Recipes learnt at our patisserie courses
Throughout the day, you will cook all of these delicious bakes to take home with you:
- A large show stopping tart – with bitter orange marmalade, champagne ganache & orange pastry
- Apricot and almond Almondines
- Apple & Calvados choux pastry
- Hand rolled chocolates
(Please note, we reserve the right to alter the dishes covered in our patisserie courses to meet the dietary requirements of our guests).
Techniques learnt
- How to make choux pastry
- How to make shortcrust pastry & line a tart tin
- Making frangipane & make seasonal almondines throughout the year
- How to create delicious chocolate shards and flavoured ganache
- Making handmade truffles
- Presentation techniques for beautiful bakes
Our day-long patisserie courses are designed to give you total confidence in using all of these techniques. The aim is that you can go home and repeat the recipes for family and friends time and again.
Your chef tutor
Will Torrent is an award-winning pastry chef who trained under Heston Blumenthal. Highly regarded in his field, Will graduated with first degree honours as well as winning Young Chef of the Year in 2009. His other achievements include winning the World Skills UK Outstanding Achievement Award and the first Medallion of Excellence for a British pastry chef at World Skills Japan.
Will has made many TV appearances, including being a regular presenter on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch and ITV’s This Morning. He is the author of three popular baking books, including ‘Patisserie At Home’ in which his no-nonsense approach to the techniques in patisserie has earned it high praise. Will has worked with some of the world’s finest chefs and his passion for baking, extensive experience and friendly style will ensure you have a busy day learning and baking in an enjoyable environment.
Patisserie | 9:30 – 16:30 | ||
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1 | Welcome
Get to know your fellow patisserie friends whilst we welcome you with a drink and some home baked biscuits. |
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2 | Meet & Greet the Chef
Meet your patisserie chef and teacher for the day, Will Torrent, author of Afternoon Tea at Home, Chocolate at Home and Patisserie at Home. |
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3 | Pastry
The cornerstone of any tart! Discover how to make a beautifully light and crisp pastry for your bucks fizz tart. You will learn about the importance of resting your pastry before use and how to handle and bake it for that all important crisp texture and no soggy bottoms! |
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4 | Ganache
Velvety, rich chocolate ganache. Ganache is a fundamental skill in patisserie and chocolate making and can be easily elevated using alcohol and flavourings. This versatile chocolate staple can be used as a filling in tarts, cakes and truffles. |
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5 | Lunch
Enjoy a light lunch in our dining room prepared by our kitchen fairies to chat over your pastry skills with your fellow bakers. |
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6 | Almondines & Choux Pastry
Time to add more skills to your patisserie repertoire, with Almondines consisting of a light frangipane topping and Choux pastry buns. Frangipane is an almond flavoured cream or paste traditionally used in French patisserie. Choux pastry is the lightest and airiest of the pastry family. Learn how to make a delicious apple compote and a crumble topping to elevate your crispy buns to the next level. |
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7 | Tempering Chocolate
Under Will’s expert guidance, Will will demonstrate how to make chocolate decorations to adorn your creations. Discover the three key temperatures required to gain perfectly tempered chocolate for that all important smooth, glossy finish and perfect snap when you eat it. |
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8 | Goodbyes
The happiest goodbyes are those that end with cake. You will get to take your creations home to share with your family and friends and wow them with your new found baking skills. |
About your day
Our patisserie courses take place on the Catton Hall Estate. On the picturesque Derbyshire and Staffordshire border, we are only minutes from the A38. We also have plenty of free parking.
You’ll have the support of our “kitchen fairies” who’ll ensure you have everything you need. We’ll provide an apron for the day, and all the equipment and ingredients.
Your day includes a delicious light lunch served with wine or soft drinks. Please bring three large containers so you can take home your delicious creations.
Our patisserie day courses run from 9.30am to 4.30-5pm. Join the team for early morning refreshments from 9.15am.
Book your place
This patisserie course is perfect for anyone wishing to learn patisserie skills, from budding bakers to curious cooks. It’s also a brilliant gift idea for anyone wanting to develop their patisserie skills and learn new ones.
Will is much in demand, both around the UK, and when he is here at Seasoned. His courses tend to get booked very quickly when we release them, so we’d recommend booking as soon as you can.
Lunch and refreshments throughout the day are provided, alongside equipment you may need. The only things you will need to bring are the containers to take your bakes home in. Please let us know when booking your place if you have any dietary requirements, allergies or are vegetarian so we can accommodate you.
Please ensure to bring 3 cake tins with you to take your day’s creations home. You will leave with them brimming with your delicious treats.
Thomas –
Superb day the highlight was seeing everyone’s final product and learning new skills. Thank you for a fabulous day.
SGP –
The highlight was meeting new people, sampling Will’s bakes and making pate sable. Thank you.
Louisa –
I loved the whole day, so much fun, thank you Will & the team of kitchen fairies.