Our Journey: From First Loaf to Ontario’s Sourdough School

Inside my sourdough classes, at home in the kitchen, and the rhythm of handmade bread.

A Deeper Look at My Sourdough Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Each photo reflects the story of Great Lakes Sourdough. Behind it is my work as a sourdough teacher and baker, shaped in my own kitchen and carried into every class I teach.

You’ll see moments from hands-on classes across Ontario, baking beside my daughter Élise, and the quiet rhythm of shaping dough at home. These experiences shape how I teach, rooted in patience, presence, and a deep respect for the craft.

Whether you’re just beginning or returning with fresh eyes, this is meant to feel like something you can truly make your own.

Rooted in Bread and Teaching

Great Lakes Sourdough is my work as a sourdough teacher, baker, and storyteller.

My journey began in my grandmother’s kitchen, learning through scent, feel, and repetition. That rhythm has stayed with me.

I started teaching home bakers because I saw how confusing sourdough had become. There was so much information, but very little that answered the real question: how do I make this work in my own kitchen, on a small scale?

So that’s what I teach.

Today, I lead sourdough classes and hands-on workshops across Ontario, helping home bakers and teams connect through the process of making bread.

Alongside teaching, I offer small-batch sourdough breads and doughs, made with fresh milled flour and traditional methods.

My background is in facilitation and adult education, and it shapes everything I do. I design experiences that are practical, hands-on, and grounded in real life.

Hands shaping sourdough with flour on counter with KitchenAid mixer and banneton in background

In My Grandmother’s Kitchen

My earliest lessons in breadmaking came through smell, sound, and the feel of dough under my fingers. In my grandmother’s kitchen, I watched how she moved, how she trusted her hands, and how she worked with care.

I remember the quiet joy of baking something that smelled heavenly, and knowing I wanted my home to feel like that.

That memory still shapes everything I do. Whether I’m guiding new bakers in a class or baking quietly at home, it always comes back to those early moments of real bread made with care.

Élise pouring sourdough starter into a bowl at home in a bright kitchen and her mom looks on

Baking With Élise

Now I bake and cook with my daughter Élise, who often takes the lead in our kitchen.

She’s intuitive and curious, with a deep love for creating things from scratch. We experiment, we taste, and we learn together, just as I once did with my mother and grandmother.

These shared moments carry something more than bread. They carry memory, creativity, and a rhythm that feels like home.

At Great Lakes Sourdough, that’s what we pass on. Not just how to bake, but how to trust your hands, stay present, and carry the craft forward in your own way.

A Life Rooted in Rhythm

Our days begin slowly. We start the morning by stepping out into the yard, often with Élise by my side, to check on our chickens and gather fresh eggs. Ginger and Emma, our two poodles, are never far behind. It’s a small ritual, but it grounds us. Just like feeding the sourdough starter or shaping dough by hand, these acts are part of a rhythm that brings meaning to everyday life.

This work of teaching sourdough, cooking with Élise, tending to animals, and caring for the small things is not just about bread. It’s about slowing down, creating beauty, and sharing it with others.

If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with your own rhythm, I hope this is a place where you’ll find it, feel at home, and live a life that’s full and beautiful.