Posted by Shane Scanlon
Summer has been fun hasn’t it? But even though it's coming to an end, there's still plenty to look forward to! With the end of summer, comes a new dawn, rising over the horizon, like a well-cooked sponge… The Great British Bake Off emerges from the fiery ovens of production onto its new home, Channel 4.
For fans of the show, it’s make or bake. Will Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig live up to the legacy of Mel and Sue? And let’s not even talk about losing Mary Berry from the show… Will Bake Off ever be the same? Or will it be better? In any case, the country's still got Bake Off fever.
But, how can the nation expel this baking fury? Bake at home? Don’t be silly… the kids might get involved and you know you’d win in a cooking contest against them (where’s the fun in that?) Alternatively, instead of watching series after series of Bake Off past, you could get out the house and get hands on. Here’s a list of fun, food related things to do round the UK.
Seasoned Cookery School
The Seasoned Cookery School is located in Walton Upon-Trent, in Derbyshire. I like to think of the name as a pun rather than foreshadowing the level of cooking expertise required. But in all seriousness, anyone of any cooking ability or level can come down and dive in. The school’s ethos is ‘inspiring everyone with food’ and has a whole host of talented TV Chefs at their disposal, to teach you some star techniques.
Ranging from classes in making your Indian take away into a beautiful homemade meal, preparing the perfect pastry (with help from 2013 Bake Off Semi Finalist – Beca Lyne-Pirkis) or creating cuisine to host your own swanky dinner party. The school offers a wide array of classes for everyone to enjoy. And you can pretend that the dashing, grey haired man across the kitchen is Paul Hollywood, if you please.
For more information on Seasoned Cookery School, click HERE to visit their website.
The Nick Nairn Cook School
Set up in April 2000, The Nick Naim Cook School now has two schools in different locations. The mission? To arm people with the necessary skills to turn ‘raw ingredients into fantastic food’. The school offers the finest classes for cooking novices to seasoned chefs.
Equipped with amazing facilities, the best tuition and even a place to grab some top shelf produce. The Nick Nairn Cook School has a class to please everyone… even Mary… what was wrong with the base Mary, soggy bottom?
To find out about the cooking classes or for more information on the school, click HERE.
Now, I hear what you’re saying. Some, love to cook and learn, and others? Well, we like to eat. ‘I’m too lazy to cook normally, so why would I want to go to school and cook?’ I hear you cry! No matter, why make, when you can taste…
Cadbury World
DID SOMEONE SAY CHOCOLATE? Oh, that was me. I did. Now you’re thinking about chocolate, let’s talk about a place that is MADE OF CHOCOLATE. Well, makes chocolate but I had to draw you in somehow… Cadbury World is the Crème Egg of the crop, of foody days out.
An ideal destination for chocolate lovers, the Birmingham based factory not only takes you behind the magic of the confectionary, but also teaches you a thing or too. Learn about the greatest gift from mother Nature, aside Oxygen, the cocoa bean. Responsible for making the world a more chocolatey place.
And guess what? They’ll be chocolate there. If you’re feeling daring ahead of Bake Off, pick up some chocolate on your way out and give that chocolate gateaux a go.
This tour is guaranteed to be popular, so pre-purchase your tickets to avoid disappointment. Visit the website by clicking HERE, to book tickets or find out more info.
Savouring Bath Walking Tour
Don’t be fooled by the name, you won’t be looking at a collection of bathtubs with legs, no. You’ll be walking around the beautiful city of Bath, soaking in the history and culture of the city, tasting the local cuisine.
Offering a platter worthy selection of tours, experience Bath like never before. Through the taste of local produce. Artisanal food and drink, sweet or savoury, there’s a taste for anyone palette. And don’t worry about eating all that food, it’s a walking tour, designed to aid you in burning off every calorie you eat… well maybe not every calorie but I’ve got to at least try and make you feel better, right?
To find out about all the different food tours head to Savouring Bath’s website, by clicking HERE.
All this talk of food, cake and chocolate has got me feeling full. Paired with that pre Bake Off buzz, I think we all deserve a drink to relax, no? Queue the distillery tour…
Pickering’s Gin Tours
The ideal destination for Gin Lovers, tour the beautiful distillery and learn all about how the masterful gin is created. Learn how the gin is bottled and sample all three of Pickering’s gin expressions. And, as if it couldn’t get any better. There is a bar. Finish your tour at the Royal Dick bar.
What could be better than trying and drinking gin? Throw in a little detective work to add to that excitement. Experience the event of a lifetime, LockedIn the Distillery has you solving clues with up to five friends, working together to save the distillery from destruction! I would pay just to watch five, gin fuelled adults attempting to solve clues. Think that could be an idea for BBC to fill the gap Bake Off has left? Just a suggestion…
For more information about the distillery, click HERE.
Now you’ve digested this five-course meal of food related fun, you’ll finally have a creative outlet for all your Bake Off needs. From cooking master classes to become a baking legend, to food tours to sink your teeth into or just to put your feet up with a nice drink from your favourite distillery, I hope I’ve eased the wait before we welcome Bake Off back to our screens.
The Great British Bake Off is back August 29th on Channel 4.
Shane loves the outdoors and travels around the UK visiting and reviewing all the top attractions.
