Beginner’s Bread-making John Lawrence will be running a one-day course to help people to improve their bread-making skills. The course will combine hands–on baking with an understanding of what is going on in bread-making and will cover:

• Three different rising methods: sourdough, yeast and soda

• The role of gluten and alternatives as used in brioche

• Several flour types including white, wholemeal, rye, spelt and also non-gluten flours such as teff, rice, corn and channa dhal.

• Working dough

• Different presentational styles and flavourings

John is keen to help people develop a feel for the subject so they can experiment in their own bread-making. After this course you’ll be confident you can make delicious, healthy bread that rises, and you’ll come away with 4-5 loaves for dinner, breakfast or the freezer. We will provide all ingredients (£7 per person) and baking tins, some notes on bread-making and recipes for the loaves you will have made.

NB:  We shall NOT be making a white loaf, but you can adapt your new skills to doing that at home!

What to bring:   Participants should aim to bring with them the following:

• 2 mixing bowls, 8” – 10” diameter

• a wooden spoon

• if you like, an apron

• if possible,  electronic weighing scales and a roasting dish which can also be used to take your loaves away in

• some flavourings such as nuts, seeds, cinnamon or raisins to add you your loaves

• a small kilner jar, if you would like to take home some sourdough leaven

COURSE AVAILABILITY:   October - 10 places (as of May 26)

Comments from past students:

Lovely venue.  Easy to ask questions.  Good size group.  As a first course here, I really enjoyed it all.  Margaret

Very "matey" course.  Would have liked a bit slower pace.

Most impressed - really enjoyed it.  Good atmosphere and learnt and achieved something.  Very well organised and orchestrated.

I have had a fantastic day.  The venue is stunning and the hosts and catering fabulous.  Thank you for making us feel so welcome and for a very relaxing and fun day.  Considering that this was your first bread-making course, I think you did very well, but the AGA situation will need to be addressed.  Anthony (we shall hire an electric oven next time - 10 loaves at once was just too much for the AGA!)

Learnt a lot.  Great tutor, answered all my questions.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course.  The food was superb.  Margaret N.

Fantastic setting, enjoyed the day very much.  Thank you, Katrina

Very encouraging techniques that are quick and manageable.

Handout was a good idea.  Thank you.  Lovely day, learnt lots.