The Sourdough School

BALM – Proven as one of the healthiest approaches to bread in the world.

Based in the walled gardens of Dr. Vanessa Kimbell's beautiful Victorian home in rural Northamptonshire, UK, we tutor individuals and train bakers and healthcare professionals in Baking as Lifestyle Medicine (BALM). Personalising bread to your lifestyle, gut microbiome, and unique genetics for optimal health—tailoring fermentation, fibre, and diversity so that your daily bread becomes the foundation of your health.

+44(0)7813308301
[email protected]
Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Student Login

Schedule a Call to Learn More

Navigation
  • Home
    • About The Sourdough School
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • Request a Callback
    • Practical Information
    • The Team
    • A Social Enterprise
    • General FAQ’s about The School
    • Contributors & Guest Tutors
    • What Our Students Say
    • Login
  • Courses
    • Priority Access: Join the Waiting List
    • Workshops
    • Bake For Health Retreat
    • Tuscan Retreat
    • Diploma
  • Assessments
    • Bread & Health Assessment
    • Gut Health Assessment
    • Nutrigenomic Assessment
  • Our Approach
    • Baking as Lifestyle Medicine (BALM)
    • 12 Week Student Support Pack
    • Bread as Preventative Health
    • Personalising Bread Using Nutrigenetics
    • Training Bakers & Healthcare Professionals
    • Diversity Bread™
    • Prove it – The Case Studies
    • BALM & Bread in The Blue Zone
    • Proven: Bread Podcast
  • Admissions
    • Request a callback
    • Location, Opening Hours & Course Days & Times
    • Reviews
  • Shop
    • Our Flour and Ingredients
    • Our Books
    • Equipment
    • Flours From Farmers Directory
    • Add Farmer to the Directory

What are the Graduation Steps

The ultimate outcome of this process is not only a validation of your learning but also a recipe that embodies the principles of BALM and can be shared with others. This approach allows for a more thorough assessment of your understanding and practical application of the course material, fostering an environment of shared learning and community building.

  • Complete the Community Recipe Worksheet: This involves recording all the relevant information and cited studies necessary to create your unique recipe.
  • Submit the Recipe: Once the worksheet is completed, you should submit your recipe for review. This involves following strict guidelines to ensure adherence to the principles of BALM. Some key points to remember include:
    • Hyperlinking terms using the provided glossary.
    • Stating the relevance of your recipe to the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.
    • Ensuring your recipe produces two servings (Bake 2, Give 1).
    • Highlighting who would benefit from your recipe, considering social and digestive aspects.
    • Recommending a point in your recipe for movement, such as walking or dancing, and using the opportunity to exercise as a functional movement.
    • Suggestions of symbiotic recipes.
    • Detailing and explaining your chosen fermentation methods and timings.
    • Referencing at least seven studies from the research library.
  • Graduation Appointment: After submission, you should schedule an appointment with your instructor to discuss the recipe and proceed with graduation.
  • Provide Feedback: Filling out the feedback form helps the program understand the community’s experiences and needs better. It contributes to improvements in services, resources, and content.
  • Stay as an Alumni: Post-graduation, you have the opportunity to continue accessing course materials and attend live baking sessions for a monthly fee.

If you are already a student, then click here to follow the graduation steps. 

 

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Email Sign Up

BANT Member
Lifecode GX

Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2025 Vanessa Kimbell
Call +44 (0)7813308301 | Email [email protected]
Registered in England & Wales: 08412236
Website by Callia Web