Bread baking classes?

Submitted by Michael 2003 on May 24, 2009 - 9:36am

I live in in Shorewood, just west of the Joliet IL, and have been looking for a bread baking class that is somewhat local to me and have had no success. There's Joliet Junior College but they only offer a basic cooking classes for those looking to go into the hospitality field for work. There are culinary institutes in the area but it's like taking an engineering class to learn how to change a tire, and the experience is out of the question for this one little thing! I even tried chatting up the local bakers, and the Whole foods baker in Naperville is a real baker from flour and yeast to finished product, but I had no success. Perhaps she thought I was attempting to steal her secrets? All I want is to get the basics down and get me going in the right direction. Anyone out here experienced and interested in tutoring?

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Misc.

Submitted by dghdctr on May 24, 2009 - 6:02pm.

Baking schools in and around Joliet

Hi Michael,

I want to help you find something Michael, but to someone like me who doesn't know you, it seems you're putting a lot of limits on what you will do, and that's leaving you with few choices.

I know Chicago is a bit of a hike from Joliet, but you are in the extended Chicagoland area (I think). The French Pastry School and the Art Institute might offer casual weekend classes. Other less high-profile vocational schools might do it. And gourmet shops that sell cookware might do them. I wish I could help you more.

Submitted by Michael 2003 on May 24, 2009 - 9:01pm.

"it seems you're putting a

"it seems you're putting a lot of limits on what you will do, and that's leaving you with few choices"

All I said was I am not interested is signing up for a full blown cooking class, or commit to a culinary institute, just to learn how to bake bread.

Thanks for the ideas.

Submitted by sboberg on May 26, 2009 - 4:13am.

I taught myself by using

I taught myself by using Peter Reinhart's "The Bread Baker's Apprentice" and several other whole foods baking books.

Submitted by FamilyBaker on May 26, 2009 - 2:05pm.

I taught myself...for 100% whole wheat

I also taught myself by using The Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book that I borrowed from the local library & of course available on amazon.com it has an extensive first time bread making tutorial--maybe 20 pages if I remember correctly.

Also you might do a little searching on youtube there are quite a few bread making videos.

In my area one of the school districts puts out a catalog for "adult education" where they teach grown-ups at night in the high schools. One of the offerings is "how to make bread" taught by someone from "House of Breads".

Submitted by Danni-loves-2-cook on May 26, 2009 - 3:18pm.

Hi Michael, I've been

Hi Michael,

I've been teaching myself to bake bread since February and have learned a lot from the BBA by Peter Reinhart. The bread books listed on this site are great, but I find all the info here much more informative. Most people are willing to put their recipes in their message, so I just bookmark them and them bake away. I also think that even taking a class would result in learning the same way: following the recipe, reading different forums to make sure you understand the chemistry of bread, but mostly trial and error. I've thrown out my share of loaves, but have eaten many more than that. I don't even consider myself a beginner, but I'm getting there with my own starter and a great sourdough under my belt (no pun intended).

Well, good luck and remember to have some fun on this journey of good homemade bread.

Submitted by Freckleface on May 26, 2009 - 11:08pm.

baking classes at home

Check out your local library! When I started to make bread a few years ago, my "masters" were Father Dominic from Breaking Bread with Father Dominic and Steve from Video Bread.

You can check out more on those two guys here:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Nov2003/Feature1.asp

http://www.videobread.com/

You can also read the beginers guides on this website and watch the videos that The Back Home Bakery posted: http://thebackhomebakery.com/Tutorials.html

No, they're not someone standing right next to you telling you to put more flour, but they're the next best thing: free!

Submitted by Freckleface on May 27, 2009 - 12:21am.

Found another

I was looking up something on the KA site and I found this:

"Online baking classes

Looking to fit better baking into your busy schedule? Whether you live in Anchorage or right next door, our free, self-guided online classes will help you unlock the magic of bread baking, unravel the mystery of pie crust, and uncover the secrets of tender scones - all on your schedule, and from the comfort of your own home.

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/baking/online-baking-classes.html

Submitted by tjkoko on May 27, 2009 - 4:15am.

What helped improved the

What helped improved the overall quality of my bread, from heavy doorstop to real loaf with big holes, was a dvd offered at KA entitled ARTISAN BREADS by Michael Jubinsky.

Submitted by Danni-loves-2-cook on May 27, 2009 - 1:26pm.

Freckleface, Thanks for that

Freckleface, Thanks for that link to KA online lessons. They are FREE! That is so awesome! I appreciate the info and will read all the lessons.

Submitted by lmt1113 on March 6, 2010 - 4:54pm.

Any Luck

Hi Michael,

I too am looking for some bread making classes in Chicigoland. Have you had any luck? I live in Yorkville and work in Naperville so would like to find something somewhere in between.

Thanks,

Lisa

Submitted by vlr61 on March 24, 2011 - 7:14pm.

Submitted by reitri on February 1, 2012 - 2:28pm.