Cake for Breakfast SW20

Private tuition

What do you want to learn?

The great thing about a one-to-one lesson is it can be completely bespoke: you tell me what you want to cover (in advance, please!) and I'll make it happen! Please note I don't do fondant work so we'll stick to cakes, cupcakes and all things buttercream including piping techniques including florals, rainbows and right up to my signature ombre-drip cake and even unicorns! Prices will vary depending on what you want to cover, how hands-on you want to be and what you'll be taking home but will usually be around £60 per hour including ingredients. If you'd like to arrange a private class for you and a child, for example, we can do this, too.

introduction to cupcakes (£55)

2.5 hours. Next small-group class Sunday 11 February 2024 (with a valentines twist...)

I run classes for small groups of 3 or 4 adults or children aged 8 or over. If you have your own small group of friends who are keen, I can arrange another date for you. These sessions are £55 per participant, with the option to add on a little organza gift bag of piping tips (including the four we'll be using in the course) so you can get practising straight away when you get home.

Here's what you'll learn:

Recipes and making cupcakes (demos only; one cupcake to test!)

How to make my signature American buttercream

How to fill a piping bag: the mess-free way

An introduction to buttercream piping “swirls and stars” with a 1M 2D, 4B star and leaf tips (demo and interactive).

Further buttercream techniques as decided on my participants! Two-tone swirls / rainbows, floral designs... what do you want to learn?

You'll end with a box of 6 cupcakes to take home. (Hands on class).

*Sometimes we can be having so much fun / asking so many questions that we lose track of time and over-run: please allow a spare 30 minutes before your next activity just in case.

Buttercream cakes 101 (£80)

3 hours. Next small-group class Sunday January 28th 10am.

This class is aimed at adults who can already bake a simple cake but want to take their presentation to the next level. In a small group of around 3, I'll show you how to fill, crumb coat and top coat a round cake. I'll provide all ingredients and materials including a small cake (serves 8) for you to decorate and take home! Book early to choose your flavour from vanilla, chocolate or red velvet. We'll be using vanilla buttercream. Upgrade to a larger cake for an additional cost. The format will be demo followed by hands on at each stage, with constant guidance and personalised feedback. My aim is to fast-forward you through the first year of my cake decorating journey in one session, so you can just jump right in at the fun bit!

Here's what you'll learn:

Tips for baking flat sponge layers that turn out perfectly every time (discussion only; we won't have time to do this in the class)

The three most important pieces of equipment to invest in

How to fill and stack your layers (no spirit levels required!)

How to achieve a perfect crumb coat or naked cake (without ripping up your beautiful sponge)

How to achieve a smooth top coat with sharp or natural edges (without losing your sanity)

Depending on time, I'll help you finish your cake with some simple decorating techniques to impress your friends and family.

*Sometimes we can be having so much fun / asking so many questions that we lose track of time and over-run: please allow a spare 30 minutes before your next activity just in case.

parties

From £175 for 4 children, additional participants at £25 each

Ideal for 4-8 children or adults, I'll arrive with a fresh batch of buttercream and a box of 6 undecorated cupcakes per guest (and a bonus box for you, which I'll decorate as a demonstration), plus mixing bowls, spatulas, colours, piping bags and everything else we need to produce some gorgeous cupcakes. Over the course of the next 1h30-2h I'll teach participants some key buttercream techniques, and they will practise on plates before we move on to their take-home box! I'll even take the washing-up home with me: all you have to do is provide the venue with access to hand-washing facilities. Get in touch to book.

The small print

Cancellations

I can only run group sessions once we reach three participants. The class will be confirmed once we reach this limit and it will be payment in advance to confirm your place. Unfortunately, I won't be able to issue a refund if you then decide you can't attend your allocated session(s), but will happily teach a substitute pupil if you can find somebody to use the space! If I have to cancel a lesson (eg due to Covid restrictions), I shall offer you the option of a full refund or a rescheduled lesson.

Covid and Safety

I won't be wearing a mask to make communication easier (although I shall be reviewing this regularly), but I am double vaccinated (about to be boosted) and take lateral flow tests regularly to ensure I'm all-clear! Everyone will be asked to wash their hands upon entering. Unless guidance from the government changes, it is your decision whether you would like to wear a mask for the session, but I would ask you not to come if you - or any member of your household - have Covid.

For children's classes, if you're not participating then I'll ask you to take a seat a few feet away to give us the space we need. And finally, if participants have allergies, it is really important that you please tell me at the time of booking..

About me

I have 15 years' experience as a teacher (albeit secondary school Physics...) and two children of my own, aged 8 and 11. I have a 1st class degree in Astrophysics and a PGCE in Science education, but absolutely no baking qualifications whatsoever; I learned how to bake from my grandmother and Good Housekeeping, and everything I know about cake decorating I taught myself from watching other people do it online and a loooooooot of practice. I do, of course, have my 5* Health and Safety rating from the council, and I'm fully insured for teaching in my house and other venues.

are you ready to upskill?