Welcome to Chillspice
Hi, I’m Bethany—and my husband Adam and I have been happily married for nearly 30 years.
Our home is our haven, a place of peace in a busy world. We begin each day in quiet time with our Lord Jesus Christ, grounding ourselves before the day begins.
My sourdough journey began out of necessity during the early days of the Covid lockdowns, when bread and yeast disappeared from the grocery store shelves. One day, I went to grab ingredients to make sandwiches for my ravenous teenage boys but there was no bread, and no yeast either! That was the moment everything changed. I decided to go home and order a sourdough starter online and learn everything there was to know about it and never be without one again!
In April 2020, Greta—the name I gave my 230+ year-old San Francisco starter—was born. From the moment I pulled my first golden loaf from the oven, I was hooked. I felt so much better eating it and realized that I may have had a mild gluten sensitivity myself. Baking became a daily ritual. I experimented, failed, learned, and eventually had way more bread than we could eat. I started giving loaves away to neighbors and friends, and before long, they were asking to learn how to make it themselves.
Teaching them through text didn’t work (I got a lot of questions!), so I started developing a simple system for consistent sourdough success. About a year and a half in, someone suggested I teach a workshop. A few weeks later, I did and I never stopped. Since then, I’ve taught nearly 1,500 students through in-person and online sourdough workshops.
I still pinch myself that this is what I get to do. Helping others learn this beautiful craft brings me so much joy. Sourdough is more than just bread—it’s a creative, therapeutic process that brings nourishment, joy, and even healing.
I especially love seeing the faces of gluten-sensitive students light up when I tell them that long-fermented sourdough is 95% gluten-free—and that they just might be able to enjoy bread again.
This blog is here to help you avoid the mistakes I made and guide you toward consistent, beautiful loaves. With practice, your bread will only get better!
So, why “Chillspice”?
Even as a little girl, I loved to bake. I still remember the thrill of getting my first Easy-Bake Oven and baking cookies and cakes for my three younger siblings (who were very honest taste-testers). In high school, my friends nicknamed me “Betty Crocker.” I even made my first sourdough starter at 15—but without the internet, I didn’t know what I was doing and, sadly, that starter didn’t last.
I grew up in the cold north, where winters meant cozy days spent baking with my mom. She taught me how to make cinnamon rolls, cookies, and our traditional orange dough knots. Things were pretty CHILL where I came from.
WHEN I MET MY HUSBAND FROM ARIZONA, I ALSO MET “CILANTRO.”
WHERE HAD THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE? IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, AND TASTE!
Along with him came bold spice. I discovered homemade salsa, and his mom’s red chile burritos. The northern food I grew up with, while comforting, didn’t hold a candle to these bold new flavors. I had to learn how to make everything!
And that’s how “Chillspice” was born: two flavor profiles from two corners of the country. Chill, cozy comfort and spicy, bold flavor blended into one. (Also, the domain was available, and I hadn’t found my niche yet so we kept it vague just in case!)
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know me! I’m so excited to share everything I’ve learned about sourdough with you.
If you’d like intimate support on your sourdough journey consider joining our sourdough club for only $5.99 a month!
Live Monthly Zoom Sourdough Workshops, weekly Q&A calls, free sourdough starter. Get access to my Super Simple Sourdough Workshop and my Advanced Sourdough Workshop to challenge you no matter where you are in your journey. Click here to learn more.
Happy baking!
Bethany
