Hey Reader!

This book launch has been overwhelming in the best way. Between events, media spots, and hundreds of messages and emails, it has been nonstop. If I have missed replying to you, I am sorry, but please know how much I appreciate all the encouragement and positive words. It has meant the world to me.

Some days, I honestly do not know how we manage it all with two kids and a busy schedule, but here we are. It is a little crazy, but it is also incredibly rewarding. For once, I actually have a night off so instead of writing this newsletter late at night, I am sneaking it in early Thursday morning before heading downtown for a date night with my wife.

We are going to see Ludovico Einaudi. This feels especially meaningful for me. When I was writing the book during the pandemic, my cousin passed away. His music helped me through a really rough patch when I was stuck at home. That turned into me listening to it while writing the book, and honestly, a good chunk of the book was written with his music playing in the background. The other two artists that got me through were DJ Chris Luno and Deadmau5, totally different vibes, but between those three playlists, about ninety-nine percent of the book was written. So tonight I get to enjoy the show in person, and it feels like a full-circle moment.

If you are nearby, here are a couple of upcoming events where I would love to see you:
📍 Elora, Ontario — Seasons Home and Gift​
🗓️ This Sunday, October 5, from 1–3 pm

📍 Toronto — Cheese Boutique​
🗓️ Next Saturday, October 11, from 11–2 pm

Come by, say hello, and grab a signed copy of Bread, Etc.

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Turmeric Sourdough for Fall 🍂

I had the chance to be a guest on The Social today, where we talked about different kinds of sourdough and how to make them with inclusions. One recipe I always come back to in the fall is my Turmeric Sourdough with Roasted Seeds and Cherries.

The turmeric gives the dough a beautiful golden colour and a subtle earthy flavour. Roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds add crunch, and the cherries bring just the right amount of tartness. It is one of those breads that looks impressive and tastes even better.

Get the Turmeric Sourdough Recipe

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One Spot Left – MOF Workshop 👨‍🍳

This is wild. I opened three different sessions for the upcoming MOF Alexandre Laumain workshop and all three sold out very quickly.

Because of a deposit non payment there is now one spot available for November 6 and 7.

If you are not familiar, Alexandre is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF), which is one of the highest honours in the French culinary world. He was also crowned Best Bread Baker in the World at the Mondial du Pain in Tokyo. He is flying in from France just for these workshops and this is a rare chance to learn directly from him in a very small hands on setting.

📅 November 6–7, 2025​
📍 Stouffville, Ontario (just north of Markham)
🍞 Two full days of baking with Alexandre, plus all ingredients, lunches, recipe handouts, and plenty of bread to take home

👉 If you want the final seat, you can secure it now at the link below. I do not expect it to last long!

Reserve Your Spot Now 🇫🇷

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Jalapeño Cheddar Sourdough 🌶🧀

For my segment on The Social this week, I baked one of the all-time favourites from the baking studio, Jalapeño Cheddar Sourdough. It is always a hit, and with plenty of jalapeños still around at the local farmers’ markets, now is the perfect time to make it.

There is just something about the combination of spicy jalapeños and melty cheddar that people love. The tang of sourdough ties it all together into a loaf that is hearty, bold, and perfect for sharing.

Get the Jalapeño Cheddar Sourdough Recipe

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Reader Bake - Caroline

One of my favourite messages this week came from Caroline, a new baker who’s been diving into my first book Bread, Etc. She and her husband had a date night and chose to make the Juniper & Frankie’s Cheese Pizza. Not only did she absolutely crush it, but seeing that recipe tagged and shared was the cutest thing ever.

Moments like this are why I included family recipes in the book; they’re simple, joyful, and meant to be shared. This one is a staple in our house, and I love knowing it’s finding a place in other kitchens, too.

If you’ve been baking from the book, I’d love to see your creations. Please tag me on Instagram or hit reply with a photo. And if you’ve been enjoying the book, reviews on Amazon go a long way in helping more bakers find it. Video reviews are especially powerful (shoutout to Dennis for his amazing one, thank you!).

👉 Leave a Review on Amazon

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This week in the micro bakery 🕺 Woah… A Lotta Baking! Busy doesn’t even begin to describe it. Coming off the book launch party and the Mary Berg Show, I rolled right into a demo for 65 people at Stratford Chefs School and an appearance on The Social. For Stratford, I demo'd some pan pizza from the book and a 100% rye sourdough (you can find the recipe in my book or another version here: How to Make Sourdough Rye Bread). For The Social, I showcased a bunch of recipes from the book. And somewhere in between all that, I managed to bake a 50% whole wheat sourdough for my bread group (recipe here: 50% Whole Wheat Sourdough If you have not tried it yet, it is a beauty). Events like these require a ton of prep and organization, and I always end up over-baking, so there is plenty to share. Especially for TV, in fact, at the Social and Mary Berg building I now have a bit of a reputation. They told me I bring more food than anyone they have ever had on the show. Woot woot! I love it though it’s memorable, and I get to hand out bread like Oprah: you get one, and you get one, and you get one! No brand-new recipes this week, but we’ve got some fun ones coming, and of course, the upcoming MOF workshop is going to be epic.

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Happy Baking,

MJD

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