CHRIS BAKES IN OJAI

Experience

Hands-on Classes

I've been baking sourdough bread for 15 years - for myself, family and friends. It all started after reading an article about a lady making dog biscuits in her mini Manhatten appartment. I have no idea what that has to do with bread but I bought THE book from Tartin Bakery and just started baking - and loved it.

Hands-on Classes

3 hour classes are held in your or my kitchen and other select venues. We'll focus on one kind of loaf per class and go through the whole process - including weighing, mixing, resting, shaping and baking. After we bake we'll taste the bread with different sides paired with the bread and wine and other beverages. Choose from the following types of sourdough bread:

Baguette
Bagel
Cookie
Brioche
Scone
Egg Noodles
Pumpernickel

Take home some starter and start baking at home - check out some of my recipes here.

View and book classes

My Mission

Hands-on Classes

My Mission

I want you to have fun learning how to bake the most delicious sourdough bread with the simplest tools possible. It'll be hands-on through the whole process - you'll love feeling the strength of the dough develop over time - and hearing the crackling of the crust when it comes out of the oven. And the smell - and the taste - oh my!

I'm @chrisbakesinojai on Instagram and YouTube.

What people are saying

Peggy

Stacey

Our baguette baking class was fantastic! As an experienced bread baker myself, I still learned so much about the art and science of this ancient craft from Master Baker, Chris Ritke. My friends and I had such fun learning Chris’s unique recipe, new skills, and invaluable techniques. Then we ravaged slices of our crusty golden baguette — the best ever — with fresh butter, Chris’ homemade peach preserves, and ripe brie in this charmingly chic provincial restaurant, Meiners Heritage Table. What a great bonding experience this would be for families, friends, and work colleagues! Best marks for Chris Bakes in Ojai!

Stacey

There is nothing better tasting than my friend Chris Ritke's bread. So lucky that we got to take a 3 hr sourdough bread baking class today. Eating it afterwards, right out of the oven, with yummy butter and fresh peach jam was complete heaven. Take a class with him.