Natural Cookery School

From gluten-free baking to international specialities, the Natural Cookery School offers plant-based cooking and baking classes from its professional kitchen near Stroud, Gloucestershire. Led by Chef Erin Baker with 25 years of experience, the school specialises in seasonal, vegetarian and vegan cuisine using locally sourced and organic ingredients.

The curriculum spans both sweet and savoury baking alongside broader cooking techniques, with classes designed for all skill levels. Evening workshops provide focused introductions to specific techniques, while full-day courses allow deeper exploration of specialist subjects. International Baking classes explore global plant-based traditions, whilst the Gluten-Free Baking programme addresses the science and craft of alternative flour work.

The comprehensive Gluten-Free Baking day course demonstrates how far dairy-free, vegan baking has progressed, covering the science behind different gluten-free flours whilst creating lemon almond sponge, leek focaccia, brown bread, and seedy carrot cake. Students work in pairs in the teaching kitchen, enjoying a two-course lunch made from the day's creations plus plenty of tasting along the way. The Bao Buns evening class focuses entirely on the art of steamed dumplings, teaching dough-making, shaping techniques, and steaming methods alongside plant-based fillings and Asian sauces. Both classes include recipe packs and items to take home.

Classes operate from a state-of-the-art professional kitchen with aprons provided, combining hands-on practice with demonstration teaching. The school suits home bakers seeking to expand their plant-based repertoire, those managing gluten-free diets, and anyone curious about international vegetarian baking traditions.

Reviews

Location

Days Mill, Old Market, Nailsworth, Stroud GL6 0DU, Gloucestershire

A few things we think are worth having if you want to keep baking at home.

Equipment

Digital Kitchen Scale (0.1g)

Accurate to 0.1g, rechargeable, and under £15. Every baker should own one.

~£13View on Amazon

Book

The Complete Gluten-Free Baker

Covers breads, cakes, and pastry with proper gluten-free technique - not just swapped flours.

~£15View on Amazon

Book

Ottolenghi Simple

Yotam Ottolenghi's most accessible book - generous flavours, everyday ingredients, and bakes that always impress.

~£22View on Amazon

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