Foodie Class: Cocoabox Cake Decorating Lesson
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 1:01AM Put it in your pantry with your cupcakes
The Great Wennie Bake Off!
We attended our first foodie class in the name of Wennie’s Affairs on Sunday- Cupcake Decorating. Before leaving the house we read the course outline which promised by the end of the two hour lesson we would
“learn how to make incredible cupcakes and decorations with effortlessness. Learn by taste, you will try various cakes and learn about the history of cake”.
We arrived at the Britannia Hotel, in Primrose Hill North London at 10am and were told to take a seat around one of the tables. A wave of disappointment struck me and I felt a bit deflated. Were we not baking the cup cakes and mixing the icing ourselves? The fact there was no oven or cooking equipment answered my question. The cupcake course was really a decorating class. If we are honest we had suspected this might be the case and a part of me was prepared to reset my thinking should this situation arise. Harbouring disappointment would ruin the experience. Keith is the pragmatic sort, so I knew he would adapt quickly too.
The tables had been “laid” with six naked cupcakes per person at each place and we had a decorated pretty cupcake as a breakfast snack. In the middle of the table were plates of edible glitter and pastel baubles, white and milk chocolate vermicelli, and bowls of icing.
Lisa and Nathan imparting their cupcake wisdom
Lisa and Nathan were taking the course and they looked after us well by offering us liquid refreshments before we started. Lisa began by outlining the course which included:
- A brief introduction to baking cupcakes
- A practical demonstration of decorating a wedding cupcake and creating a rose from sugar paste.
- Working with fondant icing and piping buttercream frosting.
- Icing and decorating the six naked cupcakes
Once we got started, we really got into it and had so much fun. We picked up the techniques relatively quickly if we do say so ourselves. Lisa challenged us, but not to the degree that made us want throw in the towel. Keith’s confidence was soaring and he even maneuvered off piste and made a “Hello Kitty” cupcake (show off), which the lady beside us took a photo off. The two hours sped by and I was disappointed when it was time to leave. I had a few questions for Lisa and she answered them with enthusiasm and expertise. She has a great job.
We had a few points, which maybe Cocoabox could address. The first obvious one is clarity around the course content. Maybe we were being naive, but the blurb above does implying baking. Secondly, yes I have made cup cakes, but a bit more on baking and the different icings would have been great. The class had a mix of people who had been given gift experience certificates and a few Foodies who were genuinely interested in the baking detail.
We had a great time and would recommend this class for the unseasoned cake decorator. We noticed that Cocoabox also run a cupcake and cocktail course; ideal for those poo pooing January detox.
The course costs £60 per person for a two hour lesson. We booked through Keynoir, who had a special offer of £24 per person.
Class, Cocoabox, Cupcakes, Decorating, Fondant, Frosting, Icing, Sugar paste, baking in Foodie Classes 
Reader Comments (8)
Hey guys,
It was lovely to meet you! The pictures look great.
I must add that we did talk to Keynoir about the original wording as it did say something along the 'baking' lines for the cupcakes class offer. We do bake in some of our other classes however this cupcake class (with the Keynoir offer) we don't.
Keynior changed the wording as soon as we pointed out it was a decorating class.
Thanks again for coming along and writing a blog!
Lisa x
I need to find an easy and basic sugarcraft class myself but confess it's my least favourite part of catering. I love the NotKitty cupcake (in case she's a litigious puss).
Hi, a group of us went to a class run by The Cocoa Box and felt that it was poorly run in a small, hot room. Lisa (whose name we found out because she had written it on her cookie!), did not even introduce herself or her company and she looked miserable, nothing like on her video. Also, 2 other people had not turned up and when she checked again she said 'Oh good, they are not here.' After she had demonstrated a few ideas, she left the room for ages telling us to just get on with it. There were no other examples of cookie designs, as after all not all of us are naturally creative.
Also, there had been an error with the booking and she made no attempt to help. When I asked her questions about it at the end of the class she was rude and told us to hurry up and leave. Another member of our group had asked about another of her classes and she told us not to book as she did not want us there. Obviously she had an issue with me asking questions so there was no need to talk to my sister in law like that! I asked Lisa if she knew anything about customer service as she was turning away almost £500 worth of business, she replied that she didnt care because she owned the company.
We got this experience at discount but it was not worth it al all and I feel sorry for anyone who pays full price. Also, I did not pay to get insulted! Strange way to run a company.
DO NOT BOOK THIS CLASS!!! If you have Glamoo Vouchers you will not get in as they are no longer accepting them! This is dispite the fact we already paid months ago!! Very rude customer service, it is totally not worth the stress or hassle! Book elsewhere, you think you are getting a bargain because of the vouchers but it is a totally different class to the full price one!
Hi,
We would like to explain about the Glamoo vouchers as we have been advised by Trading Standards. Glamoo have gone into liquidatin and have moved to Italy. We have asked everyone with a Glamoo voucher to contact us as we need them to also contact Trading Standards.
We do not feel we have been rude to our guests but please do contact us if you have a Glamoo voucher.
Thanks
Lisa
The Cocoa Box
We booked a hen party at The Cocoa Box and had a great time. The teacher was fun, engaging and made the whole experience perfect. We had cocktails and left with fantastic cupcakes! I even recommended the party to friends who have since done a chocolate making course. We booked direct with the Cocoa Box so not sure about the Glamoo thing?
We had a lovely time at our cupcakes and cocktails class. The hosts were really good fun and helped us with all our questions and gave us some good ideas for decorations. I would really recommend this for a hen party or just a nice day out with your friends - and you get lovely cupcakes to take home with you. What's not to like?!!
I organised a hen party with the Cocoa Box for my best friend. The bride to be was so excited when we suprised her - the room looked lovely with all the cupcakes and the sprinkles. Best of all- fueled by non stop cocktails! It was a really fun afternoon. I don't think you would have time to bake AND decorate cupcakes in only two hours.