From kneading loaves of artisan bread to making the shiniest macarons, SoGlos has whipped up an inspirational selection of 15 of Gloucestershire’s very best baking classes.
With The Great British Bake Off back on Channel 4 from Tuesday 13 September 2022, if you're inspired you to don your apron, get a little expert help in the kitchen and become a baker worthy of that coveted Hollywood handshake, look no further…
Baking classes at Hobbs House Bakery Cookery School
The family-run Hobbs House Bakery boasts five generations of baking heritage. Baking courses are taught by experienced staff, including The Fabulous Baker Brothers, Tom and Henry Herbert — with children and adults learning how to make loaves, doughnuts, pastries and more at the Chipping Sodbury cooking school.
Baking classes at Edible Art Patisserie
As well as being home to Cheltenham’s dreamiest desserts, Edible Art Patisserie in Montpellier offers regular masterclasses for artistic cooks. Run by Damien Wager, courses include chocolate and macaron making, teaching different modern patisserie techniques.
Baking classes at Harts Barn Cookery School
Set in a Forest of Dean location, Harts Barn Cookery School believes in classes that are accessible, affordable and fun. Try your hand at gluten-free baking or making artisan sourdough bread, while the kids can have a go at developing their own chocolate creations, with seasonal baking classes too.
Baking classes at The Artisan Baker
Ideal for anyone struggling with their sourdough starter or kneading technique, The Artisan Baker in Stroud's Five Valleys food hall offers bread making masterclasses for crafting the perfect loaf. Finesse your sourdough-making skills or learn how to make organic bread rolls, focaccia and soda bread with the bakery's founder, Ori Hellerstein.
Baking classes at Daylesford Farm Cookery School
Professional chefs are on hand to offer advice, while students take advantage of the organic farm’s produce to make some spectacular creations at the Daylesford Farm Cookery School, near Kingham. Focusing on simple dishes, classes are designed to spark a beginner’s passion for food, with more advanced classes, including artisan bread making, for the more ambitious.
Baking classes at the Natural Cookery School
Master the art of vegan baking at the Natural Cookery School, which runs plant-based cookery classes from its culinary space in Nailsworth, using whole grains, fresh local produce and organic ingredients. Aspiring bakers will learn how to use a gelatine substitute to create plant-based puds and explore the various ways to replace eggs to make their bakes vegan-friendly.
Baking classes at Foodworks Cookery School
Located on the private estate of Colesbourne Park near Cheltenham, Foodworks Cookery School helps budding bakers reach professional heights. Expect to learn how to create delicious desserts and sumptuous savouries, with its introduction to patisserie session teaching Bake Off fans how to make choux pastry, Italian meringue and more.
Baking classes at The Cotswolds Baking Workshop
Welcoming bakers of all levels into her kitchen in nearby Shipston-on-Stour, Susie Whitfield from The Cotswolds Baking Workshop offers laid-back classes for small groups, teaching guests how to make everything from American-style bagels and traditional Portuguese tarts, to Italian staples like ciabatta, amaretti biscuits and sweet cannoli with creamy fillings.
Baking classes at Alice Through The Year
From hot cross buns at Easter to festive mince pies, Alice Through The Year sees pro chef Alice Robertson running seasonal cookery classes from her Cotswold kitchen in Beckford. Her mid-week meal workshops are great for aspiring home cooks, showing guests how to deliver a hearty meal from fridge to table in half an hour, while ambitious bakers can learn how to craft a show-stopping high-tea in her dedicated afternoon tea workshop.
Baking classes at Severn Bites
Having trained in France, professional breadmaker Danielle Ellis shares her extensive knowledge during bread making classes at Severn Bites in Gloucester. Using mainly local ingredients, students can learn how to master everything from sweet doughs and pastry to bread and seasonal treats.
Baking classes at the Cake and Sugarcraft Boutique
The custom cake-makers at the Cake and Sugarcraft Boutique can help you make your bakes beautiful, with classes in cake decorating, model making and sugar flower creation. Choose to learn in a small group or one-on-one at its bakery in Bishops Cleeve.
Baking classes at Eckington Manor Cookery School
Head just over the border to Worcestershire to brush up on your baking skills at Eckington Manor’s state-of-the-art cookery school, where you can create show-stopping desserts and learn how to make your own pastry for pies and puds. There’s also the chance to pick up tips on cooking using an AGA.
Baking classes at Thyme at Southrop
Thyme at Southrop specialises in 'field to plate' cookery classes, where guests are taught by an expert chef to harvest their own ingredients straight from its kitchen garden. Take the two-hour 'master a dish' class to perfect your patisserie, or participate in a four-hour 'cook and dine' session to create and serve a feast from scratch.
Baking classes at Gloucestershire College
For those pursuing a serious career as a catering professional, Gloucestershire College has a number of courses that fit the bill perfectly. From a diploma in professional cookery to an introduction to patisserie and confectionery, there are plenty of opportunities to hone your skills and unleash your inner Prue Leith.
Baking classes at The Old Bakehouse Cookery School
Welcoming novice cooks and beginner bakers into her kitchen, Annabel O'Sullivan runs The Old Bakehouse Cookery School from her home near Cirencester, with a special passion for teaching young adults how to cook for themselves when they fly the nest. Creating bespoke classes to suit your individual needs, learn from a mixture of demonstrations and rolling up your sleeves to get stuck in.
