ALBOS’s Kris Grainger is aiming to encourage novice bakers to get creative in the kitchen, with a series of informative classes beginning shortly.
Under the moniker Breadheads and Doughnuts, over the coming weeks, Kris will be leading a series of fun baking classes, suitable for everyone regardless of ability and experience.
The first class takes place on Friday 1st May at Walton Community Centre, from 10am – 3pm. More classes will follow, including at weekends. Keep an eye on the Breadheads and Doughnuts Facebook page for details of forthcoming dates – facebook.com/BreadHeadsBakingClasses
Kris says: “I started baking by accident. While I’d always enjoyed cookery classes at school, I didn’t consider it an option at the time, instead going for more conventional boys subjects, such as Technical Drawing, which I was awful at!”
“I’d always fancied the idea of baking my own bread, but it wasn’t until I was made redundant following ten years of teaching, I found myself taking a year out and needing to find a hobby. Having recently moved to Stone and wanting to kit my kitchen out a bit, I treated myself to some kitchen gadgets, one of which was a bread making machine. I remember being fascinated by the process of the machine – the mixing, the kneading, the rising then the baking.”
“The problem was, all the loaves came out the same shape and I wanted to make something a little more visually appealing. Around this time, Paul Hollywood had a series on tv focusing on breadmaking, so I decided to try my hand at the basics first – pizzas, bread rolls, a bloomer loaf. Then I moved onto more complex creations such as ciabattas, focaccias and sour dough.”
“In my year off, I found, much to my surprise, I actually had quite a flair for it, and gradually more and more of my friends would ask me to produce goodies for their parties. I never intended making bread to sell, but it was around this time I thought it might be good to combine my teaching skills with my newly learned hobby. I was then approached by Stone’s own Stone Baked to help them develop some sour dough. This proved great fun, as I was then privileged to witness what happens during the overnight shift in a bakery, and I learned a lot from the few nights I worked there. Not to mention getting to try some gorgeous treats, straight from the oven, mmmmm!”
“What clinched it for me was when I was asked to review the iCookIndian course at last year’s Stone Food and Drink Festival, for ALBOS. (https://alittlebitofstone.com/2014/10/10/albos-team-member-spices-up-the-in-tent-sity-2/) I had such a great time on this course, that I thought the time was right to book a hall and launch my bread-making classes.”
There are still some places left on the first class – but hurry, they’re going like the proverbial hot cakes, appropriately enough! You can email Kris on BreadheadsAndDoughnuts@outlook.com with any enquiries, or book over the phone on 01785 817510. You can also contact him to be added to the mailing list for future classes.
Courses cost £50, inclusive of all materials and equipment. At the end of the session, you will aim to have two varieties of bread to take home and enjoy, as well as a folder of recipes for other breads which will be demonstrated on the day. You’ll learn baking tips and tricks, including troubleshooting problem loaves, as well as finding out about equipment and ingredients, including the vast array of flours out there, and what difference their choice can make.
The classes are informal, and should be seen as a social and skill sharing experience, with everyone assisting each other. Kris will be performing demonstrations and assisting students along the way. Everyone attending is advised to bring along a notepad and pen to jot down hints and tips and make a note of the contact details for new baking buddies they make!
Some of Kris’s mouthwatering creations –
