepare the autolyse for the main bread.
- During autolyse: score and bake the demo bread for lunch; prepare participants’ starters to ripen during the workshop.
- Mixing & hand-kneading session — no machines.
- Practice gluten-strengthening: stretch & fold and coil folds.
- Short theory slots between folds: sourdough science, starter maintenance, fermentation timing, and tips for home baking. Info about Bildungsflügel e.V. is included.
- Topping the focaccia together and baking.
- Lunch: fresh bread and focaccia with butter, salads, cheeses and spreads — social time and Q&A.
- Afternoon: shaping your loaf, sharing starter portions, troubleshooting individual problems.
- Farewell: take home your shaped, unbaked loaves to cold-proof and bake at home (suggested timing and temperature provided).
Why participants love it
2025 we’ve run three workshops with 21 enthusiastic bakers. Many participants report new baking hobbies, improved nutrition, and even stress relief from the slow, mindful process of sourdough baking. We also get follow-up feedback and photos weeks later — proof that the skills stick. Thank you all for being with us last year!
Troubleshooting & encouragement
Sometimes starters stall or loaves don’t rise as expected — it happens. We teach how to revive a starter and how to adapt recipes to different ovens and schedules. If something goes wrong, you can always start again.
Upcoming workshops & how to join
More workshops are planned in 2026. If you’d like dates and booking information, get in touch — we’ll share the schedule and reserve your spot. Returning participants will be invited to future exchange sessions and advanced meetups as the community grows.
Final note
Sourdough baking is more than bread — it’s a practical skill, a mindful hobby, and a way to connect with a community. Come bake with us in Schöneberg, support Bildungsflügel e.V., and take home not just bread but confidence to bake again.