Christmas Away Days
If you are looking to step out of the office this winter and embrace the season, why not head down to the farm with your colleagues and enjoy one of our hand-picked Christmas courses. These scrumptious Christmas courses are hands-on, informative, fun and best of all, you'll get to head home with all your handmade Christmas goodies – what’s not to love!
We have two special Christmas courses detailed below which you can choose from, or we can work with you to create something bespoke for your team.
Course 1 - Christmas Bread & Baking
There’s nothing more festive than creating and giving traditional Christmas treats. During our Christmas Bread & Baking course, you’ll learn how to make rich festive brioche, grissini, a scrumptious focaccia and the best homemade lebkuchen, perfect for indulging over the festive season.There will be a hearty supper, hot toddies, and the chance to explore Park Farm in the beautiful midwinter.
See full itinerary below.
Course 2 - Christmas Baking and Wreath Making
If crafting is more your style, our Christmas Baking & Wreath making course might be more up your street. Hosted by local flower grower and florist Emma Dixon who will teach you how to adorn your doors and halls with beautiful festive creations, bringing nature indoors. Emma will guide you to make a fabulous Christmas wreath for your front door, with plenty of other tips to give your home plenty of festive cheer. There will also be a festive lunch, mulled wine, a cookery demonstration and the chance to explore the farm.
See full itinerary below.
Christmas Bread & Baking |
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10.00am - You’ll be met at the top of the hill and transported to River Cottage HQ for a day of festive baking. |
Welcome - You will meet your host, and start the day with tea, coffee and festive treats fresh from the kitchen. |
Session 1 - You will don your aprons and begin with getting your Christmas brioche under way. You will learn about the baking journey and learn all about the additional ingredients that can be added to make this extra tasty, think citrus, fruity, boozy goodness. |
Session 2 - You’ll learn the basics, get to know the ingredients, learn about the differences between flours and yeasts, and get to grips with your sage, onion and chestnut loaf. |
Session 3 - Next you will be mastering grissini, these beautifully flavoured bread sticks are perfect for Christmas gatherings. |
Lunch - It will be time to take a break and refuel with a light lunch of local, seasonal fare prepared by the River Cottage chefs, with optional sprouts! |
Session 4 - After lunch you’ll prepare a focaccia and learn about this delicious style of sharing bread, perfect for your Boxing Day guests. |
Session 5 - Finally, you’ll get stuck into making Lebkuchen a lovely German gingerbread, perfect for nibbling over the festive season. |
Drinks & canapés - Once the day of cookery has finished and everyone is laden with their festive goodies it will be time to relax and enjoy a seasonal aperitif and a selection of canapés. |
Dinner - You will be seated and your personal chef will introduce the menu for the evening. To round off the day, a three course meal is served for everyone to enjoy. All dishes will be made using the freshest, seasonal ingredients from the farm and our local suppliers. |
Depart - At around 9.30pm the day will draw to an end and everyone will be taken back to the car park, Christmas bakes in hand. |
The price for the above is £285.00pp ex VAT based on a minimum of 15 attendees. Smaller groups can be accommodated and prices will vary depending on group size. |
Christmas Baking & Wreath Making |
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9.30am - Arrive at River Cottage - Upon arrival a member of the team will welcome your party and give you a lift down to the farm. |
10.00am - You will be welcomed into our 17th century threshing barn and meet your host whilst enjoying morning teas, coffees and festive treats fresh from the River Cottage kitchen. |
Cookery demonstration - To start the day you will enjoy a cookery demonstration from one of our chefs. This could cover any topic of your choice from Christmas bread making to canapes and everything in between and will include some active participation. |
Wreath making - Next, time to make your Christmas wreaths! Your tutor will guide you through the traditional techniques using holly, berries, ivy, seed heads & ribbon. While you work, we’ll serve some delicious nibbles and a glass of mulled wine for everyone to enjoy. |
Farm tour - Once your wreaths are complete you will head out on a tour of the farm before settling back into the barn for a delicious seasonal lunch. |
Lunch - Food is always the focus at River Cottage and you will round off your day with a relaxed two-course lunch of local, seasonal fare prepared by the River Cottage chefs. |
Depart - At around 3.00pm the day will draw to a close and the tractor will be available to take you back to the car park when you are ready, armed with your very own wreath to hang on your door. |
For the above format, for a minimum of 10 attendees the price would be £110.00 per person ex VAT. |
Interested in learning more?
Please don’t hesitate to contact the team if you would like any more information or to arrange a visit to River Cottage.
Tel: 01297 630300
Email: parkfarm@rivercottage.net
Our office hours are Monday - Friday, 9am - 5.30pm