Students learned how to make challah during the third class of the Sitka Kitch‘s Winter Baking Series, Challah With Robin Sherman, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Sitka Kitch rental commercial kitchen.

Robin grew up in New York City, so she enjoys good challah. Students learned how to make the dough, how to proof the dough, and how to weave it into shape. They also learned why sometimes challah is woven and sometimes it’s in a spiral shape. Challah is a traditional bread of Jewish origin.

The next class in the Winter Baking Series is a second Sourdough Bread With Carolyn Rice class, which takes place from 6-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Sitka Kitch. This class is full, and people will need to contact Chandler or Clarice at Sitka Conservation Society (747-7509) to get on the waiting list. Carolyn taught another class on baking sourdough bread on Jan. 14 to open the Winter Baking Series, and there was enough popular demand for her to teach a second class.

After that, the next class in the series will be Brioche (and Pizza) with Andrew Jylkka, who just moved to Sitka from Wrangell and bakes for Beak Restaurant. This class will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. (note earlier start time) on Tuesday, March 17, at the Sitka Kitch. The class costs $40 ($30 for Sitka Food Co-op members who are current on their dues, only one discount per family), and the registration deadline is late night on Sunday, March 15. More classes in the series will be announced as their information is finalized.

Also, the Sitka Kitch is hosting a vegetarian Indian food buffet fundraiser and silent auction from 5:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at Beak Restaurant. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the silent auction closes at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited for this event, so register early (this event is starting to fill up and will close soon). The cost is $40, with all proceeds going to the Sitka Kitch to promote new classes. A slideshow of scenes from the bagels class is posted below.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.