Maria Baradell, also known as @leadandloafco to her numerous social media followers, gained widespread attention on TikTok recently for showcasing how she managed to create sourdough bread from scratch while flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet. This viral video captured the attention of many viewers and has been viewed over 1.8 million times combined as of now.
Maria Baradell, a resident of Dallas, Texas, embarked on a journey to Barcelona, Spain, to reunite with her sister after a six-year separation. In the current social media landscape where making homemade sourdough bread has become a trend, Baradell took the opportunity to document her bread-making process during her travel.
Prior to her departure from Dallas, Baradell ensured that her sourdough starter was well-fed and ready for use later in the day. On her American Airlines flight from Chicago to Barcelona, she was seen mixing water, starter, flour, and salt in a large bowl on her connecting flight. She made sure not to disturb her seatmates by boarding early and swiftly mixing the ingredients before they settled in.
Despite her unusual activity on the flight, Baradell mentioned that she did not encounter any issues with fellow passengers or flight attendants. She engaged in conversations with other travelers about her bread-making endeavor and stated that she did not believe anyone even noticed her actions during the flight.
During the flight, Baradell performed various bread-making techniques such as stretching and folding, coil folding, and fermenting – all while utilizing her tray table as a workspace. She noted that due to the airplane’s altitude, humidity, and temperature, the sourdough required additional time to ferment before it was ready for baking.
Upon reaching her sister’s kitchen in Spain, Baradell further prepared the dough by pre-shaping it, allowing it to rest, shaping it again, and letting it cold proof for an additional 20 hours before baking it. Despite receiving some criticism on social media for her in-flight bread-making experiment, Baradell addressed concerns raised by users regarding potential risks to those with Celiac disease, ensuring that she prioritized cleanliness and safety throughout the process.
Celiac disease, defined as an immune reaction to consuming gluten, poses a risk to individuals with gluten intolerance. Some social media users expressed support for Baradell’s unconventional bread-making method, lauding her dedication and passion for baking. Baradell, originally from Venezuela, shared her journey into sourdough bread-making, which started in early 2024 and has since blossomed into a thriving business venture.
Her ultimate goal is to popularize bread-making in America by sharing helpful tips and content on social media platforms. Currently, Baradell bakes over 60 loaves of bread weekly for her local community, showcasing her commitment to spreading the joy of baking to others.
