Sourdough Starter

Our Sourdough Starter is in Knead of a Name!

36 years old. Millions of loaves baked. Locked in a vault. A living legend…yet still nameless. It is finally our starter’s time to shine, but first, it needs a name!

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NAME OUR SOURDOUGH STARTER

Our Sourdough Starter is in Knead of a Name!

36 years old. Millions of loaves baked. Locked in a vault. A living legend…yet still nameless. It is finally our starter’s time to shine, but first, it needs a name!

Time Left to Enter

 
Days
 
Hours
 
Minutes
 
Seconds

NAME OUR SOURDOUGH STARTER

Our original sourdough starter has been part of every La Brea Bakery loaf since day one. Back in 1989, after a year of trial and error, it finally came to life - thanks to flour, water, and a little wild magic from grape skins. Who knew?! Creating a starter takes patience and time…kind of like raising a child!

WIN THE ULTIMATE SOURDOUGH EXPERIENCE

Grand Prize winner gets a Sourdough Starter Kit packed with everything you need to bake at home, plus a $250 gift card to create an unforgettable spread with your fresh loaves.

How it Works

  • Drop your brilliant name idea in the form — the  first 100 entries score a free loaf of bread!
  • On October 8th, 2025 we’ll reveal the Top 5 finalists (BONUS: each finalist wins a year's worth of free La Brea Bakery bread AND our From Starter to Finish cookbook)
  • Come back to vote for your favorite name
  • The grand prize winner will be announced on Instagram Monday, October 20, 2025!

*Don’t ferment too long: We’re only accepting entries through Oct. 6!

Keep it Short, Clever, and a Little Punny

Think Sir Rise-a-Lot or Doughly Parton. Our starter’s a legend and deserves a name as iconic as its loaf legacy.

Claim bragging rights - name an icon!

La Brea Bakery Sourdough:
24 Hours to Artisan Perfection

Tip 1

Our DNA

Our founder spent over a year experimenting before striking gold or in this case, dough. She used wild yeast from grape skins to create the legendary sourdough starter that is now the DNA of every La Brea Bakery loaf. A little wild, a lot iconic.

Tip 2

Not One, But Two

Our bread takes its sweet time to make - 24 hours to be exact. With not one, but two fermentation stages(!), it develops bold flavor and a crispy, golden crust. You won’t just taste the difference — you will hear and smell it too.

Tip 3

Relaxed and Chill

Not all sourdoughs are cut from the same loaf. Ours skips the sharp tang of traditional San Francisco sourdough for a milder, smoother vibe — like a true SoCal local: relaxed, approachable, and totally chill.

From Starter to Finish…our 24-Hour Artisan Process

  • SOURDOUGH STARTER
  • SHAPING & MIXING
  • FIRST FERMENTATION
  • SCORING THE BREAD
  • SECOND FERMENTATION
  • BAKING THE BREAD
  • COOLING OR FREEZING

Our True Sourdough Story

Every delicious La Brea Bakery loaf begins with our original sourdough starter, a living culture of wild yeast that makes our sourdough true sourdough. Flour, water, and time.

Tip 1

Naturally Delicious

True sourdough gets its distinctive flavor and health benefits from wild yeast, simple ingredients, and time. Long fermentation builds deep, rich flavor, while resting the dough creates a golden, crispy crust and a soft, airy center.

Tip 2

Better for You

Not only delicious, but real sourdough plays a role in your overall health.

  • Easier to digest
  • Less gluten
  • Prebiotic properties
  • Lower glycemic index
  • Higher fiber
Tip 3

What Makes Real Sourdough?

There are many sourdough claims out there, but true, authentic sourdough contains:

  • Minimal ingredients: Flour, water, and salt
  • A slow-rise process (at least 12 hours)
  • No dough conditioners
  • No vinegar or sugar

The Rise: Secrets Behind La Brea Bakery

  • Video coming soon
    The Starter of it All
  • Video coming soon
    Time is the Secret Ingredient
  • Video coming soon
    The Perfect Crust Every Time
  • Video coming soon
    Benefits of Sourdough

Meet the Original Six

Born in our café on La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles, the ‘Original Six’ were crafted with our signature sourdough base and plenty of extra time to build bold, unforgettable flavor. Today, these legendary sourdough loaves are still made with the same recipe, ingredients, and process that started it all.

  • Country White Sourdough Loaf
  • Olive Loaf
  • Roasted Garlic Loaf
  • Rosemary Olive Oil Round
  • Sourdough Baguette
  • Sourdough Loaf

Find Your Next Favorite Recipe

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