Chapel Kitchen
Sourdough and specialised baking courses

About Chapel Kitchen

Welcome to Chapel Kitchen, a space where the joy of baking meets the charm of history. Our courses take place in a lovingly restored 19th-century Methodist chapel in the heart of Middleham, North Yorkshire, a setting that is as inspiring as it is welcoming. Each class is designed to be hands-on, relaxed, and filled with the simple pleasures of good food, good company, and new skills. With small groups, step-by-step guidance, and plenty of time to enjoy the process, you’ll leave not only with delicious bakes to take home, but also the confidence to recreate them in your own kitchen. Whether you’re joining us on your own, with friends, or as part of a family group, a day at Chapel Kitchen is about more than baking—it’s about slowing down, learning something new, and sharing in the timeless tradition of making food together.

Sourdough Classes

If you've ever wondered what it feels like to turn flour, water and salt into something with a soul, come and spend the day with us at Chapel Kitchen. With just flour, water, and salt, you’ll learn how to create bread with depth, flavour, and soul.

Whether you’re a complete novice or already have some baking experience, this full-day, hands-on course (10 am–5 pm) will give you the skills and confidence to bake beautiful sourdough at home.

Working in our large domestic kitchen, you’ll gain practical experience that easily translates to your own setting. With a maximum of just four people per class, you’ll enjoy plenty of individual guidance as you mix, fold, shape, and bake your dough. You’ll also explore how to use inclusions for extra flavour, as well as creative ways to make the most of your sourdough discard. By the end of the day, you’ll leave with your own baked loaves, printed recipes, and a tub of sourdough starter to continue your journey at home.

Outline of the Day

• Introduction to sourdough

• Mixing and folding

• Inclusions — ideas for flavour combinations

• Benching and shaping

• Proving and baking

• Care and feeding of your starter

Upcoming Dates 2026

• Wednesday 6th May (10 am–5 pm) - FULL

• Saturday, 13th June (10 am–5 pm) - 1 place left

• Saturday, 20th June (10 am–5 pm) - FULL

• Saturday, 27th June (10 am–5 pm) - FULL

• Saturday, 8th August (10 am–5 pm) - 1 place left

• Saturday, 15th August (10 am–5 pm) - open

• Friday, 4th Sept (10 am–5 pm) - open

• Saturday 26th Sept (10 am–5 pm) - 1 place left

• Tuesday, 6th Oct (10 am–5 pm) - open

• Saturday 17th October (10 am–5 pm) - 2 places left

• Saturday 24th October (10 am–5 pm) - open

• Wednesday 4th November (10 am–5 pm) - open

The last of our baking dates for this year will be entered around the flavours and warmth of Christmas.

This special sourdough course is designed to bring a seasonal twist to our normal sourdough course. We will be making 2 flavoured sourdough loaves, as well as some additional seasonal treats, all inspired by the tastes and aromas of Christmas.

• Saturday 14th November (10 am–5 pm) - open

• Saturday 5th December (10 am–5 pm) - open

• Wednesday 9th December (10 am–5 pm) - open

£150 per person - including all ingredients, tuition, a delicious lunch, refreshments, recipes, and your own sourdough starter.

Ready to book? Simply email us at chapelkitchen@icloud.com to reserve your spot or inquire further. Spaces are very limited, so don’t miss your chance to bake something special in our charming chapel kitchen.

If the above dates don't work for you, why not consider booking a private day for you and your friends or family? for groups of 3-4 people I am happy to arrange private baking days for the same per person cost as my normal baking days.

Bagels and English muffins baking classes

There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh, homemade bread straight from the oven—and in this course, you’ll discover the joy of creating two bakery favourites: chewy, golden bagels and light, fluffy English muffins.

Guided by Lisa, drawing on recipes from her award-winning bakery, you’ll learn every step of the process, from shaping and boiling bagels to creating muffins perfect for toasting and buttering at home.

With step-by-step guidance in a small group, you’ll gain the confidence and skills to recreate these classics in your own kitchen. Alongside the baking, you’ll enjoy refreshments, a light lunch, and leave with all the bagels and muffins you make, plus printed recipe cards to continue baking long after the day ends.

Upcoming Dates

• Saturday 21st Nov 2026 (10 am–3 pm)

£125 per person — including all ingredients, tuition, lunch, recipes and your day’s bakes.

Our classes are kept intentionally small so whether you’re joining solo or bringing along friends or family, you’ll enjoy plenty of personalized attention, hands-on instruction, and the chance to unwind while learning a new skill.

Ready to book? Simply email us at chapelkitchen@icloud.com to reserve your spot or inquire further. Spaces are limited to keep the day relaxed and rewarding—don’t miss your chance to bake something special in our charming chapel kitchen.

Yorkshire rascals and tempting shortbread

Step into our lovingly restored 19th-century chapel in historic Middleham, North Yorkshire, for a relaxed and immersive baking experience. From 10 am until 2:30 pm, this hands-on course will guide you through two special bakes: Yorkshire Rascals (also known as Fat Rascals), a uniquely Yorkshire delight, seldom made anywhere else and fragrant, buttery Lavender Shortbread. Both recipes are steeped in tradition and flavour, and you’ll leave with everything you create on the day to share (or savour yourself).

With step-by-step guidance in a small group, you’ll enjoy a warm, supportive atmosphere and gain the confidence to recreate these traditional treats at home. Alongside the baking, you’ll enjoy refreshments, a light lunch, and take home all of your rascals and shortbread as well as printed recipe cards for future baking.

Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday, 30th June (10 am–2:30) - FULL

• Wed, 19th August (10 am–2:30 pm)- 2 places left

£95 per person, including all ingredients, tuition, lunch, and your day’s bakes.

Ready to book? Simply email us at chapelkitchen@icloud.com to reserve your spot or inquire further. Spaces are limited to keep the day relaxed and rewarding, so don’t miss your chance to bake something special in our charming chapel kitchen.

Bespoke events -

Private Group Baking Classes at the Chapel

Looking for a unique and creative experience to spend time with family or friends? Our private baking experiences are designed for small group of 3-4 people and offer a relaxed, hands on day of baking, learning, laughter and fun. Perfect for weekends away, family get togethers, or just a day to spend with friends that offers a bit more.

You'll spend the day here in our renovated 19th century Methodist Chapel in the heart of Wensleydale working with your hands, and spending time with the people who matter in your life. Included in the day is a delicious lunch and all of the baked goods you have made throughout the day.

To start planning your bespoke baking day, simply email us as chapelkitchen@icloud.com with your preferred date, number of people and your contact details.

Places to stay in and around Middleham

If you’re joining us for one of our baking courses, why not turn your visit into a little getaway? Chapel Kitchen sits in the heart of beautiful countryside, surrounded by rolling green hills, winding walking trails, and picture-postcard villages. Just a short stroll or drive from our doors, you’ll find quiet lanes lined with stone cottages, cosy pubs serving local fare, and wide-open spaces perfect for clearing your head after a day in the kitchen.

Whether you fancy a riverside walk, a hike to take in sweeping views, or simply time to slow down and soak up the peace of the countryside, there’s plenty to enjoy right on our doorstep. A baking course here isn’t just a chance to learn new skills—it’s an invitation to pause, breathe, and explore a corner of the country that feels both restorative and inspiring. If you would like to extend your visit, here are a couple links to local hotels that we recommend.

The Dante Arms - 01969 629528

This is a great local pub, a 2 minute walk to the Chapel. They don’t have a website but they can be found on Facebook.

The Priory - https://priorymiddleham.co.uk

A beautiful Bed and breakfast just a few doors away from the Chapel.

The Wensleydale Hotel- https://www.thewensleydalehotel.com

A charming hotel located in the Marketplace, the hotel has an excellent restaurant that you can book with, even if your not staying the night.

The Old Manse - https://www.theoldmansemiddleham.com/

A beautifully renovated Grade II listed Georgian house. The perfect venue for groups of friends or family looking for a getaway to the Yorkshire Dales. Only steps away from the chapel, guests staying at the Old Manse will also receive a 10% discount off of all Chapel Kitchen baking courses.

Castle Keep Tea room - https://castlekeeptearoom.co.uk/rooms/

A cosy B&B, just a few steps away from the Chapel.

Richard III Hotel - https://www.valiantpubs.com/richard-iii-middleham/accommodation

A newly refurbished pub, located in the Middleham marketplace, just a few minutes walk to the chapel

If you are coming in a camper or motorhome, here are a few links to local sites.

Cow Close Caravan and Camping | Caravans Motorhomes and Tent Pitches | Yorkshire Campsite | Leyburn North Yorkshire

Lower Wensleydale Club Campsite | The Caravan Club

https://akebarpark.com/touring-park/

To discover more things to do check out the Kayak guide for the area.