Back in March, I was invited to join a sourdough workshop with Hannah, aka The Gypsy Baker. Not only is Hannah a seriously talented baker, she’s also a wonderful teacher who somehow manages to make the dark art of sourdough feel simple, joyful and completely do-able from your own kitchen. With her new autumn workshop dates now open, it feels like the perfect time to share my experience.
Before the workshop even began, a little parcel arrived on my doorstep: Hannah’s sourdough starter.
This isn’t just any starter either, it comes with a moving San Francisco backstory that immediately makes you feel connected to Hannah, and to the tradition you are stepping into.
Alongside that, I got a thorough digital handout with recipes, timings and techniques – the kind of document you’ll keep referring back to long after the workshop’s done.
The Workshop Experience
The workshops run over Zoom in very small groups, which makes them feel friendly, informal and really personal. Hannah bakes alongside you, guiding each step in real time from feeding your starter to mixing, folding, proving, shaping, scoring and of course, baking.
Hannah has a really open and chatty style, striking the perfect balance between moving forward with the task at hand and stopping to reflect, check in on everyone and answer questions.
Even though it’s all online, she has a real knack for making everyone feel included and connected.
Sessions are cleverly spaced over three days so they fit around life. My partner Charlie even joined in for bits of it, which just shows how flexible the format is. Family, partners, flatmates, whoever you have around can easily dip in and out. By the end of the course I had baked not one but two golden, crusty loaves, and more importantly, I felt confident that I could keep doing it.
Before this, sourdough always felt like a bit of a diva: fussy timings, endless rules and starters that need more attention than a toddler. But Hannah showed us that it’s actually sturdier than you’d think. I’ve learned how to keep my starter alive even when life’s too busy to bake every week, and how to revive it if I’ve neglected it a little too long. (Spoiler: it forgives you!)
At £80, Hannah’s workshop is brilliant value. You get live, personal tuition, a San Francisco-born starter with a story of its own, and the confidence to bake nourishing loaves week in, week out. It really is for everyone. It’s also a great gift idea, with vouchers available, and I can see this working perfectly as a foodie present, a date night or even a family project.
Autumn 2025 Dates Now Open
Fancy having sourdough fresh from your own oven this autumn? Hannah’s upcoming workshop dates are:
- Thursday 2 – Saturday 4 October
- Thursday 20 – Saturday 22 November
Quote Bitten Oxford when booking for 10% off!
Timings:
- Thursday: 7.45pm–9pm
- Friday: 7.45pm–9pm
- Saturday: 9am–9.30am, then 11.30am–1pm (warm sourdough on the table for lunch!)
I can honestly say this was one of the most fun and delicious workshops I’ve done. I’ve since used Hannah’s focaccia recipe which felt so easy, and I’ve loved playing around with different toppings and flavours. Next up to try – sourdough cinnamon rolls, baby!
The Gypsy Baker
Website
Email OX4GypsyBaker@gmail.com to find out more, and book your spot
This workshop was gifted, all views are our own
Loved reading this glowing review and I truly loved welcoming Chiara to my sourdough workshop. Looking forward to welcoming many more people to my sourdough workshop this autumn! It’s sourdough season! Thank you Bitten Oxford!