Frequently Asked Questions

Brockleby’s focuses on the traditional skills behind great British Food as well as our European Favourites — from pork pies and sausages to artisan bread, pasta, and wood fired pizza — rather than general cookery. You’ll learn authentic techniques and heritage recipes in a relaxed, friendly setting where everything is hands on and nothing feels intimidating. It’s a chance to step into the region’s food traditions, have a lot of fun, and pick up skills you’ll be proud to use at home; all of this in the unique settings of our working bakery at Asfordby (LE14 3QU) and also at our Pie Shop in the heart of Melton Mowbray (LE13 0PN).

You’ll be working with pastry and raw ingredients, so we recommend comfortable clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting a little floury. Please bring your apron if you have one, it saves on plastic waste. Disposable kitchen hair nets are provided inside our working bakery, along with disposable plastic aprons for anyone who doesn’t have their own.

Older children and teenagers are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Our food experiences involve handling hot items, sharp equipment and sometimes raw meat, so they are best suited to those who can follow instructions and work safely. In our bakery a minimum age of 10 is required.

Most of our classes have a maximum of 16 participants. We can accommodate coach parties for pie making and more during the day, Please contact our office with your requirements and we can provide availability and pricing for you. Email: [email protected]

Most of our workshops are held in our working bakery in Melton Mowbray. There are exceptions though, in particular our wood fired pizza oven is usually sited on the family farm with the workshop help there, so please check the individual workshop page for location.

Most of our workshops are 2 hours long, our Ultimate Pie making Experience takes 3 hours, see individual workshop pages for exact timings as well as availability.

Our bakery is a nut free zone. Some of our classes are gluten free, some are vegetarian (or have veggie and vegan options available. Please enquire before booking if you have a specific dietary requirement. [email protected]

Our pie-making workshops focus specifically on traditional Melton Mowbray pork pies, so unfortunately we aren’t able to offer a vegetarian version within that class. However, we do run several wonderful vegetarian-friendly experiences, including our bread making workshop, pasta making, and wood-fired pizza sessions — all of which are hands-on, delicious, and just as much fun.

Yes, for all workshops.

You’ll receive clear guidance at the end of each workshop on how to store, cook, and enjoy the food you’ve made. Most items will need to be kept refrigerated — particularly anything from the sausage making and pork pie workshops. If you won’t have access to a fridge after your session (for example, if you’re staying in a hotel or at a campsite), please get in touch beforehand and we’ll help you make a suitable plan. Email [email protected]

Brockleby’s Pies in historic Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, offer fun, hands on pork pie making experiences where you can roll up your sleeves and learn the traditional skills behind great British pies. Running all year round, these relaxed classes guide you through every step — from hot water crust pastry and seasoning to filling, shaping, crimping, jellying and baking. These experiences are designed for home cooks and food lovers rather than professionals.

No prior experience is needed. Brockleby’s pie making classes are suitable for complete beginners as well as confident home cooks. The focus is on enjoyment, learning traditional skills, and producing a finished pork pie you can be proud of.

During the workshop, you’ll roll up your sleeves and learn about every step of traditional pork pie making — from creating hot water crust pastry to preparing and seasoning the filling, shaping the pie, and adding the all important jelly. Our tutors guide you throughout, sharing the history and traditions behind Melton Mowbray pork pies and plenty of tips for making them at home. You’ll handle the ingredients yourself, use a wooden pie dolly to form the pastry, and craft your own pie to take away and bake in your own oven.

A bit of both. Brockleby’s workshops blend hands on teaching with the enjoyment of working with traditional foods rooted in local history. Guests come away feeling they’ve not only learned new skills but also had a fun, memorable experience — with a deeper appreciation of British pie making and something they’ve proudly made to take home.

This experience is perfect for anyone who loves traditional British food, especially pork pies. Instead of simply buying a pie, you’re giving them the chance to learn the authentic Melton Mowbray method and make their own from scratch. It’s hands on, memorable, and far more special than a physical gift. With our 5 star TripAdvisor rating and friendly tutors, it’s ideal for birthdays, Father’s Day, and milestone celebrations — a unique experience they’ll feel genuinely pleased with.

Yes. Many guests are in an older age group and appreciate the clear instruction, relaxed pace, and traditional focus. The classes are designed to be enjoyable rather than physically demanding. Our bakery is accessible with a wheelchair accessible restroom – we simply need advance notice to make sure we set up in anticipation of guests with additional needs. Carers can attend and take part at a reduced rate when accompanying someone with a disability – just email for details.

Absolutely! Lots of guests come as couples, families, or friends, often for a shared day out or a memorable gift experience. The classes are friendly, relaxed, and hands on without any pressure or competition, making them a great choice for couples who enjoy cooking, learning, and doing something fun together.

Yes. Brockleby’s pie making experiences are popular as gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, and Christmas, particularly for people who love traditional British food or enjoy learning new skills as a hobby. Click here to view gifting options.

Yes — you’ll take home the pie you’ve made, ready to bake in your own oven. We’ll give you guidance on baking times so you can enjoy it at its best.

Yes — very much so. Our pork pie workshops are popular with small family groups, friendship groups, and larger organised parties, including full coach loads. With a 5 star TripAdvisor rating and a friendly, hands on format, the session works brilliantly as a shared activity where everyone learns something new and has fun together. It’s a memorable choice for team days, celebrations, and group outings. Please contact our office with your requirements and we can provide availability and pricing for you.

A pork pie making experience is a brilliant gift for anyone who loves traditional British food. Instead of simply buying a pie, you’re giving them the chance to learn the authentic Melton Mowbray method, get hands on with the ingredients, and make something they’ll be proud of. It’s ideal for special birthdays, Father’s Day, or anyone who enjoys trying something new. The experience is absolutely perfect for those who normally avoid kitchen duty, the easy pace with lots of humour and expert tuition mean that everyone can make a pie to take pride in. Gift vouchers are available, and our 5 star TripAdvisor reviews show how much guests love the experience.

Hot water pastry has a mind of its own. There are wobbles, leaning pies, over-enthusiastic crimps — and that shared imperfection makes it memorable and funny. It’s not just a nice lunch out. You go home with a pie you’ve made yourself — and a story to tell. That sense of achievement is surprisingly satisfying. In a world of rushed schedules, spending a few hours crafting something by hand feels like such a welcome break from everyday life, it’s time well spent together.

Brockleby’s focuses on traditional British food heritage rather than general cookery. You’ll learn authentic butchery style techniques in a relaxed, friendly setting where everything is hands on and nothing feels intimidating. It’s a fun, memorable way to explore local food traditions and gain skills you can use again and again.

You’ll learn how to make traditional British sausages from scratch, starting with hand mixing the meat, rusk, herbs, and spices to create your own perfectly seasoned blend. We show you how to prepare hog casings, load and use a sausage stuffing tool, and then master the all important skill of hand linking a proper string of sausages. Throughout the session, our tutors guide you step by step, sharing tips, techniques, and a little food heritage along the way. You’ll handle the ingredients yourself and take home the sausages you’ve made, ready to cook and enjoy.

None at all. The workshop is perfect for complete beginners as well as keen home cooks. Everything is explained clearly, the pace is relaxed, and the atmosphere is friendly and supportive.

Sausage making is fun, sociable, and wonderfully different from the usual presents. It’s a brilliant choice for anyone who enjoys good food, trying new things, or learning traditional skills. Guests get to mix, season, fill, and hand link their own sausages — a proper “I made that!” moment. With excellent reviews and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, it’s a thoughtful gift for food lovers, hobby cooks, and anyone who appreciates an experience they can really get stuck into.

Absolutely. You’ll take home the sausages you’ve made, along with guidance on storing and cooking them safely.

Please get in touch before booking so we can advise. Traditional sausage making involves pork and natural casings, so the class may not suit all dietary needs — but we’re happy to help you decide. Our sausages are certified gluten free.

Yes — you’ll work with natural hog casings, just as traditional butchers do. They’re easy to handle once you’ve been shown how, and they give the sausages their authentic texture and bite.

It can get a little hands on, so we recommend comfortable clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting flour or seasoning on. Please bring your apron if you have one, it saves on plastic waste. Disposable kitchen hair nets and vinyl gloves are provided, along with disposable plastic aprons for anyone who doesn’t have their own.

Older children and teenagers are welcome when accompanied by an adult. The workshop involves raw meat and equipment that requires care, so it’s best suited to those who can follow instructions confidently. A minimum age of 10 years is recommended.

Very much so. Many guests come as couples, families, or groups of friends. The session is sociable, hands on, and great fun to do together.

Absolutely. Sausage making is sociable, lively, and great fun to do as a group. We regularly welcome family groups, private parties, and larger organised visits. Our 5 star TripAdvisor reviews reflect how much guests enjoy the experience. It’s an excellent option for large family or friendship get-togethers, with plenty of laughter and a delicious result to take home. Please contact our office with your requirements and we can provide availability and pricing for you. Email: [email protected]

You’ll make traditional British butcher’s style sausages using high quality meat and natural casings. We cover classic seasoning blends and show you how to adjust flavours so you can recreate them at home.

You’ll learn how to make beautiful artisan bread from scratch, starting with mixing and kneading the dough by hand. Our tutors guide you through shaping, proving, and baking, while sharing practical tips you can use at home. You’ll handle the dough yourself, understand how to judge texture and hydration, and take home your freshly baked loaves — along with the confidence to make it again.

Not at all. The workshop is beginner-friendly and rewarding for keen home bakers. Everything is explained step by step in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Bread making is calming, creative, and deeply satisfying — a lovely gift for anyone who enjoys slow, mindful activities or wants to learn a new skill. It’s beginner friendly and enjoyable for all ages, making it perfect for birthdays, thank you gifts, or shared experiences. Guests leave with a warm loaf they’ve shaped themselves and the confidence to bake again at home, which makes the gift feel meaningful long after the workshop ends.

Yes. Bread making is a relaxed, hands on workshop that suits groups of all sizes, from small family gatherings to friendship reunions and office team events . With our 5 star TripAdvisor rating and friendly teaching style, it makes a wonderful shared activity for corporate groups looking for something calming, creative, and a little different from the usual team building options. Please contact our office with your requirements and we can provide availability and pricing for you. Email: [email protected]

Absolutely. Everything we teach can be done with basic kitchen tools.

No, the tutor will provide verbal instructions every step of the way. Soon after the workshop you will receive an email with links to printable pdfs of the recipes you used.

Yes — you’ll bake your loaves during the session and take them home warm and fragrant.

There’s a little kneading involved, but nothing strenuous. We show you techniques that rely on rhythm and method rather than strength.

Older children and teenagers are welcome with an accompanying adult. Bread making is hands on and fun, but it does involve hot ovens, so supervision is essential. Age 10 and over recommended.

You’ll make delicious artisan breads using simple, high quality ingredients. The focus is on understanding the fundamentals so you can recreate it easily in your own kitchen. Our Bread Making Workshop features a wholesome spelt loaf and mouthwatering stuffed soda bread while our Continental Bread Making Experience introduces the aromatic Topped Focaccia and irresistible Swedish Cinnamon Knots.

You’ll learn how to make fresh pasta dough by hand, roll it out, and shape it into classic styles such as Tagliatelle or Farfalle. Our tutors guide you through mixing, kneading, resting, and cutting the dough, while sharing tips for achieving perfect texture and flavour. You’ll handle the dough yourself and take home the pasta you’ve made.

Fresh pasta is one of those things people love to eat but rarely try making — which is exactly why this workshop makes such a brilliant gift. It’s hands on, fun, and surprisingly simple once you know how. Perfect for food lovers, home cooks, or anyone who enjoys learning something new, the session gives guests a delicious skill they can use again and again. It’s a thoughtful, memorable alternative to traditional presents.

Older children and teenagers are welcome with an adult. Pasta making is fun and tactile, but does involve handling dough and using simple cutting tools. Recommended age 10 and over.

No — whilst we teach you how to make pasta with a pasta machine, if you don’t have a machine at home, the skills transfer perfectly using simple tools.

Yes — you’ll have the chance to enjoy some freshly made pasta straight away, the rest you’ll take away to prepare and tuck into at home.

We don’t offer gluten free pasta making, however, our sausage making experience is gluten free and we run some gluten free dates for pizza making too.

Not at all. Once you understand the feel of the dough, it becomes wonderfully simple and satisfying. The workshop is designed to build confidence quickly.

Definitely. Pasta making is fun, tactile, and easy for groups to enjoy together. We can accommodate everything from intimate family groups to teams or friendship get-togethers of up to 16 people., Our 5 star TripAdvisor feedback reflects how much guests love the experience. It’s a great choice for corporate events where you want something hands on, light hearted, and delicious. Please contact our office with your requirements and we can provide availability and pricing for you. Email: [email protected]

You’ll make a traditional egg pasta dough and shape it into a style suited to the session — usually long pasta or simple shapes.

You’ll learn how to make authentic pizza from scratch — mixing and shaping the dough, preparing toppings, and cooking your pizza in a traditional wood fired oven. Our tutors guide you through every step, from stretching the base to safely using the peel and understanding how the oven’s heat works. You’ll make your own pizza and enjoy it fresh from the fire.

This depends on the setup for the day. We have a covered barn area for the preparation of the food. While we usually eat outdoors, we have plans in place for poor weather — details are provided when booking.

Yes — and it’s one of our best options for private and corporate events. The workshop takes place in a beautiful barn on our family farm, giving groups a stunning setting and plenty of space. After making your pizzas, there’s time to relax, eat together, and enjoy the surroundings, making it ideal for team building, celebrations, and company away days. We welcome everything from small groups to parties of 20 and our 5 star TripAdvisor rating reflects the fantastic feedback we receive. Please contact our office with your requirements and we can provide availability and pricing for you. Email: [email protected]

This is one of our most impressive gift experiences. Guests learn to make authentic pizza from scratch and cook it in a traditional wood fired oven — all in a beautiful barn on our family farm. It’s relaxed, social, and ideal for sharing, with time afterwards to sit together and enjoy the pizzas. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate gifts, or anyone who loves great food in a stunning setting, it’s a gift that feels like a mini celebration in itself.

Absolutely. We provide a selection of classic ingredients so you can create your perfect pizza.

No. The oven will be pre-lit to get it up to temperature ready for the workshop We show you how to load, turn, and cook your pizza safely and confidently.

Yes — you’ll learn how to mix, knead, and shape proper pizza dough, and understand how to get great results at home.

Yes — we offer suitable topping options. Please let us know any dietary needs when booking.

Older children and teenagers can take part with an accompanying adult. The oven reaches very high temperatures, so supervision and care are essential. Recommended for children age 10 and over.