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View compareFood and Mood Retreat
Food isn’t just fuel
it’s culture, memory, emotion, and healing. At this one-day retreat, bread-making becomes a gateway to understanding how what we eat shapes how we feel, and how we connect with each other.
3 REASONS TO JOIN
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Bake & Belong
Learn the art of sourdough while exploring how food shapes mood and brain health.
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SCIENCE MADE SIMPLE
Practical, evidence-based insights from Dr Miguel & Dr Alex.
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TOOLS FOR LIFE
Leave with everyday strategies to support your body, brain, and sense of wellbeing.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
SCIENCE, STORIES & SOURDOUGH
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Dr Toribio-Mateas
Clinical Neuroscientist & Nutritionist
A clinical neuroscientist and nutritionist specialising in the gut–brain axis and mental health. He’s led research on fermented foods, ADHD and nutritional psychiatry, and holds honorary roles at Cardiff University and the University of West London—making complex science practical and human. -
Dr Davidson
GP & Functional Medicine
A GP and functional medicine practitioner with academic roots at Imperial, UCL and Cambridge. She focuses on gut health, autoimmunity, fatigue and mental health, blending lifestyle and nutrition across NHS and private practice; formerly Medical Director at The Sourdough School and now CMO at a preventative health-tech company. -
Chris Brownlow
Founder, Bread with Benefits
Founder and “Gentleman Baker,” Chris brings a background in agronomy and food production (including managing potato farming for Tayto Crisps) and training from Dublin Cookery School and The Sourdough School. He hosts hands-on sourdough experiences in the Boyne Valley that connect gut health, sustainability and community.
What You Can Expect
Expect laughter, learning, and loaves. This retreat is as much about connection and joy as it is about science. We’ll mix, knead, and bake together, while opening space for conversations about food, mood, and the gut-brain connection. Our aim is to make this a soul-nourishing experience.
HOW THE DAY LOOKS
WELCOME & BEGIN
Please arrive by 9:50 am for a 10 am start. There is plenty of free, secure parking onsite.
We’ll kick off by mixing the dough, grounding the day in hands-on baking and friendly conversation. Alongside, Dr Miguel and Dr Alex will share why sourdough fermentation is so much more than tradition, it’s a living science that connects nutrition, gut health, and community.
SNACK CREATIONS
Fresh from the skillet: sourdough pancakes with a sugar-free compote and creamy, full-fat yoghurt. While the batter bubbles, we’ll dive into how fermentation transforms simple ingredients into gut-friendly food.
We’ll also make sourdough crackers, paired with a mushroom & seaweed pâté and a walnut & red pepper dip.
As we prepare and taste together, you’ll learn how the microbiome responds to diversity, colour, and fibre, and why snacks like these can be both joyful and functional.
DEMO & CULTURED BUTTER
Watch or join our grain-to-flour demonstration, showing how ancient grains are transformed into modern nourishment. Alongside the demo, we’ll explain what’s lost in ultra-processed flours, and why traditional approaches matter for metabolic health and flavour alike. You’ll also get to make your own cultured butter, a delicious, probiotic-rich treat to take home.
Expect to leave with new appreciation for the humble butter churn, and its microbiological magic. Dr Alex & Dr Miguel will be answering all your questions throughout!
LUNCH & LOAVES
We’ll prepare a plant-based lunch together, featuring freshly baked sourdough made with ancient grains.
Over lunch, Miguel will explore the gut-brain benefits of slow carbs, fibre, and polyphenols, while Alex shares practical tips on making these foods fit into real-life busy schedules.
The day culminates with baking your own sourdough loaf to take home, a perfect way to extend the joy (and science) of the day.
WRAP-UP
At around 3 pm, we’ll conclude the day, full of food, connection, and new skills. Before you leave, we’ll recap the key scientific takeaways: from how sourdough affects your microbiome and blood sugar, to how shared meals contribute to physical and mental wellbeing.
And don’t worry, all recipes and methods will be emailed afterwards, so you can keep baking (and nourishing your gut) at home.
“As a neuroscientist and nutrition and mental health researcher, I’m fascinated by how food shapes not just our bodies, but our minds and emotions. Sourdough and other fermented foods are more than staples. They’re daily reminders of how the gut and brain are connected. My mission is to help people rediscover food as a source of resilience, pleasure, and connection, turning science into something you can truly feel in your everyday life.”
Dr. Miguel Toribio-Mateas
"As a GP, I now see so much preventable illness in my clinical practice — my mission is to educate and empower people to reclaim their health through simple, nourishing choices. From sourdough to fermented foods to eating the rainbow, it’s about finding joy in the kitchen and strength in everyday lifestyle changes.”
Dr. Alex Davidson
Our Food & Mood Retreat Experts
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Dr. Miguel Toribio-Mateas
Learn MoreDr Miguel Toribio-Mateas is a clinical neuroscientist, nutritionist, and applied microbiologist whose research focuses on the gut–brain axis and mental health. He has led studies on fermented foods, ADHD, and nutritional psychiatry, holding honorary roles at Cardiff University and the University of West London. Miguel combines science with compassion, advocating inclusive approaches to food and mood while authoring his forthcoming book ADHD Body and Mind (2026).
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Dr Alex Davidson
Learn MoreDr Alex Davidson is a GP and Functional Medicine practitioner with a background in academic medicine at Imperial, UCL, and Cambridge. She specialises in gut health, autoimmunity, fatigue, and mental health, integrating lifestyle and nutrition into her NHS and private practice. Alex has also worked as Medical Director at the Sourdough School and is currently Chief Medical Officer at a Health Tech company developing AI in preventative medicine.
What People Think...
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Food & Mood Retreat different from a regular Bread Day?
What sets this retreat apart is that it’s not just about bread—it’s a holistic blend of sourdough baking, science, and stories that connect body, brain, and belonging. Unlike a typical Bread Day, which focuses primarily on sourdough techniques, this event integrates practical, evidence-based insights from Dr Miguel & Dr Alex to explore how food shapes mood and brain health.
What happens if I have allergies or dietary restrictions?
We’re happy to accommodate dietary needs! Please let us know about any allergies ahead of time, and gluten-free variations can be arranged to ensure you’re supported throughout the retreat.
What can I expect from the day?
You’ll experience a mix of laughter, learning, and loaves. The morning (starting at around 10 am) includes hands-on sourdough making, followed by immersive conversations about food, mood, and the gut-brain connection. The retreat is designed to be soul-nourishing, offering both personal connection and actionable tools for life to support body, brain, and well-being
Who are Dr Miguel & Dr Alex, and what do they bring to the retreat?
Dr Miguel and Dr Alex bring the science to life. They offer science made simple—practical, evidence-based explanations that connect how our food choices influence our mood, mental clarity, and gut health. Their collaborative approach ensures this isn’t just a hands-on workshop—it’s a deeply informed wellness experience.