Sourdough 101: Hands-On with Stillrise Artisan Bakes

What You’ll Do

• Mix and begin your own sourdough dough from scratch
• Perform stretch + fold techniques with guided coaching
• Pre-shape + final-shape a loaf to take home and bake
• Feed and name your own active sourdough starter
• Learn how to finish the process at home (bulk ferment, cold proof, bake)
• Ask all the real-life / “but what if…?” questions you’ve always had about sourdough

What You’ll Learn

• How sourdough works and why it’s different from commercial yeast
• How to care for, feed, store + NOT kill your starter
• How to adapt the sourdough process to your schedule
• How dough should feel (not just look) at each stage
• How temperature + timing impact fermentation success
• Exactly what to do the moment you get home after class

Why Join

• You won’t just watch, you’ll actually make bread with your own hands!
• You’ll be taught like a real person with a real schedule (not a 48-hour science project)
• You’ll go home prepared and excited, not overwhelmed
• Includes starter, shaping tools, take-home guide + supportive follow-up

Perfect For

• True beginners (even if you’ve never touched dough)
• Home bakers who tried before + felt confused or discouraged
• People who love slow craft, rituals, and feeding people well
• Gifting an experience vs. a thing (Mother’s Day, date night, friend outing)

Important Notes

• Each attendee goes home with 2 unbaked loaves, 1 jar of live starter, and a sourdough beginner’s kit (2 bannetons, 1 bench scraper, 1 silicone spatula, mixing bowl, and dough whisk)
• Bring a large reusable tote or sturdy bag for transport
• Class length: approx. 90–120 minutes
• Location hosted in partnership with Jiaren Cafe
• Space is intentionally limited to keep the experience intimate & hands-on

About Your Host

This workshop is led by Katelynn, owner and baker of Stillrise Artisan Bakes, a microbakery rooted in intentional, small-batch sourdough and slow craft. Katelynn specializes in approachable artisan baking for the everyday home kitchen: no commercial equipment, no shortcuts, just real technique made doable.

About Stillrise Artisan Bakes

Stillrise is a cottage microbakery based in Santa Clara, specializing in naturally leavened sourdough loaves, small-batch baked goods, and seasonal offerings. Inspired by old-world craftsmanship and modern home-kitchen practicality, Stillrise exists to bring back the feeling of knowing your local baker- real bread made by real hands, meant to be shared at real tables.