I first discovered Vanessa through her book 10 Minute Sourdough, which sparked my curiosity about making reduced-gluten bread to support my daughter’s health. What began as a practical interest soon unfolded into something much deeper. After an engaging initial call, I decided to attend her 3-day workshop and I’m so grateful I did.

Like many, I arrived expecting three days of intensive baking. And while we certainly covered recipes (including her famous boule), what Vanessa offers is far more profound. Her teaching is not just instructional; it’s immersive and embodied. We didn’t just “learn to bake bread”, we explored the smells, textures, movements, and even the origins of the flour, tracing it back to the farmers and the land it came from. We explored botanical blends and fermentation in ways that connected science, art, and nature.

Part of me came alive in a way I didn’t expect. I left not only with a renewed passion for sourdough but also with a deeper appreciation for agriculture, botanicals, and even the landscape I grew up in. My parents live in the Hampshire countryside, and since the course, I see it with new eyes and more connected to the soil, the seasons, and the story behind the ingredients.

Vanessa is incredibly generous with her knowledge and resources. Her passion is contagious, and it infuses everything she does. She holds a vast inventory of wisdom that she shares freely and enthusiastically, igniting inspiration in everyone who attends.

This course is so much more than baking. It’s nourishment for the mind, body, and soul.