Baking & Pastry Arts — 2026-05-16
Great British Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins is bringing his skills to an intimate Edinburgh masterclass on May 30, focusing on classic French desserts. GBBO star Candice Brown is set to appear at the 2026 Southport Flower Show this August. Meanwhile, the baking world continues to buzz around sourdough innovation and protein-enhanced pastry formats as top trends shaping menus this year.
Baking & Pastry Arts — 2026-05-16
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Peter Sawkins Masterclass in Edinburgh
The youngest-ever winner of The Great British Bake Off, Peter Sawkins, is partnering with Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy to host an intimate "cook along" masterclass on Saturday, May 30. Attendees will work alongside the Scottish baker to master a classic French dessert in the heart of Edinburgh.
Tickets and details were confirmed just days ago for the event, which is described as ideal for foodies and baking enthusiasts looking for a personal, hands-on experience.
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Candice Brown at Southport Flower Show 2026
Great British Bake Off champion Candice Brown has been announced as part of the celebrity chef line-up at the 2026 Southport Flower Show on Saturday, August 22. Candice — proud owner of The Green Man pub in Eversholt and co-owner of the recently opened Margo's — will join the lineup at this beloved summer event.
Technique
Scale Up Recipes With Care: Adjust Your Leavening
When doubling a recipe or scaling up for a larger batch, resist the temptation to simply double every ingredient. Professional bakers know that leavening agents — such as baking powder, baking soda, and yeast — generally do not scale proportionally. Over-leavening can cause baked goods to rise too quickly, then collapse, resulting in a dense or gummy crumb.
A common rule of thumb: when doubling a recipe, increase leavening by only about 25–50% rather than 100%, then adjust based on the result. The same applies to salt and sugar to a lesser degree. This is one of the key science-backed insights taught in professional baking programs.
Baker Spotlight
Peter Sawkins — Scotland's Youngest GBBO Winner Goes Deep on French Pastry
Peter Sawkins made history as the youngest-ever winner of The Great British Bake Off when he took the crown in 2020, and he has remained a passionate advocate for accessible, skill-driven home baking ever since. This month, Sawkins is stepping back into the spotlight with a hands-on masterclass at the Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy — his home city — where he'll guide a small group of enthusiasts through the fine craft of classic French dessert-making on May 30.
The intimate format reflects Sawkins' ethos: baking is best learned by doing, in good company, with expert guidance close at hand. For anyone in Edinburgh with a sweet tooth and a passion for pastry, this is a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of Britain's most beloved amateur-turned-celebrated bakers.
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