My Journey from Store-Bought Disappointment to Sourdough Obsession

I'll never forget the moment I realized I'd been settling for mediocre bread my entire life. It was 2015, and I was traveling through a small village in France when I bit into a rustic sourdough loaf from a local bakery. The crispy, blistered crust gave way to an airy, tangy crumb that literally changed everything I thought I knew about bread.

When I returned home, I searched everywhere for bread that came close to that experience. Nothing. The grocery store loaves were spongy and bland. Even the "artisan" bakeries in my area fell short. That's when I decided: if I couldn't buy it, I'd learn to make it myself.

My first attempts were humbling, to say the least. Dense bricks that could double as doorstops. Starters that died within days. Loaves that spread into flat pancakes instead of rising into beautiful boules. I wanted to quit at least a dozen times during those first six months.

But something kept pulling me back. Maybe it was the challenge, or the promise of that perfect loaf I'd tasted in France. I devoured every book, video, and forum post I could find about Sourdough Baking & Artisan Bread. I experimented with hydration levels, fermentation times, and shaping techniques. I learned to read my starter like a weather forecast and my dough like a trusted friend.

Seven years later, I've baked over 800 loaves, maintained my starter through cross-country moves and power outages, and finally cracked the code on creating bakery-quality bread at home. More importantly, I've discovered that the journey itself—the daily ritual of feeding my starter, the meditative process of folding dough, the anticipation of opening a hot Dutch oven—is just as rewarding as that first perfect slice.

What I Bring to Your Baking Journey

For the past eight years, I've immersed myself in every aspect of Sourdough Baking & Artisan Bread. I've tested more than 30 different flour brands, experimented with 15+ shaping methods, and tried every proofing basket and scoring tool I could get my hands on.

I've learned from online courses with master bakers, spent countless hours in sourdough communities troubleshooting problems, and baked side-by-side with friends who've turned their passion into professional bakeries. I've maintained continuous sourdough starters for over six years, learning their quirks through different seasons, climates, and feeding schedules.

My kitchen has become a testing ground where I document everything—from how different water temperatures affect fermentation to which scoring patterns actually impact oven spring. I've made every mistake possible (sometimes twice) so I can help you avoid them.

This isn't about fancy credentials or culinary school diplomas. It's about real experience, countless hours of hands-on practice, and a genuine obsession with understanding what makes truly exceptional bread.

Why This Website Exists

I created Sourdough Baking Guide because I remember how overwhelming and frustrating it felt to start my sourdough journey alone. There's so much conflicting information out there—some bakers swear by techniques that others completely dismiss. Beginners need clear, tested guidance, not more confusion.

This website exists to be the resource I wish I'd had when I started: straightforward advice based on real experience, not theory. I'm here to help home bakers—whether you're just starting your first starter or you've been at it for years—create beautiful, delicious artisan bread without the overwhelm.

My approach is simple: demystify the process, celebrate the small wins, and prove that you don't need a fancy setup or professional training to bake incredible bread at home. You just need good information and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures.

What You'll Find Here

Every article, guide, and recipe on this site comes from my own kitchen experiments and extensive research. I test everything multiple times before sharing it, noting what works, what doesn't, and why. When I recommend a technique or tool, it's because I've used it myself and can explain exactly how it'll help your baking.

You'll find detailed tutorials that break down complex processes into manageable steps, troubleshooting guides for common (and uncommon) problems, and honest reviews of baking tools and ingredients. I focus on practical, actionable advice for Sourdough Baking & Artisan Bread—the kind that actually makes a difference in your results.

I publish new content weekly, always with the goal of answering real questions from real bakers. This isn't just my platform—it's a community resource.

Whether you're here to start your first starter, perfect your shaping technique, or explore advanced fermentation methods, I'm glad you found your way here. Grab a slice of bread (hopefully one you baked yourself), look around, and let's continue this delicious journey together.