In our laminated dough master class, you’ll learn from James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Nicole Plue. From making a butter block to folding and shaping with precision, you’ll make croissants and kouign amann from start to finish. Plus, you’ll learn how to make a “blitz” dough or “rough puff” that can be utilized to shape a variety of pastries. This retreat is an intensive course in lamination over the course of three full days of baking and is limited to 14 bakers.
Each registered baking attendee will receive a one-year subscription to Bake from Scratch. If you’re already a subscriber, you have the option of extending your subscription or gifting it to someone who loves baking.
Arrive in Birmingham and get settled into the Valley Hotel, located in charming downtown Homewood, just 10 minutes away from the Bake from Scratch test kitchen. Dinner will be on your own with our list of top restaurants to try while you’re in Birmingham.
Day 1 in the Bake from Scratch test kitchen: You’ll begin the day with an introduction to lamination by pastry chef Nicole Plue before preparing kouign amann. In-depth instruction will include how to make a butter block, complete turns of the dough, cut, and shape perfect pastries. Lunch, tea, and coffee will be provided, as well as a light breakfast. Class will run from 8:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. Private coach transportation will be provided to/from the test kitchen. Dinner will be on your own with our list of top restaurants to try while you’re in Birmingham.
Day 2 in the Bake from Scratch test kitchen: You’ll begin the day with a review of what you learned the previous day before making croissants. In-depth instruction will include how to make a butter block and complete enclosures, turns of the dough, cut, and shape croissants for an overnight rise. In addition, you’ll learn how to make a “blitz dough” or “rough puff” and use a Brod & Taylor dough sheeter designed for home kitchens and baking enthusiasts. Lunch, tea, and coffee will be provided, as well as a light breakfast. Class will run from 8:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. Private coach transportation will be provided to/from the test kitchen. Dinner will be on your own with our list of top restaurants to try while you’re in Birmingham.
Day 3 in the Bake from Scratch test kitchen: For your final day of this master class, you’ll bake off your croissants and use your “blitz” dough to shape a variety of filled pastries. Lunch, tea, and coffee will be provided, as well as a light breakfast. Class will run from 8:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. Following class, you’ll end the weekend with a special cocktail hour at the hotel. Dinner will be on your own with our list of top restaurants to try while you’re in Birmingham.
Departures on your own.
Hotel accommodations in Birmingham
All baking classes
Light breakfast and lunches
Cocktail hour at The Valley Hotel
Transportation to/from the Bake from Scratch test kitchen
One-year Bake from Scratch subscription
Gift bag with curated favorites
Airfare/travel to Birmingham
Airport transfers
Some meals
The Valley Hotel
The Valley Hotel is located in downtown Homewood, just over the mountain from our test kitchen. From the hotel, you can walk to dozens of locally owned boutiques and restaurants. The hotel has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a cozy area to relax outside by the firepits.
After Nicole won the 2010 James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef, Michael Bauer, former food critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, praised Nicole as “one of the best pastry chefs in the country.” Now, she’s one of the best pastry instructors in the country.
Nicole was on the opening team at Danny Meyer’s Eleven Madison Park and worked at many Michelin-starred restaurants before turning to teaching. For many years, Nicole was the Director of Pastry Arts at San Francisco Cooking School, where she created the curriculum for the program. She now lives and teaches in California’s wine country.
Guests are responsible for getting themselves to Birmingham and to the Valley Hotel on Thursday, October 8. Guests will be responsible for getting themselves from the Valley Hotel to the airport or their next destination on Monday, October 12. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is located a quick 15 minutes away from the hotel.
The Bake from Scratch team is available to assist with travel planning. Email events@bakefromscratch.com for guidance.
Single Baker Occupancy
$4,500 per Baker
1 Baker | 1 Private Hotel Room
Shared Baker Double Occupancy
$4,000 per Baker
2 Bakers | 1 Hotel Room
A 50% deposit is due within 48 hours of confirmation, along with signed travel waiver and cancellation policy acknowledgment
The remaining 50% balance is due July 1, 2026
Payments accepted: ACH direct deposit, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club, and Union Pay
All prices are listed in U.S. dollars
All bookings for this retreat are final and nonrefundable under all circumstances. For this reason, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, interruption, illness, and other unexpected events. You agree that you will not initiate a charge-back or payment dispute for amounts properly charged in accordance with this policy.
If you choose not to purchase travel insurance, you understand and agree that you are responsible for all costs or losses related to trip interruptions.
Changes, Cancellations & Unforeseen Events
We are not responsible for expenses related to travel delays, cancellations, illness, injury, or other events beyond our control, including but not limited to weather, government actions, and airline or transportation issues.
In the event that we must cancel this retreat due to circumstances beyond our control, our liability will be limited to a refund of amounts paid to us, or a credit toward a future retreat, at our discretion. We are not responsible for additional expenses such as airfare, lodging, or other travel costs.
Health & Travel Risks
Travel involves inherent risks, including the risk of exposure to communicable illnesses. By booking this retreat, you acknowledge these risks and agree to assume responsibility for your own health and safety during the trip.
If you become ill during the retreat, particularly with a suspected or confirmed contagious condition, the group leaders may require you to modify or end your participation if they reasonably believe your presence poses a health or safety risk to other participants. In such cases, no refund or credit will be provided.
Program Changes
Due to circumstances beyond our control, certain activities, instructors, services, or amenities may be modified, substituted, or unavailable. Such changes do not constitute grounds for a refund, but we will work tirelessly to make sure you have the best experience possible.
Acknowledgment
By booking this retreat, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to this Trip Cancellation & Travel Risk Policy.
Can I extend my stay at the hotel? If you’d like to inquire about additional nights at the hotel, please email events@bakefromscratch.com.
Is breakfast included?
Coffee, tea, and a light breakfast will be provided each morning.
Are children able to attend this retreat? All participants must be 18 years old or older to attend this baking retreat.
What will I bake? This retreat dives deep into laminated dough. You’ll bake kouign amann and croissants from start to finish as well as make a blitz dough to use for various pastries.
What should I plan to wear during baking classes? Casual clothing and nonslip, closed-toe shoes. Long hair should be pulled back. Aprons will be provided.
Are the baking classes hands-on? Yes, all baking classes will be intensive and hands-on. You will complete each recipe on your own, from start to finish. In addition, you will have your own kitchen space, stand mixer, equipment, and oven to use.
Is this retreat better suited for professionals or home bakers? Our retreats are geared toward passionate home bakers, but professionals are always welcome. Since this retreat is an intensive in laminated dough, the baking days are long and require stamina.
Will we have any free time? You will have some free time in the evenings to explore Birmingham and downtown Homewood.