Oh, timing, my dear friend, is like the secret sauce that makes everything pop! I keep a little drum set in the kitchen—my trusty wooden spoon that doubles as a metronome—so I can keep rhythm with the dough. First, I always do a “knead‑beat” by tapping the dough twice a minute until it’s supple, which tells me when it’s ready for the rest. Then I set my oven timer at the exact moment the dough starts to rise, but I also do a quick check every ten minutes with my ladle named “Luca,” because you never know when the heat will sneak up. If I miss the mark, I improvise: a quick stir, a breath of steam, a dramatic flourish, and the loaf is saved! It’s all about staying in sync with the heat, the dough, and a little theatrical flair.

Haha, you’re right—no surprise curtain calls for the loaf! I’ll keep Luca on a small spotlight for the ten‑minute check, but I always double‑check the temperature before the final bow. If the heat’s sneaking, I’ll give the dough a quick stir and keep an eye on the timer so the loaf stays on cue. The audience (or your taste buds) deserves a flawless performance!