ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS

Helen Underwood is an award-winning artisan baker, recipe developer and food writer who has specialised in sourdough for many years. She has been teaching here at White Cottage Baking School for the past ten years where students from around the world come to attend her workshops.

Her approach is simple: everyone gets hands on from the minute they arrive. Full notes and recipes are provided electronically after the class, so you can concentrate on learning the practical skills you need.

She believes in using locally grown grain and ingredients, where possible, and the importance of improvisation, making for a fluid and flexible approach to her baking. Her background as a scientist is always evident, giving her students greater confidence in their own understanding and abilities.

Her mission, she says, is to remove the mystery from what can appear an arcane craft and make it a simple, everyday skill that can be enjoyed by all. 

See our Workshop Calendar for the current list of workshops and retreats for the forthcoming year.


For those of you interested in private classes or corporate training, please contact me via email.

   OUR TUSCAN RETREATS

We are delighted to continue our Partnership with Castello di Potentino, where we offer bread and baking retreats in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. These 7 day retreats are all-inclusive, including full board, excursions and the fabulous wines made at the castle by winemaker Charlotte Horton (flights and transfers excluded).

Find out more about our Tuscan retreats here.

    WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

We will provide all the tools and ingredients you'll work with, as well as aprons. You'll just need comfy shoes! Wear something with sleeves that can be rolled up, as baking can get messy.

At the end of the course we'll send you home with all  the recipes and skills to get you started on your very own baking journey! 
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GROUP BOOKINGS

If you would like to arrange a bespoke workshop for a group of friends send us an email.

We run corporate hospitality and team-building days for a maximum of twelve people. To find out more, click here or get in touch for a quote.
White Cottage is an artisan bread and baking school run by award-winning sourdough baker Helen Underwood.

REVIEWS & AWARDS

FEATURED WORKSHOP

6-NIGHT BAKING RETREAT AT THE CASTELLO DI POTENTINO, TUSCANY 

Autumn 2026: Sunday 1st to Saturday 7th November 2026

We are delighted to be returning to the Castello di Potentino in Tuscany to run our week-long Baking Retreat in Autumn 2026... 
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