Workshop: Bread Baking–From Hearth to Campfire

Workshop Description

Baking bread is one of humanity’s oldest culinary arts, and there are as many ways to bake it as there are cultures who make it. In this immersive session, we’ll explore how bread changes when baked in different heat sources—our wood stove oven, a miniature stacked‑stone oven modeled after those used by Kettle Valley Railway work crews, and even over an open fire. We’ll work with sourdough starters, quick breads, and other heritage loaves, learning how to adapt recipes to the tools and fuel at hand. Along the way, you’ll pick up valuable tips on flour selection, fermentation, shaping, and baking techniques that will allow you to confidently bake in almost any setting, from your home oven to a campsite. And yes—there will be plenty of warm bread to taste.

Additional Information

All workshops are led by Chris Mathieson, General Manager of the Grist Mill and Gardens Historic Site. Chris is an experienced heritage site interpreter, educator, and culinary leader with a passion for connecting people to history through hands‑on food experiences. These three‑hour sessions take place primarily outdoors—often under the shelter of our Summer Kitchen, in the historic Apple House, or elsewhere on the site—making use of our wood‑fired ovens, open‑fire pits, and other heritage‑inspired cooking equipment. Dress comfortably for the weather and be ready to roll up your sleeves.

Custom, private workshops can be arranged for groups, families, or special events—please inquire for details.

For these workshops, we’re offering a range of prices depending on your ability to pay. The more “Benefactor” tickets we sell, the more subsidized ones we can offer.

Series Description

For generations, the summer kitchen was the heart of domestic life during the hot months in the Similkameen Valley—a breezy, shaded space where meals were prepared, chores completed, and crafts undertaken in comfort. At the Grist Mill and Gardens, our own Summer Kitchen continues that tradition, hosting costumed volunteers baking treats, preserving food, or hand‑dipping candles, and occasionally transforming into a charming stage for our intimate summer concerts. This August, join us for a special series of three‑hour, hands‑on workshops celebrating the history, ingenuity, and community spirit of this space. Drawing on heritage cooking techniques, seasonal abundance, and the unique resources of our site, each session blends history with practical skills you can take home.