A few weeks ago, before term started, I won a place (via Twitter) on a sourdough bread course. It was hosted by the wonderful Vanessa, of the Juniper and Rose Kitchen Garden School. The course was a 6 hour affair on all things sourdough. Vanessa explained about starters and levain, how to know by sight if the dough is ready and how to shape the sourdough into the perfect loaf. Vanessa had already made up a sourdough before we got there so we made pizza with it for lunch. We made up our own dough too, and after lunch, made various combinations of fillings – mine was pear and hazelnut –  for our loaves, which we baked and then got to take home with us (along with various other goodies, including Heritage Flour from Doves Farm and a sample of Pelia Olive Oil.) It was an inspiring way to spend a day and loads of fun. I’ve since made sourdough a few times and fed it to friends, who like it so much they’ve requested the recipe (always a good sign). This is a photo essay of the day and my later successes. I’m now addicted to sourdough pizza.