A smart countertop device from FirstBuild and King Arthur Baking takes the guesswork out of maintaining a healthy sourdough starter, and it’s the perfect Father’s Day gift if your dad is into baking – or thinking about taking it up.

Sourdough baking has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in recent years, evolving from a pandemic-era hobby into a lasting movement among home bakers. Yet for many people, the biggest obstacle isn’t baking the bread itself — it’s maintaining the starter.

Feedings need to happen on schedule, temperatures matter, discard can feel wasteful, and a neglected starter can quickly become an expensive science experiment. For many would-be bakers, that complexity is enough to prevent them from ever getting started.

That’s the problem the Sourdough Sidekick aims to solve.

Developed by FirstBuild, the innovation hub behind products like the Opal Nugget Ice Maker, and co-created with King Arthur Baking Company, the Sourdough Sidekick is a countertop appliance designed to automate sourdough starter maintenance while giving bakers greater control over timing and consistency.

After spending time using the device in my own kitchen, I came away genuinely impressed.

Why Sourdough Starters Intimidate New Bakers

Traditional sourdough baking requires maintaining a living culture of flour and water that must be fed regularly to remain healthy and active.

For experienced bakers, this routine becomes second nature. For beginners, however, it can feel daunting.

Questions quickly arise:

• Did I feed it enough?
• Did I feed it too much?
• Is my kitchen too cold?
• Is it ready to bake with?
• What do I do with all the discard?

The Sourdough Sidekick tackles these questions head-on by automating much of the maintenance process while still preserving the craft and satisfaction of baking with natural sourdough.

A Smart Approach To Starter Management

The feature I found myself using most was the appliance’s Auto Mode, which is also likely to be the most popular setting for new bakers.

The concept is simple. Tell the Sidekick how much starter you need and when you need it, and the device handles the rest.

Fill the flour hopper and water reservoir, add a small amount of existing starter, and the machine automatically manages the feeding schedule. It even monitors ambient kitchen temperature and adjusts feedings accordingly.

Rather than performing large feedings, the Sidekick uses a micro-feeding approach to gradually build the starter, helping maintain activity and reducing waste.

The result is a healthy, active starter ready when you want to bake.

For me, this was perhaps the biggest advantage. Instead of trying to remember feeding schedules throughout the week, I could simply plan ahead and have starter ready at a convenient day and time.

More Control For Experienced Bakers

While Auto Mode is designed for convenience, the Sidekick also includes two additional operating modes.

Ratio Mode

Ratio Mode follows more traditional feeding schedules and ratios while still automating the process. This strikes a nice balance between convenience and established sourdough practices.

Custom Mode

For experienced bakers who enjoy experimentation, Custom Mode allows precise control over flour quantities, water quantities, and feeding timing.

This flexibility means the appliance can grow with a baker’s experience rather than becoming obsolete once basic skills are mastered.

Living With The Sourdough Sidekick

Designed with input from real bakers, the Sourdough Sidekick makes sourdough starter maintenance approachable for beginners and experienced bakers alike

One of my concerns before using the appliance was whether it would be difficult to maintain or clean.

Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.

The glass crock lifts out easily, the mixing paddle is straightforward to clean, and refilling the flour and water reservoirs is simple. There are no complicated cleaning routines or awkward maintenance procedures.

The unit also occupies less counter space than I initially expected.

As with any sourdough starter, I found it helpful to keep the appliance away from direct sunlight, but otherwise it integrated naturally into the kitchen.

What stood out most was how approachable the entire process felt. The Sidekick removes much of the anxiety surrounding starter maintenance while leaving the enjoyable parts of sourdough baking untouched.

Making The Most Of Discard

One of the common frustrations among sourdough bakers is discard.

The Sidekick’s feeding system significantly reduces discard requirements, but for bakers who do generate some excess starter, King Arthur Baking provides numerous ways to put it to good use.

From pancakes and crackers to waffles and other baked goods, discard becomes an ingredient rather than a waste product. The included guidance and recipes help ensure that very little goes to waste.

The Innovation Behind The Product

The Sourdough Sidekick was developed through FirstBuild’s collaborative innovation process and refined alongside a community of sourdough enthusiasts

The Sourdough Sidekick’s development story is almost as interesting as the product itself.

The concept was developed through FirstBuild’s collaborative innovation model and refined alongside a community of bakers and sourdough enthusiasts. When the project launched on Indiegogo in 2025, it reached its funding goal in just 12 minutes.

That enthusiasm reflected a genuine demand for a solution to one of home baking’s most persistent challenges.

The partnership with King Arthur Baking Company adds additional credibility, combining appliance innovation with centuries of baking expertise.

A Thoughtful Father’s Day Gift

One unexpected benefit of the Sourdough Sidekick is that it makes a surprisingly compelling gift for the aspiring baker.

When I mentioned the device to my father-in-law, he immediately understood the appeal. He had previously experimented with sourdough baking but eventually abandoned it because keeping a starter healthy required more time and attention than he could realistically commit to.

That reaction highlights exactly why the Sidekick exists. Many people are interested in sourdough baking, but the ongoing maintenance of the starter becomes a barrier. By automating that process, the device makes the hobby accessible again.

With Father’s Day approaching, the Sidekick strikes an unusual balance between practicality and novelty. It is not a gadget that ends up forgotten in a cupboard; it actively enables a hobby that many people would otherwise struggle to maintain.

For fathers, grandfathers, and anyone who has always wanted to bake sourdough but found the starter management intimidating, it could be one of the most thoughtful kitchen gifts of the year.

Review Verdict

Pros

• Extremely easy to use
• Flexible scheduling
• Healthy, reliable starter production
• Temperature-aware feeding adjustments
• Minimal cleaning required
• Reduces starter maintenance anxiety
• Suitable for both beginners and experienced bakers

Cons

• Premium price point at $179.99
• Best value for people who bake regularly

Final Thoughts

The Sourdough Sidekick succeeds because it solves a real problem.

Rather than trying to reinvent sourdough baking, it removes one of the biggest barriers preventing people from enjoying it in the first place.

For experienced bakers, it offers convenience and consistency. For beginners, it removes much of the intimidation factor surrounding starter maintenance.

Most importantly, it makes sourdough baking feel accessible.

If you’ve ever been curious about baking sourdough but were put off by the commitment required to maintain a starter, the Sourdough Sidekick may be one of the most practical kitchen innovations you’ll buy this year.

The post Making Sourdough Baking Accessible appeared first on Tech Trends.

Soylent lets you dodge those pesky food cravings.

We’ve all been there. As the long months of winter drag on, getting home after another long commute through the cold and the rain. You turn on the news, and switch it straight off, because Brexit is still not a bad dream after all. It’s ever so tempting to dial for that takeaway or reach for the comfort food, but it’s only January and you’re trying hard to be good.

As @Schwarzenegger will tell you, there is simply no magic pill where it comes to keeping fit
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As Arnold Schwarzenegger will tell you, there is simply no magic pill where it comes to keeping fit, but there are things that can help you stay on the right track. One of those things is not being hungry while making decisions about what to eat, and that’s where drinks like Soylent come in handy. It’s a ready-to-drink high protein concoction that has been specially designed to give you the nutrients you need while avoiding those pesky cravings.

There is no magic pill. There are no shortcuts. There are only reps, reps, reps. To be your best, you’re going to have to work your butt off. But we are here to help at @weareladder. Join us: https://t.co/O45VLvWEXt #lifeisaworkout #thereisnomagicpill pic.twitter.com/HsTAkDpIjy

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) January 3, 2019

I like it specially because it doesn’t need be refrigerated, so you can keep an emergency bottle in your bag or car for whenever the need arises. I took it with me on a massive road trip a while back and was pretty fine with not eating anything else, plus it’s available in a coffee blend that helped to keep me alert without resorting to energy drinks, most of which I can’t stand. As a bonus, it’s also a really environmentally-friendly product.

“Soylent has been developed with the planet in mind. A vegan and nut-free drink, it uses plant-based protein to ensure less water is utilized and less CO2 is produced compared to the process to source protein from livestock. The innovative drink design also reduces food waste – with a year-long shelf life from the manufacture and no need for refrigeration until opened, Soylent is able to stay fresh and tasting great for longer,” explained Andrew Thomas, VP of Brand Marketing for Soylent.

Soylent has been developed with the planet in mind. A vegan and nut-free drink, it uses plant-based protein to ensure less water is utilized and less CO2 is produced compared to the process to source protein from livestock
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Now Soylent announced a partnership with Endpoint team, supporting them in their campaign to become the first UK esports league team to reach the global top 30. Just a few days ago, the team competed in the ESL CS:GO Premiership Winter Finals, the world’s longest-running professional CS:GO league which they’ve dominated for the past two years and saw them pip top esports teams to the post in the Counterstrike tournament.

“Soylent was developed to help people dodge food voids, which is our way of describing those situations in which you make unwise food decisions you’ll likely regret. Food Voids are usually borne out of a lack of time to find a healthy meal, so it was a natural fit for us to help fuel the Endpoint’s success with our ready-to-drink meals, which contain the nutrition they need when training and competing,” says Thomas. “The Endpoint team is on the cusp of becoming one of the most successful esports teams in the UK, so this partnership was a no-brainer.”

Research conducted by Soylent in the UK  uncovered that almost a quarter of gamers skip one meal every day, especially when in the heat of (an online) battle or the midst of an epic quest. Currently Endpoint have a gaming house in the north of England which they use as a boot camping facility, and last year Soylent fuelled an Endpoint boot camp which took place 10 days before Insomnia Gaming Tournament 2018 in which the team championed.

It’s ever so tempting to dial for that takeaway or reach for the comfort food, but it’s only January and you’re trying hard to be good
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Research conducted by Soylent in the UK uncovered that almost a quarter of gamers skip one meal every day
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Soylent was originally developed in Silicon Valley and has been doing really well in the U.S. (In January it was the top grocery product on Amazon.com) being stocked by Walmart, 7-11, Kroger and other retail giants. You can now also order Soylent in the UK via Amazon priced at £39.00 for a case of 12 bottles (£3.25 per bottle).

Alice Bonasio is a VR and Digital Transformation Consultant and Tech Trends’ Editor in Chief. She also regularly writes for Fast Company, Ars Technica, Quartz, Wired and others. Connect with her on LinkedIn and follow @alicebonasio on Twitter.

The post Healthy High-Tech Fuel For Your New Year’s Resolutions appeared first on Tech Trends.

Since the entire United Kingdom seems unable to focus on anything else but the future of the country’s most beloved TV show, I thought it was one of those “If you can’t beat them, join them” moments.

Will 3-D printing make for a stress-free #bakeoff future?
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For the record, I enjoy baking as much as the next person, but stop short of believing that the move of said TV show (The Great British Bake-Off in case you’re one of those unenlightened individuals who have no idea what I’m going on about) from one TV Channel to another constitutes the end of civilisation as we know it.

But baking is an interesting activity to bring tech into, actually, because it’s one of those things that a lot of people find both relaxing and stressful in equal measures. And there is a lot of debate around what constitutes “cheating”.

Baking is an interesting activity to bring tech into
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So when I got an invite to a demo of a Food Printer prototype that promised to produce pizzas, cookies, macaroons, chocolate and icing decorations I was intrigued to see what those would look like.

This food printing prototype can make pizzas, cookies and macaroons
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XYZ is one of the largest 3D Printing manufacturers out there, but this is their first foray into the food market. It brings, as one might expect, some considerable challenges.

First of all, the printer requires you to carefully mix your icing /dough/batter and load it into cartridges. Once that’s done, you’re able to use their software to turn any image into 3D shapes, but realistically this only works well with fairly uncomplicated designs. The Union Jack one came out quite well, although it took a considerable amount of time to churn out.

The creations then have to, of course, be baked separately, so realistically you are going to spend a lot more time and effort than it’s worth at this stage to get your cookie fix, but there’s a certain Jetsons-like appeal to the idea of doing it this way. Much like drone technology, it might all seem pointlessly convoluted and expensive right now, but things are advancing rapidly, and we’ll probably live to see the day where these things actually make it to our kitchen counter in one form or another.

we’ll probably live to see the day where these things makes it to our kitchen counter in some form
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At which point you might very well be sending your smart 3D printer a text on the way home to let it know to have a pizza and some cookies waiting. In the meantime, best take a leaf from Mary Berry’s book and get your baking mitts on.

The post Great British Print-Off? appeared first on Tech Trends.

Think you haven’t got time to take a lunch break? Consider it a time investment that pays off in the long-term.

Last year, a survey found out that over a third of British office workers ate pretty much the same lunch every single day. Not only that, but they tended to do it at their desks, taking less than half an hour ‘break’ to consume the ‘meal’, which — as it turned out — was most likely to be a cheese sandwich.

Over a third of British office workers eat the same lunch every day: a cheese sandwich
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Now don’t get me wrong, cheese sandwiches have their place, but I can’t help thinking that there has to be more to life than eating the same thing all the time? In fact, the workers surveyed didn’t seem to be that fond of their sandwiches, but instead blamed habit and convenience as key factors in making that choice (over and over again).

But if you think that you’re getting more accomplished by skipping lunch, think again. Far from making you more productive, these “working lunches” can actually sap your creativity. Kimberly Elsbach, a professor of management at UC-Davis, says that working without breaks exhausts our cognitive capacity and makes us less able to make creative connections: “If you’re skipping lunch to continue to push forward in a very intense cognitive capacity, then you’re probably not doing yourself any favours,” she says.

Far from making you more productive working lunches can actually sap away your creativity
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Then there are the social benefits of interacting with your colleagues. We know that employees who socialize together in the workplace tend to build stronger bonds, and as management consultant Dr Ben Waber told the New York Times, employers should structure work to make sure that people have those opportunities, because “when we look at what makes people happy and effective at work, it’s being able to spend time with a close group of people”.

Employees who socialize together in the workplace tend to build stronger bonds
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Companies like Google, who are often voted as the best and most productive workplaces in the world, have long realised the power of food in bringing people together and making them happier and more creative. They even went so far as designing the queues in their canteens so that people had a chance to talk while waiting. Food and the rituals around it are, it seems, perfect triggers for social interaction, and employers would do well to encourage this in the workplace.

Google famously designed its lunch canteen queues to encourage people to talk to each other while waiting
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Of course, not all employers can afford to provide staff with free lunches, and as that survey demonstrates, we are creatures of habit who, left to our own devices, are likely to fall back on the easy option. We also know that home-cooked food is tastier and healthier than mass-produced supermarket fare, but with busy lives, most of us opt to grab that extra half an hour of sleep rather than packing a healthy lunch.

People will often opt to get some extra sleep rather than getting up earlier to make a packed lunch
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The answer? Making sure that the best option is also the most convenient. I remember my last office was right around the corner from Leather Lane Market in Farringdon, which had a wonderful array of restaurants and street food. However, instead of walking two minutes to get lunch there, most of my colleagues went to the supermarket next door for their cheese sandwich. These were people who loved their food, but… the supermarket was right there! The irony is that there was such a lunchtime rush at that supermarket that they probably spent twice as long standing at the checkout line than it would have taken them to stroll down to the market.

The answer might be to make the healthiest options more convenient
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We spend so much of our time at work, so wouldn’t it be nice if we could have all the goodness of a fresh, home-made lunch, delivered to your desk? That was some of the thinking behind a company called Trybe, which is connecting passionate home cooks to people who love food but don’t necessarily have the time to cook it themselves. If the survey above is anything to go by, they’ve got their work cut out for them, but if they succeed they could help make London offices a lot more sociable and productive.

Alice Bonasio is a VR Consultant and Tech Trends’ Editor in Chief. She also regularly writes for Fast Company, Ars Technica, Quartz, Wired and others. Connect with her on LinkedIn and follow @alicebonasio and @techtrends_tech on Twitter.

The post How Lunching at Your Desk Eats Away at Your Productivity appeared first on Tech Trends.