That time my sourdough starter went flat on a big order

I was in my home kitchen in Tacoma about two years ago, prepping for a 50-loaf order for a local cafe. My starter, which I'd fed the night before, was completely dead in the morning, no bubbles at all. I think my kitchen got too cold overnight. I had to scramble and borrow some active starter from a friend across town, which set me back three hours. We still got the order out, but it was a close call. What's your go-to move when a starter fails you right before a bake?

2 comments

2 Comments

marktorres9d ago

Borrowing starter is smart, but I keep a dried backup in my freezer for exactly this kind of panic.

davis.dakota9d ago

Man that sinking feeling when your starter just gives up is the worst. @marktorres has the right idea with a backup, it's like having a spare key for your house. I see this everywhere, people relying on one thing and then life happens. My old car taught me that lesson, always keep a backup plan for the important stuff. Makes the panic moments way less scary.