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The Vic North Cookery School offers a unique combination of practical courses in the restful retreat of Manor Deifi. Nestled in glorious North Pembrokeshire, participants not only enjoy learning new skills and improving their techniques with dedicated and experienced bakers, chefs and artisans, but have the opportunity to ‘get away from it all’, for a couple of hours, a day or even a weekend.
About the Cookery School
vicnorth.co.uk
Vicky North grew up in North Wales and, after studying and working in
the South of England (and beyond, as cabin crew with British Airways), she settled with her family in North
Pembrokeshire . One of Vicky’s earliest memories is baking a
Victoria Sponge, so it was almost inevitable that a visit to a thriving
local producers market would inspire her to don her pinny and start up a micro-bakery. That first market experience has taken Vicky on a
journey to the creation of the Vic North Cookery School where she shares her passion for ‘real’ food
from the heart, in the heart of her home, the kitchen at Manor Deifi.
About Vic North
Vicky began selling handmade bread and cakes as ‘Vic North Bakes’ at the
Cardigan Local Producers Market in August 2011.
Vicky held her first workshop, from
Cardigan’s Small World Theatre in April 2013. She began running the workshops from her home, Manor Deifi, shortly thereafter.
The Vic North Cookery School was formed in 2014, coupled with an expansion of the courses beyond baking. The Vic North Cookery
School currently offers 18 different courses.
Key Facts
vicnorth.co.uk
Vicky bakes her loaves using a commercial, 7 tray fan oven, carefully baking each loaf in a pre-heated clay brick to mimic the effects of stone lined, steam injected deck oven.
Vicky runs many of the courses herself, and is delighted to have guest course leaders Margaret Ferazzi, who has 25 years’ experience cooking in private kitchens in LA, and Tom Bean, local forager and wood-fired oven expert, on board.
Residential courses are a new development for 2014. Participants can take advantage of onsite luxury holiday accommodation, the Dovecote.
Visited local producers’ market in Cardigan
First stall in local producers’ market
Trained with Andrew Whitely (Bread Matters, Cumbria)
Internship at E5 Bakery, London
Joined the Real Bread Campaign
Bake Club set up to coincide with Real Bread Makers Week 2013
First workshop
First Do lectures bread workshop
Cardigan River Food Festival
Dovecote opened to guests
Our story so far...
Jul 2011
Aug 2011
Oct 2011
Dec 2012Feb 2013
Feb 2013
Apr 2013
May 2013
Aug 2013
vicnorth.co.uk
Woodfired oven built
Ffres visit to Puglia, insight and understanding of Italian baking heritage and culture
Guardian Cook Supplement to coincide with inaugural lighting of the oven
Slot on Eleri Sion Show, BBC Radio Wales
Establishment of Vic North Cookery School with extension of accommodation to provide for up to four extra guests
Do Lectures Bread Workshop
Newcastle Emlyn Food Festival
First nude wedding cake delivered!
Demo at Lampeter Food Festival
Sept 2013
Oct 2013
Feb 2014
Apr 2014
Jun 2014
Jul 2014
The workshop programme is constantly evolving with a range of half day, day and residential weekend courses on offer, from back to basics to technical baking:
Bread making | French & Italian baking | Pasta workshops | Gluten free baking | Micro bakery startup | Cupcake masterclass | Yoga retreats | Build & cook with a fire oven | Residential courses | ‘Crumbs’ children’s workshops
A full calendar of courses currently available can be found here
Workshops
courses calendar
Vic North Cookery Schoolvicnorth.co.uk
Vicky is passionate about baking and cooking with integrity.
Her bread and baking is grounded in the traditions and tastes of the region she is proud to call home, tweaked to take into account the demands of busy modern lives, but also recognising the very real luxury of taking time every now and again to create something fabulous.
Each month, Vicky will be sharing a seasonal bake or recipe on her blog
Recipes
seasonal bakes
Media coverage & partnerships
“Puglia tickles taste buds of west Wales entrenpreneurs”
“Italian food, the Welsh way”
“Bready shenanagins from Real Bread Maker Week and more”
more coverage
“Vicky clearly has a passion for her craft, makes great bread and delivers the best tasting loaf in West Wales”
Scott Davies, Cnwd
vicnorth.co.uk
“It’s been great to have Vicky on board with her knowledge and expertise again this year at the Do Lectures. Everyone had a hugely enjoyable bread making session and were thrilled to take home their very own Do Lecture start-up sourdough after the event.”
Claire Hiett, Do Lectures
I had such a great day learning so many different techniques, laughing and learning. It went too fast and left me wanting more. The family were so impressed with the goodies I brought home. Can’t wait to do another course. Thank you Vicky.
Feedback
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vicnorth.co.uk
I loved the sourdough bread-making workshop Vicky ran. I’ve done lots of baking over the years, but never tried this before as I’d imagined it would be complicated and I wouldn’t have the time to get into a regular bread making routine. However I was amazed by how straightforward it all was and how much fun! Am now a real enthusiast. I have yet to produce a loaf as good as the ones we made in the workshop, but I’ll keep trying! Katie Elliot, Do Lectures workshop 2014
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@OneMileBakeryHuge thanks to @vicnorthbakes for leaving such gorgeous loaves for me @The25Mile - beautiful bread! pic.twitter.com/8Q8KOqXbB7
@TheSaliMali@JaneKelso had an amazing day @vicnorthbakes look what she made! I am going to book on soon!
Residential CoursesSet in the grounds of the house at Manordeifi, Dovecote is a tastefully modernised farm cottage, a 10-minute drive from the bustling market town of Cardigan.
It has the capacity to host 6-8 guests, ideal for course attendees visiting the cookery school on a residential basis.
Dovecote
vicnorth.co.uk
Our PrinciplesMake real food accessible to all
Provide inspiration and the belief that great is achievable
Work with seasonal ingredients, local where possible
Celebrate, preserve and explore our unique British culinary heritage
Work in the community, with our community
Celebrate West Wales and Cardigan Bay
Deliver high quality tuition, bags of hands on experience and follow-on support to our virtual community
Great cake, good bread and memorable food
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ManordeifiLlechryd
Pembrokeshire SA43 2PN
e: [email protected]: 07974 348878
Contact
vicnorth.co.uk
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