Special Events

BAKE! brings you rare learning opportunities with guest instructors from around the country offering a variety of talks, demonstrations and hands-on classes. Don't miss out!

A Demonstration with Martin Sorge

Join us for a demonstration with Martin Sorge, winner of the Great American Baking Show in 2023.

Labeled a “great baker” by the show's celebrity judges, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, Sorge shares innovative twists on classic recipes, helpful tips, and engaging food stories from his easy-to-follow debut cookbook, Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest (Agate Midway, August 2026).** Highlighting the accessibility of local flavors and simple ingredients, Sorge pays homage to his Midwestern roots. Now, anyone from home cooks just beginning to explore their pantries to experienced bakers can broaden their knowledge of delicious sweet and savory treats.

Meet the Baker & Author

From setting the microwave on fire as a young child trying to make a biscuit to thriving as an internationally-acclaimed home baker, Martin Sorge’s passion for baking has shaped his career. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sorge first began sharing kitchen content via a weekly newsletter, also titled Great Bakes. Now, Sorge continues to hone his skills as a Chicago-based baker, cook, food writer, and recipe developer, blending modern creativity with Midwest comfort to create recipes that feel, smell, and taste like home. His recipes and writing have appeared in numerous local and national publications, including Chicago magazine, the Chicago Tribune, Food & Wine, and TRINK Magazine. His debut cookbook, Great Bakes: Modern Classic Recipes from the Midwest, out in August 2026, compiles more than 100 of Sorge’s favorite Midwestern recipes. These delicious, kitchen-tested treats include cookies, crisps, breads, pastries, and— yes—biscuits, from the classic Cherry Pie to ambitious showstoppers worthy of Paul and Prue. Featuring step-by-step instructions and beautiful full-color photographs, Martin's cookbook provides bakers of every level with recipes and techniques they’ll reach for again and again. Martin also posts about baking on Instagram @martinsorge, his website martingbakes.com, and in his Substack newsletter, Great Bakes.

**A copy of the cookbook is included in the price of the class.

This class is demonstration only.

There will be a tasting of Martin's bakes throughout the evening.

Dates for the Class Class Format Price Class Status Register
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - 6:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
In-Person $75.00 21 spots left
Freshly milled flour and wheat berries in a Mockmill and a bowl

Mindful Bread Baking, Part 1

Bread, one of the most basic forms of sustenance that can be so delicious and comforting... And making it yourself in your own kitchen can be so addictive, too. That crunchy, caramelized, singing crust, moist crumb with irregular holes, aromas wafting from your oven, and the anticipation of how it will turn out every time....Can't beat that. Going beyond your favorite recipe, what if you could dig a little deeper and learn more about the why's of ingredients and processes used to make bread? In Part 1 of the Mindful Bread Baking series, we get curious about artisan bread's main ingredients with a focus on flour. We are artisan bakers, so we learn about baker's percentages to better understand recipes and communicate with each other. To top it off, we peek inside our favorite counter-top stone mill and pay a visit to our big stone mill in the Bakehouse.

This class is Part 1 of a 3-part technical lecture series meant as an enriching accompaniment to our hands-on classes and to serve as a foundation upon which to further build your skills as a home baker. It's full of scientific detail. Great for self-identified bread nerds and those just curious about the inner workings of artisan bread making.

 


 

Dates for the Class Class Format Price Class Status Register
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
In-Person $45.00 17 spots left
Hands kneading bread

Mindful Bread Baking, part 2

As covered in Part 1 of the Mindful Bread Baking series, you have your water, flour, yeast, and salt...but what happens next? How does that dough somehow turn into a beautiful, delicious loaf of bread? What are some of the key factors for a successful bake? How do you control fermentation? As it turns out, there's a lot happening behind the scenes once you mix up your ingredients and leave them to rest. In Part 2 of the Mindful Bread Baking series, we delve into mixing and fermentation for a closer look at what makes bread so magical!

You'll feel like you are in chemistry and physics class again!

This class is Part 2 of a 3-part technical lecture series meant as an enriching accompaniment to our hands on classes and to serve as a foundation upon which to further build your skills as a home baker. It's full of scientific detail. Great for self identified bread nerds and those just curious about the inner workings of artisan bread making.

Dates for the Class Class Format Price Class Status Register
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
In-Person $45.00 17 spots left

Mindful Bread Baking Part 3

Why does sourdough taste the way it does? How is it that it may seem more unpredictable or more involved than yeasted bread baking? What is a starter and how do you get one going, and bake with it? Before commercial yeast, a bubbling batter of wild yeasts and lactic acid bacteria were responsible for leavening most breads. In Part 3, the last installment of the Mindful Bread Baking series, we'll focus on the theory of sourdough or naturally leavened artisan baking, helping you understand how sourdough works and the factors that contribute to its nuances and success. Without putting on lab coats, we'll all get curious and try to answer any sourdough-related questions that may have arisen (pun intended) for you over the course of the 3-part lecture series.

This class is Part 3 of a 3-part technical lecture series meant as an enriching accompaniment to our hands-on classes and to serve as a foundation upon which to further build your skills as a home baker. It's full of scientific detail. Great for self-identified bread nerds and those just curious about the inner workings of artisan bread making.

Dates for the Class Class Format Price Class Status Register
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
In-Person $45.00 17 spots left

Fancy Schmancy Holiday Cookies 2026

Our most popular class of the year! 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Fancy Schmancy Holiday Cookies classes are here! Join us for our annual cookie-making extravaganza that’s always tasty and always festive. 

The 2026 cookie lineup has something for everybody. We'll be traveling the world, taking inspiration from Switzerland, Sweden, Hong Kong, and the USA. We’ve chosen recipes that balance flavor and technique, featuring a variety of nuts, fruits, chocolate, and spice. You'll leave class with a platters’-worth of cookies and the knowledge to make them for many holiday parties to come! 

Now on to this year's Fancy Schmancy Holiday Cookies. Drum roll, please…

Basler Leckerli—a traditional Swiss cookie with almonds and candied fruit; chewy and a little nutty. It tastes like the winter holidays.

Hong Kong Snowballs—Our head instructor, Sue Chagas, got creative with this one. It's a riff on a coconut-stuffed Hong Kong cocktail bun. Think shredded coconut filling in a vanilla scented short dough. It's gently flavored and not too sweet. You'll eat several before you realize it!

Chocolate Mint Cheers—tender chocolate icebox cookies cut into squares, dipped in dark chocolate mint ganache, and decorated with nonpareils and crushed candy cane. These sing the holidays. 

Regent Tartlette—A two-bite tart version of the Swedish Princess Cake! This is the showstopper of the class—super pretty, very tasty, and a little challenging to make. Get ready to practice pâte sucrée rolling and learn to make diplomat cream.

*While we can sometimes leave out ingredients, provide substitutions, or allow students to bring their own gluten-free flour, several of these cookies cannot be altered and still achieve success. If you have any questions regarding the need to make substitutions, please contact us so we can discuss what will be possible.

This Special Class has some Special Rules:

  • If you cancel a Fancy Schmancy Holiday Cookies class with 7 or more-days notice, you will receive a full refund or credit towards a future class.
  • Class credits will expire if not used within 5 years from the date of cancellation.
  • We're sorry, there will be no refunds or credits for Fancy Schmancy Holiday Cookies classes canceled with less than 7-days notice or for missed classes. You are welcome to send someone in your place.
  • If you'd like to transfer your class after booking, we're happy to help. There will be a $10 service fee.
*Ingredient kits will be shipped by the Monday before Thanksgiving (November 23rd). They will be available for pickup in the Bakeshop starting the Monday after Thanksgiving (November 30th). (Please check the Bakehouse website for special holiday hours.) Ingredient kit quantities are limited!
Dates for the Class Class Format Price Class Status Register
Saturday, November 28, 2026 - 8:00am - 12:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, November 28, 2026 - 8:15am - 12:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, November 28, 2026 - 1:15pm - 5:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, November 28, 2026 - 1:30pm - 5:30pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, November 29, 2026 - 8:00am - 12:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, November 29, 2026 - 8:15am - 12:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, November 29, 2026 - 1:15pm - 5:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, November 29, 2026 - 1:30pm - 5:30pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, November 29, 2026 - 1:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Virtual $85.00 3 spots left

Include

Tuesday, December 1, 2026 - 5:15pm - 9:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 - 5:30pm - 9:30pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 - 5:15pm - 9:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 - 5:30pm - 9:30pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Thursday, December 3, 2026 - 12:00pm - 4:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Thursday, December 3, 2026 - 12:15pm - 4:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Thursday, December 3, 2026 - 5:15pm - 9:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 5, 2026 - 8:00am - 12:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 5, 2026 - 8:15am - 12:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 5, 2026 - 1:15pm - 5:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 5, 2026 - 1:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Virtual $85.00 8 spots left

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Sunday, December 6, 2026 - 8:00am - 12:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, December 6, 2026 - 8:15am - 12:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, December 6, 2026 - 1:15pm - 5:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, December 6, 2026 - 1:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Virtual $85.00 8 spots left

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Tuesday, December 8, 2026 - 5:30pm - 9:30pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Wednesday, December 9, 2026 - 12:00pm - 4:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Wednesday, December 9, 2026 - 5:15pm - 9:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Wednesday, December 9, 2026 - 5:30pm - 9:30pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Thursday, December 10, 2026 - 12:00pm - 4:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Thursday, December 10, 2026 - 12:15pm - 4:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Thursday, December 10, 2026 - 5:15pm - 9:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Thursday, December 10, 2026 - 5:30pm - 9:30pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Friday, December 11, 2026 - 1:00pm - 5:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Friday, December 11, 2026 - 1:15pm - 5:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 12, 2026 - 8:00am - 12:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 12, 2026 - 8:15am - 12:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 12, 2026 - 1:15pm - 5:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 12, 2026 - 1:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Virtual $85.00 7 spots left

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Sunday, December 13, 2026 - 8:15am - 12:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Tuesday, December 15, 2026 - 5:15pm - 9:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Tuesday, December 15, 2026 - 5:30pm - 9:30pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Wednesday, December 16, 2026 - 5:15pm - 9:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Thursday, December 17, 2026 - 12:15pm - 4:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Friday, December 18, 2026 - 1:00pm - 5:00pm EST
Virtual $85.00 9 spots left

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Friday, December 18, 2026 - 1:00pm - 5:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Friday, December 18, 2026 - 1:15pm - 5:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 19, 2026 - 8:15am - 12:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 19, 2026 - 1:15pm - 5:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Saturday, December 19, 2026 - 1:30pm - 5:30pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, December 20, 2026 - 8:00am - 12:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, December 20, 2026 - 8:15am - 12:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, December 20, 2026 - 1:15pm - 5:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Sunday, December 20, 2026 - 1:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Virtual $85.00 9 spots left

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Monday, December 21, 2026 - 9:00am - 1:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Monday, December 21, 2026 - 10:00am - 2:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Tuesday, December 22, 2026 - 12:00pm - 4:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Tuesday, December 22, 2026 - 12:15pm - 4:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Tuesday, December 22, 2026 - 1:00pm - 5:00pm EST
Virtual $85.00 9 spots left

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Wednesday, December 23, 2026 - 1:15pm - 5:15pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Wednesday, December 23, 2026 - 1:30pm - 5:30pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist
Thursday, December 24, 2026 - 9:00am - 1:00pm EST
In-Person $145.00 Sold out Add me to the waitlist