The Sourdough Club

I've got some really exciting news...I'm in the Club!!!
I was waiting for the right opportunity to share my exciting news with everyone, so when I found out a few weeks back, I could hardly contain my excitement. At the time, Shawn and I were still in New Zealand when... I received the email for my acceptance into the Sourdough School in the UK!!! Then, some virus snuck in and stole my thunder, and I just couldn't bring myself to tell people my exciting news when our world was going through so much uncertainty and change. So now that I've been in near lockdown with everyone else, what better time than the present to make the announcement.  So, here's how it all started. 
Shawn and I were sitting at the kitchen island for dinner one evening a few months back discussing my bread making skills. As Shawn often does with most things I venture into and become overly passionate about, "Lets send you to school!" This usually involves me giving him the "skink eye" because he knows school-in the traditional sense-really isn't something I care to venture back into. Unless it's the School of Life, I'm just not interested. But this?! A school for learning and mastering the skills of sourdough? Totally interested. It was only then that I confessed it was something I've been thinking about for some time; but if I had the choice, I would apply to The Sourdough School. If you remember back to my very first blog post, I described how I acquired my first book (bible) on sourdough. Venessa Kimbells book, The Sourdough School-The Ground-Breaking Guide to Making Gut-Friendly Bread, has been life changing for me AND the people in my life. It's her book that confirmed my theories on why sourdough is the best possible choice for bread, and why for someone like me (who has been gluten free for years), am able to eat and enjoy bread once again-real bread. Venessa created The Sourdough School in her home in Northampton, England. She takes students from all over the world each year and shares her incredible knowledge of sourdough making and gut health with everyone she can. She also created The Sourdough Club; which is an online school for students who have taken one of her courses, as well as anyone interested in joining on a for yearly fee. 
Ok, so back to the kitchen conversation. I turned to Shawn and say, "Well, if I could choose anywhere to learn, it would be her school," and I point to my Sourdough Bible, covered in flour, resting on the counter. "Let's do it!" Shawn's optimism now growing at this point. Then I nail him with the cost; "Uh, is there anywhere else?" I'm sure there is, I said, but honestly, that's likely the only one I would consider. We did spend some time looking up other schools and courses but nothing seemed quite right. So we collectively decided this was the one. Now, I wasn't guaranteed a spot at the school-they are very limited. Vanessa only takes four people per diploma course which happen only once a month. Applicants come in from all over the world and spaces fill up quickly, so by the time I pulled the trigger, only four spaces remained for the 2020 season! 
I quickly applied, heart pounding-mainly from the cost, then hit CONFIRM. Ok, *deep sigh* now I wait. 
About a week and a half later and a few days into our New Zealand trip, the email came. YOU'RE ACCEPTED. I could hardly contain my excitement and went running into my friends house, phone waving wildly, "I'm in! I got accepted! I'm going to the UK!!!" 
Now, I realize NO ONE is going ANYWHERE anytime in the foreseeable future. While the school is now closed during these unprecedented times, it is set to reopen mid September; about a week before my week of school begins. I'm praying that if it's still possible, I will be able to attend; but only time will tell. Until then, I've begun my lifetime member to The Sourdough Club and have been learning and devouring as much information as I can during these indoor days. My intention is to make the most delicious and nutrition sourdoughs for not only us, but the people I love as well-and that's a LOT of sourdoughs:) So until then, I will keep busy mixing, stretching, shaping and baking doughs-all for the love of this incredible passion of mine.
Oh, and on the DL, I have a private tutorial booked with Vanessa for next week;) 
I can't hardly wait!!!

xoheather

The book that started my journey into the world of sourdough

Hopefully one day I can insert myself into this photo:)