Bill Babb displays freshly baked loaves of bread.
Members of the public are invited to join retired teacher and home baker Bill Babb as he shares his passion for baking sourdough bread. Attendees at his upcoming class on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will learn how to care for a sourdough starter, how to knead using two different techniques, and how to mix, shape, and slice bread for baking.
Babb will demonstrate two ways to do the bake — using a cloche and steaming the oven. Students will get to take home some sourdough culture, and will prepare a loaf to bake at home. There will be plenty of opportunities for participants to ask questions, share stories, and offer insights.
Babb has been perfecting the sourdough baguette for 15 years. He has attended several King Arthur baking workshops and has attended the Skowhegan Kneading Conference four times. He is also a builder of wood-fired ovens: an earth oven and a shallow arch oven.
The class will be held at FARMS Community Kitchen, 323 Main St., Damariscotta (above Rising Tide Community Market). The fee for the class is $15. To register, leave a message on the FARMS phone at 563-1161 or email info@mefarms.org. After confirmation, send name, phone number, email address, and a check made out to FARMS to P.O. Box 421, Damariscotta, ME 04543, or drop off payment and registration information in the mailbox upstairs at FARMS Community Kitchen.
