I was kindly gifted the opportunity by BBC Maestro to undertake BBC Maestro's Bread Making course hosted by the prestigious and hugely talented baking legend that is Richard Bertinet and to then write a post upon completion, so here goes...
Although this is a sponsored post all opinions are completely my own and the post is entirely unbiased.
Firstly, I should start this post by mentioning that, prior to taking this course, I was by no means experienced in the art of bread making. Cakes, cookies, cupcakes etc are my obsession. My ventures into the world of all things dough related had really only resulted in Cheese Rolls. Very nice, but hardly adventurous.
I did once attempt sourdough. Unfortunately, the starter grew at such an alarming rate that there was a risk it could lead to mass extinction! Taming it into sourdough did produce an edible loaf but the feeling was to just continue to buy one from M&S in future. Safer, tastier and an opportunity to also purchase a cheeky bag of Percy Pigs.
So, it really is no exaggeration that I was genuinely very pleased to be treated to a dedicated online course opening the door to the art of bread-making the French way by the great bread-making genius of our time, Richard Bertinet.
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Course Content Summary
Richard Bertinet's BBC Maestro Bread Making course is a detailed deep-dive into the creation of a variety of breads. Baguettes to bagels, ciabatta to cornbread, sourdough to stollen and many, many more.
To make good bread you need good dough
Richard Bertinet - BBC Maestro Bread Making course
The aim of the course is to guide you from novice through to graduating as an adept bread-maker in your own right.
You will start by learning how to understand dough. How to use your intuition and touch to sense when the dough is perfect. How to learn exactly when the dough is ready to move to the next stage.
You will learn the famous Richard Bertinet's slap and fold kneading technique. French bakers don't knead by punching, pulling and pushing their dough around.
Like any skill, this method takes patience and practice. Fortunately for us students, Richard demonstrates the method repeatedly throughout the course. Richard continually guides and advises in his gentle and patient teaching style.
After your introduction, you’re off with your first bread bake, Tin Loaf and Leopard Bread. Ever wondered how to get that lovely crackle on the top of your loaves? Well, here you will find out exactly how.
I personally ran through the course from this point in order. You of course dip into any lesson along the way and return to it as many times as you like.
Maybe it's just me, but I rather loved having a course that felt like it was created just for me. There is something quite personal about a lesson that feels it is being taught straight to you. In your own home. Whenever suits you and at your own pace and time.
As much or as little time as necessary is spent on each lesson. This ensures that the viewer gains a perfect understanding.
As a clearly experienced teacher and a genius in his field, Richard Bertinet’s delivery is concise, calm, relaxed, patient, informative and fun. Each lesson moves at a comfortable pace. Techniques and repeated explanations are given as to the why and not just the how of every step.
You won't get anywhere near this level of tuition or support from a book or from watching YouTube. It's entirely another world. A world that is completely engrossing. A world that allows you to participate whenever suits you, and to go back and dip into it again and again.
Why take BBC Maestro's Bread Making course?
Surely you can just buy the book or watch YouTube?
Well yes, you could, but you wouldn't benefit from the following...
- 26 in-depth online video lessons by the great bread-making genius and the undisputed leader in this field, Richard Bertinet;
- detailed instruction on how to make a massive 21 types of bread, plus 2 bonus lessons;
- a whopping 96 page downloadable booklet of course notes which cover every element of the course in great detail along with recipe quantities;
- repetitive and patient tuition in skilled techniques such as the slap and fold kneading method;
- continual hints and tips along the way to help you not only learn how to bake bread but, hugely importantly, the science of why;
- a purpose-driven course set out to instruct and educate the learner, laying out steps in a concise and structured manner, with a patient and humous delivery by a man who is an experienced baker and teacher.
and all this with no need to leave your own home!
Oh and....
- the added "freebie" of being able to share 3 lessons with whomever you choose;
- Makes a PERFECT GIFT! My dad is a huge fan of Richard Bertinet and has honed his bread-making skills over many years. I so wish this course had been out sooner, it would've been the perfect present!!
Tried and Tested: Rye Bread
My sister had given me a set of rather cute little mini loaf tins which I had yet to christen, so, intrigued by the interesting complexity of flavours that Richard Bertinet incorporates into his Rye Bread mini loaves I decided to give this recipe a whirl.
Utilising both the online Rye Bread lesson and the accompanying section in the course notes ensured that I was dually equipped for success.
Not only did the Rye Bread lesson guide me along through clear and concise step-by-step instructions, but, as with all of the lessons in this BBC Maestro Bread-Making course, Richard Bertinet also continually provided key, crucial and in-depth detailed tips and advice along the way.
The recap at the end of the lesson was key to success. As such, my bonny little rye bread mini loaves emerged steaming from their tins perfectly replicating those made the great man himself, first time.
Having never baked rye bread before or even used rye flour before, I was pretty chuffed with my efforts.
That is the key difference between this course and watching a video or reading a book, the knowledge you gain saves a whole lot of time trying again and again to work out where you went wrong because the detailed tuition and course notes ensure success first time round.
Some things in life are worth investing in.
Treat yourself.
Treat someone you love.
But do take my word for it, this is a fabulous online course and great value for money, just sign up and then sit back and delve into a whole new world created just for you 🍞🥖🥯🥨.
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