Excellent in everyway!!
Rating: 5/5
Excellent in every way... full of enthusiasm and passion for what they were doing and trying to teach us... Full marks to Steve and Gideon.... relaxed and fun!! - Gavin Gardiner
Added on by River Cottage Reviews I
Build & Bake
Product Details
Product Details
Our wood fired oven has become an integral part of our kitchen. We not only use it for baking artisan breads, but also for roasting our meat and grilling our fish.
Since our results have been so fantastic, we wanted to show you how to build your own clay oven. Be prepared to work hard with this very interactive course, as you dig the mud, mould the clay, and knead the dough!
COURSE DETAILS
Arrive: Tractor ride down to the farm
Welcome: Meet your tutor Steve Lamb in the fantastic setting of River Cottage. Enjoy a morning tea or coffee and tasty River Cottage treats.
Practical session one: We begin by taking you on a short walk to find and dig clay, explaining consistency and ratios and where to find and source it. Then everyone will mix the building materials and following this you will create a sand former.
Practical session two: Dough making in the barn – learn how to make bread dough for your clay ovens.
Practical session three: Returning outside, you now learn how to build the clay oven wall.
Practical session four: Have a go at pizza making using delicious local and seasonal toppings, which will form part of your lunch.
Lunch: A sumptuous lunch, including your homemade pizzas and local seasonal fare prepared by the River Cottage team, will not disappoint.
Practical session five: Knocking back the bread dough, shaping into loaves and then leaving to prove.
Practical session six: At this point you complete the construction of your clay oven by building a brick archway, insulating the walls and hollowing out.
Practical session seven: Bake your delicious homemade loaves in the clay ovens (not the one you have just constructed!).
Close: Marvel at the many individually created loaves before heading up the hill with your own, still warm creation!
This is a guide to the activities that will make up your course at River Cottage. This is by no means set in stone and will depend on the season as well as the group’s interest.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Location: This course is run from River Cottage HQ on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of HQ will be provided once you have booked.
Wine/drink: We are a licensed venue. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines.
Accomodation: If you need local accommodation please click here.
Age: We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 10 years of age and upwards. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. We put these guidelines in place for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.
Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Keep me informed
If you are interested in joining us at River Cottage for a course or event, please let us know. We will send you new dates when they become available, special offers on last minute tickets and let you know about the new courses we are developing. Just hit the button below and let us know what you're interested in.
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Customer Reviews
Write a Review
Absolutely Excellent
Rating: 5/5
Absolutely excellent. I'm hoping to do the Mushroom Foraging later in the year and would definitely recommend River Cottage events to my friends. Wonderful buildings in perfect surroundings - we even had the pond in which to dig clay. Lovely little touches like setting up the brazier for warmth and having fresh daffs on the dining table. - Janyne Dunsbee
Added on by River Cottage Reviews
Fantastic. Well done to all the team
Rating: 5/5
Absolutely fantastic. The group were excellent and we all joined in. The staff were amazing. - Sarah Jones
Added on by River Cottage Reviews IV
Superb day!
Rating: 5/5
Having just returned from a glorious spell in sunny Devon & Dorset, I just had to write to say how fantastic the course was. Steve and Gideon were extremely attentive and engaging thoughout the day, and a great time was had by all. River Cottage HQ was stunning and beautifully complimented by the backdrop of the clear blue sky that we were fortunate enough to have on the day. To say we were well fed is a gross understatement - the neverending flow of food was superb so hats off to the chefs who worked diligently thoughout the day. Oh yes - we also did some baking and built a clay oven. I am now planning my own clay oven in my garden and hope to have it up and running by the summer - much to my wife's dread!
Added on by simonjordan
Build & Bake Mega Day
Rating: 5/5
Last Monday with my other half and friends undertook the B&B course. It was much better than I ever imagined it would be (and I already had high expectations in my sight!) It was run very well with both courses interspersing with each other. Steve & Gideon were great "Task Masters". You will learn much more than you ever expect to in one day. Do it!!
Added on by jenhwilliams
One word...brilliant!
Rating: 5/5
A thoroughly enjoyable day! A great big thank you to Steve and Ollie for making it such a wonderful experience. The day definitely exceeded our expectations...beautiful sunshine, stunning place, delicious food and excellent teaching! My bread makes an excellent doorstop (Only joking! It could have turned out much worse if I did use elderflower cordial instead of water!). The pizzas were the best I have ever tasted! I would definitely recommend this course. Leah and Alwyn
Added on by user747811
My Build and Bake Day
Rating: 5/5
Full review available here: http://mavinabaker.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/build-and-bake-at-river-cottage.html
Added on by rivercottagereviewsV
Bread day in April
Rating: 5/5
Hi I wrote a review for the bread course I did in april but wanted to update you. I have not bought a supermarket loaf since! Every two days I make a sponge starter in the morning and bake a loaf in the evening. It' the best bread I have ever made and the family all loves it too. deborah Greatrex
Added on by Mostly Making