Sourdough Bread Baking Contest

A community event celebrating bakers, sourdough bread, cheese, wine, and beer

Friday, March 3rd, 5:30PM-7:30PM

Dewey Memorial Hall, 91 Main Street, Sheffield, MA

Tickets as follows:

Bakers: $15 to register and attend

Spectators: $30

Head over to Dewey Hall for our sourdough bread-baking competition on Friday, March 3rd! We are celebrating this art by giving local home bakers a chance to show their skill, and offering attendees a fun culinary experience.

The origins of sourdough bread date to around 14,000 years ago, according to archeological evidence. The use of yeast, however, is relatively recent in the history of bread making, dating to the past 150 years. Before that, sourdough culture was the only leavening agent—and that traditional method has experienced a resurgence in home baking.

Whether you are a bread baker or a bread lover, this event is for you! Bakers will enter two full-size loaves of bread, one for tasting/judging and one to be raffled off. Attendees will be invited to sample the contestants' breads along with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic offerings from DéPart plus cheese from Rubiner’s Cheesemongers. They will also have the opportunity to win loaves of freshly baked sourdough bread and other prizes via a raffle—please bring cash for tickets, which benefit Dewey Hall. 

Our emcee for the evening is Writer/Performer Melanie Greenberg (The Elephant in the Room) and live music will be performed by the Michael Junkins Duo. The culinary judges will be Jean-Francois Bizalion of Bizalion's Fine Foods, Richard Bourdon of Berkshire Mountain Bakery, Travis Brecher of Creature Breads, and Katy Sparks of Edible Natural World.

This year’s Sourdough Bread contest is preceded by a virtual Sourdough Bread Workshop with Richard Bourdon of Berkshire Mountain Bakery and hosted by Sarah North of Found Bread. The workshop will be held on February 16th via Zoom. Pre-registration is required: https://secure.givelively.org/event/dewey-memorial-hall-inc/dewey-hall-sourdough-bread-workshop-with-richard-bourdon

Dewey Memorial Hall was built in 1887 by The Sheffield Friendly Union, a community organization with the mission “to promote kindly feelings, cheerfulness, and intelligence.” Dewey Hall has been focusing on how to make that mission relevant in today’s world with a series of “Community Gala” fundraising events.

This event is being underwritten by DéPart Wine who are providing the beverages. Additional sponsors include Rubiner’s Cheesemongers and TapRoot Sessions. Dewey Hall is producing this event with the help of committee co-chairs Evelyn Battaglia (Food Writer/Cookbook Editor/Berkshire Edge Special Projects Editor) and Sherri Gorelick (avid home baker and 2022 contest entrant!), who have offered their culinary expertise to the organizational team for this event. 

Bakers who wish to enter may pre-register and purchase their ticket here by February 20th: https://forms.gle/bubBgVR5G9mzhbw36

Tickets for spectators include bread, wine, and cheese tastings, and can be purchased here:

https://secure.givelively.org/event/dewey-memorial-hall-inc/sourdough-bread-contest-2023

For more information visit https://www.deweyhall.org/dewey-hall-calendar/2023/3/3/sourdough-bread-baking-contest

Contact us at deweymemorialhall@gmail.com or call (413) 413 1322