Quince House Cookery School

Quince House Cookery School brings the expertise of Tante Marie-trained chef Katharine Eldridge to the Surrey countryside, operating from Limpsfield Chart near Oxted since 2008. The school's intimate setting accommodates just six students in hands-on classes and up to ten in demonstrations, ensuring personalised attention across every session.

The curriculum spans traditional British baking through to international specialities, with classes covering everything from fundamental pastry techniques to artisan bread making. Seasonal offerings include Easter-themed sessions where adults and children work together creating hot cross buns and Easter biscuits, while the comprehensive pastry programme teaches both short crust and flaky pastry through practical projects like summer vegetable flans and sausage pies.

The bread making classes showcase remarkable breadth, particularly the Breads of the World session where students master four distinct techniques in a single day - Polish bagels, Swiss butter zopf, French bread, and Irish cheese soda bread. Those seeking to understand fermentation can join the four-hour sourdough intensive, which covers starter creation, traditional loaves, cranberry and walnut variations, and rye sourdough, plus Swedish cinnamon buns. Students leave with their own starter culture and a banneton proving basket to continue baking at home.

Many classes include lunch prepared by Katharine herself, with the sourdough session featuring homemade dishes served while the bread rises. The school also offers one-to-one tuition for those preferring individual instruction, and gift vouchers make classes accessible as presents. This combination of technical expertise and relaxed hospitality suits both beginners seeking foundational skills and experienced bakers wanting to expand their repertoire.

Reviews

Location

Quince House, Caxton Ln, Limpsfield Chart, Oxted RH8 0TD, United Kingdom, Surrey

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

Equipment

Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven

The best affordable way to bake artisan-quality loaves at home.

~£65View on Amazon

Equipment

Banneton Proofing Basket Set

Essential for shaping sourdough. Gives your loaves that beautiful spiral pattern.

~£18View on Amazon

Book

Tartine Bread - Chad Robertson

The sourdough bible. Start here if you're serious about bread.

~£28View on Amazon

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