AGA Christmas Cookery Class 2024

This full day ‘one to one’ session (or two friends/family) offers a unique opportunity to enjoy personal tuition within a fun and inspiring environment.  During your class you will prepare recipes that have been carefully selected.  Each will demonstrate the ten key AGA cookery rules.

We will also include traditional theory of the 80/20 rule to maximise the best use of your cast iron stove.  For owners of new generation ovens, we will demonstrate how to optimise resources and keep fuel consumption to a minimum.

The class includes:

All ten AGA cookery methods

Classic recipes are selected to demonstrate the best use of the AGA , to include* –

Classic Genoise sponge or traditional Yule log – effective use of the baking oven

Dorset Blue & walnut scones – how to bake in the roasting oven

Frangipane tart with homemade mincemeat – AGA pastry with the benefit of no need to bake blind in the roasting oven and use of plain cold shelf

Seasonal vegetables  to include get ahead methods for your favourite seasonal accompaniments – 80/20 rule, blanch and refresh, roasting and griddling, steaming, sweating vegetables in the simmering oven

Traditional gammon or homemade stock and get ahead gravy for Christmas Day – slow cook in the simmering oven.  Discussion and time plan for your festive roast as well as delicious plant based recipes.

Brunch – English muffins, poached eggs and hollandaise for leisurely breakfast – maximising the benefits of cast iron.  Or you can opt for an introduction to sourdough.

You will receive a comprehensive file to include all of your Christmas recipes as well as lots of tricks and tips to make the most of your AGA.  All of the ingredients and preparation are organised in advance and we take care of the washing up! All of your time will either be spent cooking together in the farmhouse kitchen.

Following your 1:1 class, Lisa  encourages you to keep in touch with any cookery questions.

*Subject to current seasonal availability we may need to adjust the schedule to offer a similar alternative.

Full day, ‘Christmas Survival’ AGA cookery class:

• A ‘one to one’ (or two friends/family) cookery class held in the farmhouse kitchen at All Hallows AGA approved cookery school.
• Ingredients and recipe file full of useful tips and tricks.
• Home baked treats to take home.
• Unlimited freshly ground cafetiere coffee and Dorset tea throughout your visit as well as a seasonal, vegetarian lunch that we will prepare together during your class.
• The opportunity to keep in touch with any additional AGA cookery questions or support.

Festive classes for Christmas 2024

Thursday 14 November

Friday 15 November

Thursday 5 December

Friday 6 December

We’d love to welcome you.

Angela from Dorset

‘I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the cookery course yesterday. It was a  very busy day but carried out in a fun and relaxing environment.  I learnt so much , despite having been an AGA owner for years, and now feel much better prepared to cope with the Christmas catering this year. I just wish I had done one of your courses when I first acquired an AGA’.  November 2023

Susie from Dorset

‘I had a fabulous day and cannot thank you enough, perfect hospitality I am in awe of your cookery skills and have learnt so much.

Today has given me renewed confidence about cooking and everything else too.’                                                                                     November 2023

Read more testimonials here

What type of classes do you offer?

Each class is tailored specifically for our cookery guests. We prepare a brief schedule for your approval prior to booking and this can be adapted to suit your personal needs. At All Hallows’ Farmhouse we specialise in traditional AGA cookery but as an experienced private chef, caterer and tutor Lisa is also pleased to offer classes that are aimed at new generation stoves as well as conventional cookery too.

Can my friend join us too?

The classes are designed especially to be offered on a ‘one to one’ or ‘one to two’ basis. So the cookery day is ideal for one person to concentrate on their personal repertoire or for friends or family to enjoy a day out together.

We have just moved to a new home with an AGA. I am struggling to maintain the heat in the ovens. Can you help?

We’d love to help you make the most of your heat storage cooker. The introductory AGA course would be perfect for you. Alternatively we can offer an online induction to help you get to grips with the 80/20 rule and ensure you are able to enjoy your AGA from early in the morning to the last cup of cocoa before bedtime.

My dream of a new kitchen is finally a reality. We’d love an AGA but not sure where to begin or whether it would suit our lifestyle. Could we spend some time cooking beside yours to help us make our decision?

Be our guest! Lisa has been fortunate enough to spend her working career cooking beside a multitude of stoves and the AGA is definitely her favourite. If you would like to gain ‘hands on’ AGA cookery experience, before installing your new kitchen, we are always pleased to welcome you for a class.

I’d love to escape for a cookery day with my friend but she doesn’t have an AGA whereas I do?

No problem. The alternative conventional methods will be explained throughout every stage and recipe. Equally, rather than a Q&A session at the end of the day, we encourage our cookery guests to raise questions throughout the day. This ensures every detail that is relevant to you will be answered during your time with us. It’s going to be some time before my AGA is installed. There is so much information to absorb and I am worried that once we have moved to our forever home or, our new kitchen is completed, I will need to recap on everything that I have learned. Following your day with us we will always send an e-version of your class content so you will have a ‘back up’ copy of your recipes and methods for reference. Once you have attended an All Hallows’ Farmhouse cookery course, Lisa always promises that you can email her with any outstanding cookery questions or advice to convert a conventional recipe to the AGA.

We have had an AGA for 25 years, how could we benefit from a cookery course?

It’s great to hear that you have loved your AGA for so long. All of the traditional cookery methods will be second nature to you, but you may like to join us for an advanced class to hone your skills and add new recipes to your repertoire. We’d love to tailor a day that is just right for you. This may include pastry making, rich yeast doughs, sourdough, butchery, fish cookery, vegan cookery, gluten free or lactose intolerant menus or a vegan diet.

I’d like to buy this experience as a gift voucher for my wife/husband/partner and we would prefer to stay. Do we both have to attend the course?

Not at all! If you prefer to spend the day reading beside the fire, or relaxed in the garden during the warmer months, that is absolutely fine with us. We will need to chat through the class content with the gift recipient prior to your stay and if you give us a steer on your favourite activities, we can make a list of suggestions for you to consider. However, when you return home, to ensure harmony in the kitchen, even if one of you just uses the AGA to boil a kettle, we suggest that everyone in your household becomes familiar with the differences and benefits of cooking beside a heat storage stove.

We are considering a full day class but are wondering how much actual cookery will we do?

This is a ‘hands on course’ which involves lots of active participation by our guests. Some recipes will be demonstrated beforehand and then you will have the chance to follow the methods for yourself. Other dishes will be made from scratch. Whilst we highly recommend that you take part in all aspects of the day, if you prefer to sit and watch, we will need to make additional preparations for your class. Please let us know at the time of booking if you require a demonstration only.

What happens to the food that we cook?

If you are staying at the farmhouse, most of the recipes that you make will be enjoyed throughout your visit but we always suggest that cookery guests bring a basket or food container to take bakes home with them.

I am allergic to nuts, does your kitchen handle nut products?

We take all dietary allergies seriously at the farmhouse but please be aware that we do handle nuts and nut products in the kitchen during a normal working day. If you are allergic then we will remove all of these ingredients prior to your visit and store them elsewhere, however we cannot guarantee that all traces will be removed from the kitchen.

My partner is a coeliac. Is this a problem?

We have a designated larder with an extensive range of gluten free flours which are regularly re-stocked. We also make our own gluten free oat and buckwheat flour as well as grind linseed (flax) in a dedicated grinder. Prior to your class we would need to chat through your specific requirements and also check if there are any gluten free flours that you cannot tolerate. Please note that we do handle wheat flours in the same kitchen but these are stored in a separate cupboard.

We don’t live locally. Is there anywhere you can recommend for us to stay?

You are always very welcome to make the most of the farmhouse bedrooms and take advantage of the guest sitting room and breakfast room which will be exclusively yours, throughout your stay. Alternatively we can recommend one or two lovely places locally for you to relax at the end of a busy day. Please take a peek at the Orchard Room or get in touch for more details.

We are on holiday in the UK and would like to include a cookery course during our visit?

You are most welcome to join us for a class and or to stay here to enjoy a cookery holiday in the quintessential village of Wimborne St Giles, home to the Earls of Shaftesbury. We can customise your visit to suit every level of cook, whether you own an AGA or not! If you wish, we can also accompany you to local producers and the farmers’ market. Please contact us with your proposed dates and we look forward to making preliminary suggestions depending on the season and your requirements.

We have just employed a new housekeeper/nanny/cook and she is unfamiliar with the AGA?

Lisa began her career in private service and has years of experiencing cooking in clients homes. Whether you require nursery food, to stock the freezer or a gentle guiding hand to ensure your newly employed member of the household is confident with AGA cookery, we are always on hand to help you both, either in person or online.

I have an AGA and would love to make more of it but I just cannot spare the time to travel to Dorset for a cookery class?

You may like to consider a series of short online tutorials to help you master all of the AGA cookery methods as well as hone your cookery skills. We will provide a list of ingredients prior to your class and then cook alongside during your e-class. Please ask for a quote.

My family would like to follow a vegan or flexitarian diet and I need help adjusting to this lifestyle choice?

We can offer personalised cookery classes for all diets including FODMAP and gluten intolerant recipes. Please get in touch to chat through your specific requirements.

All Hallows’ Farmhouse is a residential cookery school. Does that mean we have to stay to book a class?

Whether you stay for a few nights or just come for the day, the choice is entirely yours. We just look forward to welcoming you.

I’d like to buy this gift as a present but the recipient is not keen to learn online and would prefer to cook at home rather than travel?

We often teach in clients’ homes. This offers the benefit of working with them and their particular model. We strictly follow the current Covid restrictions at the date of your individual class. So if either area is experiencing a localised lockdown or a member of your household is showing symptoms then we reserve the right to reschedule the date. Please contact us for a quote.

We want to raise funds for our nominated charity and would like to arrange a cookery demonstration. Can you help?

Please contact Lisa with more details of your event to include the date and location. Whenever possible, we are always pleased to support charitable events and will be happy to provide a quote accordingly.

We have a Rayburn at home but would love to hone our cookery skills. What can you offer us?

Thank you for considering an All Hallows’ Farmhouse cookery class. We’d love to welcome you here and of course we would be pleased to offer a personalised class that will include the benefits of a Rayburn whilst we spend the day cooking beside our 4-oven electric AGA. Please contact us for more details of our tailored Rayburn courses »

We’d like to join you for a specific date but need to budget for our cookery class. Can you offer payment terms?

That’s no problem. Please contact us to secure your date and we will send you details of our terms.

I’d like to attend a cookery day but want to share with another single person. Can you arrange this?

Regrettably this is not possible. All of our classes are offered on a ‘one to one’ or ‘one to two’ basis for family or friends attending together. However you are welcome to come for an individual day on your own.

My partner is an experienced AGA cook but I have no experience whatsoever. Can you offer a cookery class to suit us both?

It is quite usual for one member of the family to be more confident with the AGA. Please let us know at the time of your enquiry and we will incorporate recipe and cookery skill suggestions that will appeal to you both.