2026 Workshop Programme

Dr Vanessa Kimbell is a fourth-generation baker who holds her doctorate in Baking as Lifestyle Medicine and Preventative Health. Founder of The Sourdough School in Northamptonshire, she has spent over 40 years exploring the relationship between bread, fermentation, and human health. Her evidence-based BALM Protocol ' integrated into NHS practice at Bethlem Royal Hospital's ADRU Unit ' demonstrates that properly made sourdough bread can measurably improve gut microbiome diversity and mental health markers. Day to day, Dr Kimbell cis a Lifecode trained Practitioner and creates therapeutic loaves tailored to individual genetic variants, including MTHFR. A passionate educator and systems-change advocate, Vanessa has taught thousands of bakers globally, authored multiple internationally translated books, and trained in France and alongside masters including Richard Hart at Tartine and Gabriele Bonci. The Proven Bread Programme applies Lifestyle Medicine foundations, gut nourishment optimisation and nutrigenetics principles. Her sixth book, PROVEN, publishes in November 2026.