• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

A Moment With Franca

A Family, Lifestyle & Travel Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Family
    • Family Events
    • Family Life
    • Family Days Out
    • Birthdays
  • Lifestyle
    • Home & Interiors
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Garden
    • Kitchen
    • Health
  • Travel
    • Days Out
    • Things To Do In London
    • Holidays
    • Press Trips
  • Reviews
    • Toys & Games
    • Days Out
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
  • Seasonal
    • Christmas
    • Halloween
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Easter
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Giveaways
  • Show Search
Hide Search

#AutumnalBakes Event At The Jamie Oliver Cookery School

amomentwithfranca · 17 October 2017 · 9 Comments

I love Autumn! It is one of my favourite seasons! I love the scenic views and colours that you get when you are out walking in the fresh air! The change of weather is what reminds me that you need to keep warm and cosy at home! These are the moments you yearn for yummy soup recipes to prepare at home to enjoy with a good crusty bread, just baked from the oven! Of course, this is not something I personally would prepare at home because cooking is not my skill but my hubby Nick has the skills and has surprised me on occasion with fresh soups and oven fresh bread!

I was invited to the #AutumnalBaked event organised by Curry’s PC and Hotpoint at The Jamie Oliver Cookery School in Westfield London Shopping Centre. I was going to learn how to make focaccia & crusty white rolls, how to make the perfect baked goods for the colder weather as well as getting delicious pumpkin soup & fondue recipes to help us make the most of our bread. I was looking forward to attending this event and passing the tips, tricks and recipes onto Nick and all of you of course. I am always up for a challenge and every time I do, I surprise myself with the results! Maybe I am not as bad at cooking as I think I am! 😉

Despite Westfield London being my nearest shopping centre, I had no clue that there was a Jamie Oliver Cookery School located at the back of Jamie’s Italian restaurant! This was a surprise for me because I have visited this restaurant several times but I guess it is easy to miss it as it is right at the back, so you wouldn’t normally go that way if you are visiting the restaurant to have a meal.

The Jamie Oliver Cookery School is amazing! It has everything you need to learn how to cook or if you are a good cook already, you can perfect your skills with new techniques and lots of new recipes to prepare! They have lots of different cooking lessons, so if cooking is your passion, this is the place for you! It is nicely decorated and has a fair amount of workstations fully equipped with the latest Hotpoint ovens.

The event was about #AutumnBakes, so the cookery school was decorated with an Autumn theme with colourful leaves everywhere. It was a lovely atmosphere. Everything was ready for us to listen to a lovely lady called Gaby who was our chef for the event. She told us all about bread baking, kneading and proofing! She made it all so easy and simple but I was sure that when my turn arrived to try it myself, things were not going to be that easy, LOL!

We were taught every step of how to prepare fresh bread rolls. You really need to work the dough very well! I really enjoyed learning how to prepare different styles of bread. The plated one was my favourite. I felt that each type of bread had a little bit of an art to it. It was very interesting.

We then learned how to prepare focaccia and how to make our own focaccia dough.  I love focaccia so I was very interested to learn the process involved in preparing it.

Preparing the dough needed a lot of movement and patience! You have to keep kneading and kneading constantly until you get the perfect texture. We were taught a few tips to perfect our kneading! We also learned about dough proofing and how long it should take.

After listening to Gaby, it was our turn to do the same! I was so nervous because as I said cooking and baking is not part of my skill set, LOL! We were provided with some dough to begin shaping the bread.

I made 3 different styles of bread: a bread roll, a plated bread and a baguette. We then had to add some glaze which means adding some egg to make it shinier or milk to obtain a matte look. Gaby suggested that we could use an oiled knife to do some long cuts along the baguette which can make it look even better. It was a lovely experience! I actually quite enjoyed shaping the bread. It was then ready to put inside the Hotpoint ovens, which were perfect for this type of baking.

While we were waiting for our bread to be ready, we were given the ingredients to prepare our focaccia dough. This was a tricky one. It needed a lot of kneading to reach the perfect consistency! I actually found the kneading therapeutic, LOL! After a little while, my focaccia dough was ready. We were able to take this dough home to prepare it in another moment.

We were also provided with a focaccia dough ready to be decorated and baked there to take home too. I added some tomatoes and rosemary which I crushed using a granite pestle and mortar. I didn’t manage to try my focaccia there because I had to leave early but they kindly sent me my baked focaccia and we tried it at home. It was delicious! Nick also put the focaccia dough I prepared in the oven. We really enjoyed eating this at home with the girls.

I did my best with the baking and I was pleasantly surprised with the results! What do you think?

Following this, we were taken to another room to taste a lovely pumpkin soup and a fondue with our freshly baked bread! I had to leave at that moment to attend a school event so I didn’t manage to try them but OMG it looked very tasty! I am so annoyed I missed it, but I did get to take my freshly baked bread home where we all enjoyed it with some butter! It was lovely!

You can read more about this event and find some cool recipes from Curry’s blog post HERE.

Do you like baking? Have you baked bread rolls and focaccia before? 

*Disclosure: I was invited to attend this lovely event organised by Curry’s PC and Hotpoint for the purpose of this blog post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks for stopping by,

Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋

Linking up with:

Related

Filed Under: Food, Events, Gadgets & Technology

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ali Duke says

    23 October 2017 at

    I love Autumn too. I would love to be able to make my own bread, fresh crusty bread is so good!
    #KCACOLS

    Reply
  2. Jade - Raw Childhood says

    26 October 2017 at

    Ah this looks amazing, fresh bread is just the best thing ever, I love it while its still a bit warm! #kcacols

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      26 October 2017 at

      Exactly! Me too! Nothing beats a fresh and warm bread! 🙂 x

      Reply
  3. Amie says

    28 October 2017 at

    Wow they look really yummy! I love hearty warming food in this chilly weather! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  4. Cassie Parish says

    29 October 2017 at

    Oooh yummy! Thank never even knew there’s a Jamie’s restaurant at Westfield, let alone a cooking school!!

    Post has defo served it’s purpose on me. Looks like lots of fun.

    #KCACOLS

    Reply
  5. Life as Mum says

    9 November 2017 at

    Ah! Looks like so much fun lovely. Amazing experience. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  6. Helen @talking_mums says

    10 November 2017 at

    This event looks so much fun. I love cooking and would love to do something like this. I’d
    #kcacols

    Reply
  7. Maria says

    11 November 2017 at

    You did a great job! Here’s nothing better than the smell of fresh bread! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      11 November 2017 at

      Yes that is true! 🙂 x

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

HI THERE, I’M FRANCA!

Hi, I'm Franca, a lawyer mum of 2 gorgeous girls married to my best friend, living in London. Award nominated parenting & lifestyle blogger. Read More…

Newsletter

    Built with ConvertKit

    Family Days Out

    • The Best Light Trails In London 2022
    • The London Transport Museum At Christmas
    • Monopoly Lifesized Review

    Collaborative Videos

    Popular Videos





    AWARDS

    BritMums



    BritMums

    Tots100

    Tutora Best Parent Insight Blog Award Shortlist

    RANKING

    Tots100
    Top 20 UK Parent Blog 2020

    Flea Network Top 20 UK Parent Blog 2018

    MEMBER

    LINKY

    Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday
    ✨Family Birthday Brunch✨.We had a yummy Sund ✨Family Birthday Brunch✨.We had a yummy Sunday brunch at @balanslondon in Westfield last weekend celebrating my birthday! 🎉☕️🍳 It was a sunny and warm morning so it was nice to spend some time out with Nick and the girls.☀️😊. It was a perfect start to the day with delicious dishes and lovely company. ☀️😋 SWIPE LEFT to see what we ordered (each photo explained below ⬇️):.1️⃣ Sienna's delightful treat: A stack of fluffy American pancakes drizzled with syrup, crowned with bananas and a scoop of Banoffee ice cream. She couldn't resist! 🥞🍌🍨2️⃣ Nick's flavourful choice: Spicy scrambled Woodland Farm eggs, halloumi, crispy Balans potatoes, and spiced tomato wrapped in a breakfast burrito. Accompanied by an energising Americano. ☕️3️⃣ My scrumptious pick: Egg Florentine with poached Woodland Farm eggs, spinach on an English muffin, topped with homemade hollandaise. Paired with a heavenly cappuccino and refreshing apple juice. 😍4️⃣ Bella's current favourite: Two slices of sourdough toast topped with creamy avocado, perfectly paired with apple juice. Simple and satisfying. 🥑🍎.We had an incredible time together, and the food was fab. If you're in the area, I highly recommend paying them a visit! 😋 They also have four other locations across London, so more choices to visit📍🍽️.✨Like, save, and share if you're tempted to visit or know someone who'd enjoy this experience too! .What is your favourite go-to brunch dish? 😋🍳.#BalansLondon #pancakes #pancakeslover #brunchtime #brunchgoals #LondonEats #morningfood #londonfood #londonfoodie
    ✨ Turning 46✨.Grateful for a wonderful day s ✨ Turning 46✨.Grateful for a wonderful day spent with my family celebrating this milestone and feeling excited to embark on another year of my journey. 💫 .I’m ready to tackle new adventures, create lasting memories, and embrace new opportunities! 🎉🎂🥳🌟.What exciting plans or goals are you looking forward to in your next chapter? 🌟✨ .#happybirthdaytome🎉#46yearsold #NewChapterBegins #newchapterinlife #curlyhairdontcare #CoffeeTime #costacoffee#TreatYourself #over40 #over40blogger #overforty #over40andfabulous#over40mom
    ✨ Exploring the Wonders of Madeira✨.Swipe le ✨ Exploring the Wonders of Madeira✨.Swipe left to uncover the 8 Great Things you can't miss in this breathtaking destination🌴🌺.1️⃣ Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Funchal's Mercado dos Lavradores.2️⃣ Soar above the island with breathtaking views on the Monte Cable Car.3️⃣ Embark on a thrilling ride down the famous Carros De Cesto Do Monte (Monte Toboggan).4️⃣ Marvel at the jaw-dropping landscapes from the Cabo Girão Skywalk.5️⃣ Witness the majesty of marine life with an unforgettable Whale Watching excursion.6️⃣ Embark on a thrilling Jeep Safari Tour into the heart of Madeira's untamed landscapes.7️⃣ Delight your taste buds with the exquisite flavors of Madeiran Cuisine.8️⃣ Step back in time with a visit to a Traditional Madeira House..BONUS (last photo) 👉🏻 Don't forget to try the iconic Poncha—a traditional Madeiran drink that will transport you to Madeira's vibrant culture! 🍹.For more details and insider tips, check out the full blog post linked in my bio. 📖✨.✨Like, Save & Share if you are planning to visit or if someone you know would like to visit✨😍Which of these 8 Great Things To Do in Madeira would be at the top of your list? 🌺🏞️.#madeira #MadeiraIsland #VisitMadeira #ILoveMadeira #placestovisit #beautifuldestinantionsaroundworld #TravelInspiration #travelguide #traveltips #beautifulviews #oceanviews
    ✨Life Is What You Make It✨.Loving this quote ✨Life Is What You Make It✨.Loving this quote from Charles R Swindoll👇🏻.“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it” 😍.Life is a beautiful chaos, filled with unexpected twists and turns. It is so important to remember that it is not just about what happens to you, but how you choose to react to it! It’s the 90% of your response that shapes your journey! 💪.So, let’s try to face every challenge with resilience, every setback with determination, and every joy with gratitude! 💫✨ .How do you choose to react to life’s ups and downs? .#LifeIsWhatYouMakeIt #motivationalreels #springvibes🌸 #cherryblossoms #cherryblossomtree #blossoms #beautifulscenes
    ✨Weekend Away Celebrating My Newly Teen’s Birt ✨Weekend Away Celebrating My Newly Teen’s Birthday✨.My eldest daughter has finally turned 13 and we couldn't be more excited! 🎉 We celebrated it in Winchcombe with family, where we decorated everything with balloons, banners, signs, and some Instagram prompts! 😉.The highlight of the celebration was the gorgeous cake baked by a family member that had a black and white exterior and interior, but with a surprise splash of Skittles inside! Bella loved it! Swipe left to see a closeup of her cake! 🎂.We also enjoyed a BBQ and a walk around town. We even stumbled upon a field full of sheep 🐑 which made our walk even more fun! (Check out pictures 8 and 9) 😀.It's amazing how time flies and our kids grow up so fast. Cherish every moment you have with them because soon they'll want to spend more time with their friends! 😬.Do you have a teenager at home? .#teenagegirl #13yearsold #birthdayweekend #cakeinspiration #familycelebration #weekendgetaway #countrysidewalk
    ✨Kyoto Garden✨.We went to visit Kyoto Garden ✨Kyoto Garden✨.We went to visit Kyoto Garden, located within Holland Park in Kensington, London. This traditional Japanese garden has gorgeous waterfalls, vibrant flora and fauna, and a serene pond!.See below some facts about Kyoto Garden:.🌿It was opened in 1991 as a gift from the city of Kyoto to commemorate the long friendship between Japan and Great Britain🌿Once inside, you’ll be transported to a traditional Japanese garden which brings a serene and peaceful oasis in the midst of the bustling city🌿 It is full of colourful plants, serene ponds, and tranquil waterfalls🌿 The pond is full of beautiful koi carp, and the stone lanterns and Japanese maple trees add to the charm of the garden.Useful Information:📍Location: Holland Park, Holland Park Ave, London W11 4UA🚇 Nearest Tube: Holland Park (Central Line), Kensington High Street (Circle & District Lines) and Notting Hill Gate (Circle, District & Central Lines)⏰ Opening Times: Opens daily from 7.30am until 8pm🎟️ Fee: It is FREE to enter.This garden is so peaceful and serene, a perfect place to meditate, contemplate or simply unwind. We highly recommend you to visit. You won’t be disappointed! 🎥Watch the reel until the end to see how beautiful Kyoto Garden is! ☺️. ✨Like, Save & Share if you are planning to visit or if someone you know would like to visit✨😀.Have you visited Kyoto Garden in Holland Park? .#KyotoGarden #HollandPark #LondonGardens #JapaneseGardens #NatureLoversofinstagram#parkday #londonparks #londondiaries #londonlife #londonbylondoners #thingstodoinlondon #familytime
    Load More… Follow on Instagram
    Copyright © 2023 · A Moment With Franca · Privacy Policy