Experience the Magic of Woodfired Cooking at Mill Cross Retreats
At Mill Cross Retreats, we offer more than just a cookery course; we provide an immersive experience that combines the rustic charm of woodfired cooking in our brilliant Gozney oven with the beauty of the Devon countryside. Our private woodfired cookery courses, booked at a date and time to suit you, are designed to cater to your needs, whether you're a group of friends who are food enthusiasts looking for a special way to get together, a family looking for a unique bonding experience, or a work team seeking a memorable team-building activity.
Why Woodfired Cooking?
Woodfired cooking is a tradition that dates back centuries, offering a unique way to prepare food that infuses every dish with a smoky depth of flavour you can't achieve with conventional ovens. The high heat of a woodfired oven allows for crisp crusts, tender meats, and perfectly roasted vegetables. It's an artisanal approach to cooking that connects you with the food and the process in a deeply satisfying way.
In The Bakehouse at Mill Cross Retreats, we make this ancient method accessible to everyone. Our woodfired cookery courses are all about learning to harness the power of fire to create meals that are both delicious and memorable. Whether you’re crafting the perfect pizza or slow-roasting meats, you’ll gain a newfound appreciation for the art of cooking, with dishes and recipes that can be replicated in your home oven.
We source our ash from Dartmoor- that's really keeping it local!
What to Expect from Our Courses
When you join one of our private woodfired cookery courses, you’re not just signing up for a cooking class; you're embarking on a culinary journey. From the moment you arrive at our easy to reach picturesque retreat, nestled in the rolling hills of Devon, you’ll feel the stress of daily life melt away. Our courses are designed to be both educational and relaxing, giving you the skills to cook with confidence while enjoying the peaceful surroundings. You’ll enjoy our own organic cakes and bakes as well as eating your food creations during your time with us. You’ll be looked after with organic coffees, teas and locally sourced organic wines, craft ale and lager or Luscombe organics soft drinks
Course Structure: Our courses are customizable to fit your wishes and can cater for DF and vegan diets, plus GF on our feast courses. Whether you prefer a half-day session focused on mastering woodfired pizza or a full-day experience making either a Persian or Italian feast, we have the course for you. You'll work closely with Emma & Kevin, who will guide you through every step of the process, from prepping ingredients to managing the woodfire.
Hands-On Experience: Cooking is a tactile experience, and our courses emphasise hands-on learning. You’ll chop, knead, and cook your way through the day, with our guidance offering tips and insights to help you perfect your techniques. If you join us for the feast course, you’ll create a variety of dishes, ready to be enjoyed in a communal lunch and supper with your fellow participants. On our half day pizza courses, you’ll enjoy a woodfired pizza and your pudding here and take home focaccia, dough and sauce for another day.
Seasonal Cooking with Local Ingredients
At Mill Cross Retreats, we believe in the power of fresh, local ingredients- organic wherever possible. Our farm-to-table philosophy means that we source as much as possible from nearby farms and our own gardens. Each course menu is designed around the seasonal produce available, ensuring that your dishes are not only delicious but also sustainable.
Imagine preparing a woodfired meal using tomatoes picked at the peak of summer, or roasting squash and root vegetables harvested in the autumn or cooking meat that is farmed within Devon, raised naturally and grass reared. This connection to the land enhances the cooking experience, allowing you to create dishes that are truly of the moment.
A Social and Memorable Experience
Cooking is more than just preparing food; for us, it’s about coming together to share an experience. Our courses are designed to be social, bringing you together, to exchange ideas, and enjoy the fruits of your labour around a communal table.
Whether you're here with family, friends, or colleagues, you'll find that the process of creating a meal together is a powerful way to bond. We've seen countless moments of joy as participants pull their creations from the oven, eager to taste and share.
Testimonials: Jenny said "I came here with six of my family for a Persian feast course and it was such a special experience. We learned so much, but more than that, we connected in a way we hadn't in a long time. And the food—just incredible!"
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices
We’re committed to sustainability at Mill Cross Retreats. Our woodfired cooking courses are designed with eco-friendly practices in mind, from sourcing ingredients to minimising waste. The retreat itself is built with sustainability at its core, featuring eco-friendly accommodations and renewable energy sources.
Eco-Friendly Features:
Energy-Efficient Woodfired Ovens: Our ovens are designed to maximise efficiency and minimise emissions, ensuring that your cooking experience is both enjoyable and environmentally responsible.
Waste Reduction: We compost food waste and use eco-friendly cleaning products to keep our impact on the environment as low as possible.
Meet the team
Our courses are led by us, Emma & Kevin- experienced cooks with a background in woodfired wedding and party catering- and we are passionate about woodfired cooking. We bring our knowledge and passion for all things foodie, woodfired and organic and a friendly, approachable style to every class. Whether you're a novice cook or a seasoned foodie, we’ll share our experience and tips with you.
Chef Emma: Emma was a keen amateur cook, passionate about bringing family and friends together for nourishing dining at every opportunity until she gave up her career in managing charity services, undertook a month long cookery diploma at the brilliant Ashburton Cookery School and set up Two Birds Kitchen and Pizza, catering for weddings and events. Now just teaching and cooking from home at Mill Cross Retreats, her real passion is still bringing people together over great food and perhaps a glass or two of wine. She's passionate about organic and locally sourced, seasonal food, knowledgeable about nutrition and the power of food for well-being and is a warm and enthusiastic host, serving rustic, hearty dishes that highlight the best of Devon's produce.
Chef Kevin: Kevin has been Emma’s backstop ever since she added woodfired into her repertoire. No-one knows more about wood and heat than Kevin who lights hundreds of fires a year with our wood fired hot tubs at Mill Cross Retreats, our woodburners and our woodfired pizza oven. Kevin usually helps at the pizza cooking stage, tops up drinks and has been described by a guest as a “silent ninja professional”. You’ll see why when you join us.
Book Your Private Woodfired Cookery Course Today
Ready to embark on a culinary adventure? Our private woodfired cookery courses are perfect for anyone looking to learn, relax, and enjoy great food in a beautiful setting. Whether it's for a special occasion or just a day of fun, we promise it will be an experience you'll never forget.
Visit Mill Cross Retreats to book your course on a date and time to suit you and start planning your perfect woodfired cooking experience for you and yours.
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