Sugar craft courses

Tutors

Eddie Spence MBE

Royal Icing expert, Eddie Spence began his career as an apprentice baker for J W Mackie in Edinburgh. He then went on to study confectionery and cake design and taught at a wealth of prestigious colleges, including Napier College in Edinburgh, Kedleston College and Wilmorton College in Derby. Eddie's World renowned royal icing skills earned him the opportunity to decorate many cakes for the royal family, including a wedding cake for Prince Charles and Princess Diana , and Her Majesty the Queen's golden wedding anniversary cake. He also won the British Open Confectionery Trophy and was awarded an MBE in 2000.

Paddi Clark

Paddi is one of the UK's leading figures in sugar craft and author of 'Beginners Flowers' (see below). With a career spanning almost two decades, she continually strives to study, design and develop new techniques and skills, which enables her to continue to be creative at the top and forefront of her profession. Paddi's vast teaching experience, coupled with a passion for her subject and friendly approach, means that she one of the most popular and sought after tutors both in the UK and overseas. She has also won several medals for her work.

.......................................................................................................................................................................

About the classes

We arrange classes for small numbers of students to work with top level tutors. The maximum number is six for specialist 'whole cake' work, and eight for all other classes, including sugarpaste and royal icing skills courses. We can also arrange one-to-one tuition, or tuition for groups of work collegues or friends.

Courses run from 10.00am until 4.00pm. We are well equipped to provide most of your basic equipment, although there will be some specialist equipment which you will need to bring with you. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, and the small number of students means that your time with these top tutors is very high. Tea and coffee is provided all day long.

All course fees are payable up-front and can only be refunded at our discretion, or if we are able to fill your space with someone on our waiting list. Fees will always be refunded if, for any reason, we have to cancel a class. With a limited number of spaces you are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

An equipment list will be sent out to you for any specialist items you require. Some of these items can be ordered in advance of the course from Scattercake - and it may be easier (and cheaper!) for you to do so.

Eynsham is a large village on the edge of the Cotswolds. Situated just west of Oxford, it is within easy access of the A40 and about 90 minutes drive from central London, Birmingham and Cambridge. Oxford is approximately 90 minutes coach travel from Heathrow airport and an hour from London Paddingtom by train. There are regular bus services between Eynsham and Oxford.

Parking is available (and free) - and there is accomodation nearby from £35 per night (B&B) at the newly refurbished Talbot Inn:

Click on picture for link to the Talbot's web site.

There are several places around the village where you can buy food for lunch and evening meals.

The following classes are awaiting confimation of dates

Runouts for cakes with Eddie Spence - £85 per day (one or two days - as yet to be confirmed)

• Maximum number of students - 8
• The aim of this course is to explore the medium of runout icing to make small designs and motifs which can be applied to any cake. These might be flowers, teddy bears, hearts and shapes, baby blocks etc..
• It is suitable for complete beginners and those wishing to perfect their skills under Eddie's expert guidence

......................................................................................................................................................................

Three day specialist Master Class with Eddie Spence - £350

• Maximum number of students - 6

• The aim of this course is to make a cake similar to the one above, with runout collars, bass-relief scene with figure, and side-design piping
• It is suitable for those with some experience of royal icing who wish to perfect their skills further under Eddie's expert guidence.
• This is an intensive course, and covers a range of skills. It is also a fantastic opportunity to learn with the Master himself.

......................................................................................................................................................................

Two day wedding cake course with Paddi Clark - £195

• Maximum number of students - 6
• The aim of this course is to design and make a two tier wedding cake
• There is a lot to cover in this course, therefore some basic experience with sugarpaste would be helpful.

......................................................................................................................................................................

Beginners sugarpaste with Paddi Clark - £85

• Maximum number of students - 8
• The aim of this course is to learn the professional way of covering a cake with marzipan and sugarpaste
• You will also learn how to decorate your cake with such things as handmade roses and sugarpaste drapes
• This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as anybody who wishes to refresh or develop their basic skills

Students from a beginners sugarpaste course with Tutor, Paddi Clark

"I really enjoyed the cake course...and was so impressed with the cake I took home. I am now looking forward to the next one!" Rebecca

"Hi Annie, Thank you for a wonderful day. For the first time in a long while I feel like I have achieved something and I left your house with a smile on my face." Denise

"I just want to say thank you for the fabulous time I had on the beginners sugarcraft course with you. I really didn't expect to be able to do such advanced things after only one lesson! Can't wait to come on another course!" Jane

"Paddi is an excellent teacher, she was friendly and informal and demonstrated everything in easy stages and best of all she was patient and encouraging when I didnt get something the first time... by the end of the class I felt really confident about tackling the next cake on my own. I would recommend this class to everyone, even if you aren't a total beginner, Paddi showed us so many tricks of the trade, I am sure she has saved me alot of time and money!" Mrs LG