Bake with a Legend allows you to master macaroons, make eclectic eclairs and become a sponge cake connoisseur under the watchful eye of Great British Bake Off contestants.
Bake With a Legend’s regularly sold-out classes give keen bakers and baking newbies the chance to learn from the pros by cooking alongside former Bake Off stars.
Initially launched in London, the Bake With A Legend (BWAL) classes are now available in Manchester, Brighton and Bristol. We were invited to join a class in London, which took place at the photo-worthy Meringue Girls’ Kitchen near Bethnal Green station. The kitchen’s incredibly spacious and has an island-style cooking area so everyone can bake together.
We baked with series 8 contestant James Hillery – famous for his friendly British charm and ‘Hygge’ cooking style that celebrates comfort food. James showed us how to create s’mores. Like all the BWAL classes, ours offered plenty of technical challenges, like making pastry and chocolate ganache from scratch, as well as mastering a tricky French meringue.
The classes kick off with some friendly chit chat around a table, so you can get to know your fellow bakers. People travel from all over the world to attend the classes. I was paired up with a lovely lady from Devon, and one of the other bakers had flown from Japan. It’s also your chance to get to know your baking legend and ask any burning behind-the-scenes GBBO questions, like who gets to eat all that cake after judging?
Each masterclass runs over four hours, so there’s plenty of time for baking and chatting. You’re encouraged to ask questions throughout the class and numbers are kept small, so you’ll have plenty of one-on-one time with the expert. There’s more than enough equipment for everyone and even helpers on hand to put stuff in the oven or the fridge, and wipe the sides as you work.
Once you’re finished, there’s the chance to ask any last-minute GBBO questions, grab a photo with your celebrity baker and tuck into their bake with a glass of fizz. You’ll get a box to save yours for later so you can show off your handiwork when you get home.
Bake With A Legend – Where & How?
London classes cost £99 per person or £190 for two and take place at The Meringue Girls Kitchen in Bethnal Green, London. For more information, go to www.bakewithalegend.com. Classes tend to book up quickly, so be sure to book in a few weeks in advance.
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