I can’t deny I do love a baking and cooking class, at one point you could say I was a little addicted as I just kept attending them. The attraction for me comprised mainly of three things, I loved to see what delights I could learn to bake in the kitchen; I loved meeting new people, invariably there would be people like me on their own and of course I just loved the fact I could escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and have some fun.
I have tried so many different classes from the most magical cookery class at Michel Roux Junior’s cookery school with Monica Galletti, now this was an experience I will never forget. Then there was a full day with John Whaite learning all things baking and his hospitality was just superb to the point I had to go back 3 months later for another class.
There’s been cupcake decorating with Eric Lanlard ‘aka Cakeboy’ plus numerous cake decorating and sugar paste classes all over the Country.
The fun that can be had on an online baking class is also amazing, and I know hosting my own I personally get as much fun from it as the people attending. Whilst online baking classes have dramatically increased, people I speak to are also now looking to book in person classes again, which is so exciting.
For me there’s a class for everyone and I thought I’d share my 5 top tips of what to look for when choosing a baking experience:
Have a look at what you will be making, sometimes it’s just one thing you are learning for instance my macaron half day class we bake macarons twice so people have two chances to bake.
Other times there will be a mixture for instance I have been on sweet dough classes and another a selection of different sponge cakes. A great example would be my pastry class where we get to have fun making short crust pastry, puff pastry and even choux pastry.
There are lots of classes like this, so have a think what it is you would love to learn.
There are also options for full day and half day classes and generally the full day classes would offer many more combinations of creations. Some of my online classes take place over a couple of days for the dough to prove overnight so check the timings of classes to suit your availability.
I have travelled far and wide to attend classes and yet a couple of years ago I would never have imagined I would have attended an online class, never mind hosting them myself. When searching classes to travel to I always found it helpful to see how easy it is to get to a location by driving or public transport.
For classes further afield we have always tried to combine it with an adventure of some sorts be it as a family or a weekend away with my husband, this way I get to go and create edible delights with a group of people and my family get to have fun too.
For people travelling to me I feel really lucky, as whilst I’m in a gorgeous rural setting I am only 10 minutes away from Shrewsbury Railway station or if driving I’m really easy to get to from major road networks.
This can be a really important aspect for many people and the majority of classes I have attended in person would be around 12 participants, but I have also been on 1-2-1 sessions.
The class size for in-person events is predominantly based on the size of the venue and for me hosting baking classes in my kitchen the class size is between 3 or 4 students depending on what we are creating.
For online classes then this gives so many more options and the class sizes can be large. Even though it’s online I still love the interaction and to be able to see what people are doing and to check if they need more help.
My online classes are generally held on zoom, so people can ask questions as we go and if it’s an evening class we get a chance to raise a glass at the end and chat whilst our delights are baking. If it’s a team or private class then I would normally make sure everyone has finished baking and then leave them to carry on talking, making it even more of an event for that group.
If the information isn’t shown and the size of the class is important to you then I would ask the host in advance.
I always look at what the class is covering and it may even show the level of complexity.
For me baking can be learnt by anyone and the amount of people I have baked with online who have said it was the first time they have ever attempted something, and they were delighted with the result, so don’t be put off by this.
Last on my list but definitely not least! For me this is where an in-person class can really make a class feel like an escape from the day-to-day hustle and bustle and a real day out.
I love to feel spoiled when I go to a class so for me this is such an important element to the day, for instance my classes start with hot drinks and freshly made pastries, if it’s a full day class then a homemade lunch is also included as are drinks throughout the day. I have been to some classes where I have had to take my own lunch so check what’s included in the price that you pay.
I hope that you find this useful when looking for a baking class whether it’s for you or for a present for someone else, and for now have a fabulous time baking.
Love Caroline xxx
I can’t deny I do love a baking and cooking class, at one point you could say I was a little addicted as I just kept attending them. The attraction for me comprised mainly of three things, I loved to see what delights I could learn to bake in the kitchen; I loved meeting new people, invariably there would be people like me on their own and of course I just loved the fact I could escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and have some fun.
I have tried so many different classes from the most magical cookery class at Michel Roux Junior’s cookery school with Monica Galletti, now this was an experience I will never forget. Then there was a full day with John Whaite learning all things baking and his hospitality was just superb to the point I had to go back 3 months later for another class.
There’s been cupcake decorating with Eric Lanlard ‘aka Cakeboy’ plus numerous cake decorating and sugar paste classes all over the Country.
The fun that can be had on an online baking class is also amazing, and I know hosting my own I personally get as much fun from it as the people attending. Whilst online baking classes have dramatically increased, people I speak to are also now looking to book in person classes again, which is so exciting.
For me there’s a class for everyone and I thought I’d share my 5 top tips of what to look for when choosing a baking experience:
Have a look at what you will be making, sometimes it’s just one thing you are learning for instance my macaron half day class we bake macarons twice so people have two chances to bake.
Other times there will be a mixture for instance I have been on sweet dough classes and another a selection of different sponge cakes. A great example would be my pastry class where we get to have fun making short crust pastry, puff pastry and even choux pastry.
There are lots of classes like this, so have a think what it is you would love to learn.
There are also options for full day and half day classes and generally the full day classes would offer many more combinations of creations. Some of my online classes take place over a couple of days for the dough to prove overnight so check the timings of classes to suit your availability.
I have travelled far and wide to attend classes and yet a couple of years ago I would never have imagined I would have attended an online class, never mind hosting them myself. When searching classes to travel to I always found it helpful to see how easy it is to get to a location by driving or public transport.
For classes further afield we have always tried to combine it with an adventure of some sorts be it as a family or a weekend away with my husband, this way I get to go and create edible delights with a group of people and my family get to have fun too.
For people travelling to me I feel really lucky, as whilst I’m in a gorgeous rural setting I am only 10 minutes away from Shrewsbury Railway station or if driving I’m really easy to get to from major road networks.
This can be a really important aspect for many people and the majority of classes I have attended in person would be around 12 participants, but I have also been on 1-2-1 sessions.
The class size for in-person events is predominantly based on the size of the venue and for me hosting baking classes in my kitchen the class size is between 3 or 4 students depending on what we are creating.
For online classes then this gives so many more options and the class sizes can be large. Even though it’s online I still love the interaction and to be able to see what people are doing and to check if they need more help.
My online classes are generally held on zoom, so people can ask questions as we go and if it’s an evening class we get a chance to raise a glass at the end and chat whilst our delights are baking. If it’s a team or private class then I would normally make sure everyone has finished baking and then leave them to carry on talking, making it even more of an event for that group.
If the information isn’t shown and the size of the class is important to you then I would ask the host in advance.
I always look at what the class is covering and it may even show the level of complexity.
For me baking can be learnt by anyone and the amount of people I have baked with online who have said it was the first time they have ever attempted something, and they were delighted with the result, so don’t be put off by this.
Last on my list but definitely not least! For me this is where an in-person class can really make a class feel like an escape from the day-to-day hustle and bustle and a real day out.
I love to feel spoiled when I go to a class so for me this is such an important element to the day, for instance my classes start with hot drinks and freshly made pastries, if it’s a full day class then a homemade lunch is also included as are drinks throughout the day. I have been to some classes where I have had to take my own lunch so check what’s included in the price that you pay.
I hope that you find this useful when looking for a baking class whether it’s for you or for a present for someone else, and for now have a fabulous time baking.
Love Caroline xxx
