BOH/FOH

Ryan

A podcast for folks in the hospitality industry on both sides of the pass featuring stories both inspiring and occasionally disappointing. The interviews are anonymous as are the establishments. The intention behind the recordings are to celebrate those working in the trenches, elucidate  on some interesting human behavior in restaurants and celebrating what makes the industry exciting… 

Episodes

  1. Aug 26

    BOH/FOH 9: Bread

    In this episode we discuss a bit about the history of bread and bread making, the return of Artisan bread in the 80’s and a look at what’s been learned and how it’s applied today.  Brittney's Bread    My Sourdough Journey: From Pandemic Dream to Fresh-Baked Reality How It Started My sourdough journey actually began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like so many others, I found myself unexpectedly laid off from work. I wanted to learn something completely new and fell in love with the idea of making artisan sourdough bread from scratch. Going All In   Before I ever baked a loaf, I invested in all the tools I thought I'd need:   Banneton proofing basket Silicone bread sling Dough whisk Bread scoring lame and extra blades Dough cutter Plastic dough scraper Cleaning brush Bread flour and supplies   I was completely ready to become a sourdough baker.   The First Attempt   I started developing my sourdough starter in my tiny 300-square-foot apartment.   Unfortunately...   A living sourdough starter has a very distinct aroma. In such a small space, there was no escaping the smell. It simply wasn't practical.   So I packed everything away and put the dream on hold.   A Fresh Start in 2025   Everything changed when I moved into a larger home in 2025.   While unpacking, I rediscovered the unopened tools I'd purchased years earlier.   It felt like the perfect sign to finally begin again.   This time, I was determined to see it through.   Bringing My Starter to Life   I created my starter using only:   Bread flour Spring water   Every day I discarded, fed, and waited.   Then one morning...   It happened.   My starter more than doubled in size.   It was alive.   It was bubbly.   It smelled beautifully fermented.   That was the moment I knew I was finally ready to bake my very first loaf.   My Go-To Sourdough Recipe Ingredients 100 g active sourdough starter 350 g warm spring water 500 g bread flour 10–12 g flaky salt Mix the Dough Combine all ingredients. Use a dough whisk until a shaggy dough forms. Cover with a dish towel or shower cap. Rest for one hour. Stretch and Folds   After the one-hour rest:   Perform three rounds of stretch and folds.   First stretch and fold Wait 30 minutes Second stretch and fold Wait 30 minutes Third stretch and fold   These folds build strength without kneading.   Bulk Fermentation   After the final stretch and fold:   Cover the dough. Leave it at room temperature. Allow it to rise until it has doubled in size. This can take anywhere from 8-14 hours depending on factors such as room temperature and starter strength    Patience is everything during this stage.   Shaping the Dough   Once doubled:   Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently stretch it into a rectangle. Fold the top third down. Fold the bottom third up. Starting from the open end, roll the dough into a tight ball.   To seal the seam:   Roll the dough gently back and forth with your hands in a candy cane motion until the bottom is smooth and sealed. Cold Proof Generously flour the banneton with rice flour. Place the dough seam-side up into the basket. Cover. Refrigerate for 8–12 hours.   The overnight cold proof develops incredible flavor and makes scoring much easier.   Baking Day Preheat Place your ceramic-lined cast iron Dutch oven and lid into the oven. Preheat to 500°F. Prepare the Dough Remove the banneton from the refrigerator. Remove the cover. Place the silicone bread sling over the open side of the basket. Carefully flip the dough onto your work surface. Slowly peel away the banneton. Score   Using a bread lame:   Make at least one confident, deep score from one side of the loaf to the other.   This allows the bread to expand while baking.   Bake   Once the oven reaches 500°F:   Lower the temperature to 450°F. Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven. Transfer the dough using the silicone sling. Cover with the lid.   Bake for 22 minutes and 22 seconds.   Then:   Remove the lid. Lower the oven temperature to 425°F. Continue baking for about 20 more minutes, or until the crust reaches your preferred color and crispness. The Hardest Part   When the loaf comes out of the oven:   Resist the urge to cut into it. Allow it to cool for at least one hour.   It will still be warm, but cooling allows the crumb to finish setting, giving you the perfect texture inside.   What Sourdough Has Taught Me Good things take time. Tiny daily habits create incredible results. You can't rush fermentation—or life. Sometimes dreams have to wait for the right season. Four years after buying all the tools, I finally baked the bread I had imagined back in 2020.   Every loaf reminds me that patience, persistence, and a little flour and water can create something truly beautiful. Support the show

    BOH/FOH 9: Bread

About

A podcast for folks in the hospitality industry on both sides of the pass featuring stories both inspiring and occasionally disappointing. The interviews are anonymous as are the establishments. The intention behind the recordings are to celebrate those working in the trenches, elucidate  on some interesting human behavior in restaurants and celebrating what makes the industry exciting…