Join Brian Hart Hoffman and guest JR Ryall, pastry chef at Ireland’s Ballymaloe House and author of Ballymaloe Desserts: Iconic Recipes and Stories from Ireland, for an unforgettable weekend of baking, learning, and connection. In this immersive retreat, you’ll make beloved recipes like an Almost Molten Chocolate Tart with its barely set chocolate center, a Pistachio Meringue Roulade with Strawberry, Traditional Irish Soda Bread, simple Irish Oatmeal Cookies, and a Hot Lemon Pudding with its signature saucy lemon curd. Brian Hart Hoffman, Editor-in-Chief of Bake from Scratch, will also join to teach an Irish recipe inspired by his travels to the Emerald Isle.

From mixing and whipping to shaping and baking, JR will guide you step-by-step through each recipe, sharing his expert tips, approachable methods, and signature inspiration along the way.

This retreat is limited to 24 bakers and is designed for those who love baking and community.

Each registered baking participant will receive a one-year subscription to Bake from Scratch or another Hoffman Media magazine. If you’re already a subscriber, you may extend your subscription or gift it to someone who loves baking.

The Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook

We’re excited to call the Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook, Birmingham’s top-rated hotel, our 2027 retreat home! It's located in the English-Tudor styled village of Mountain Brook, 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 spa.

Guests are responsible for getting themselves to Birmingham and to the Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook on Friday, January 22, when the retreat commences. Guests will be responsible for getting themselves from the Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook to the airport or their next destination on Monday, January 25. 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.

• 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 September 15, 2026

• Payments accepted: American Express, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Amazon Pay

• All prices are listed in U.S. dollars

A 3% discount is included for payments made via secure bank transfer (ACH).
A 1% discount applies when paying the full retreat cost at booking.

• Hotel accommodations in Birmingham

• All baking classes

• Light breakfast and lunches

• Welcome reception

• Transportation to/from the Bake from Scratch test kitchen

• One-year subscription to Bake from Scratch or another Hoffman Media publication

• Gift bag with some of our favorite baking items

• Airfare/travel to Birmingham

• Airport transfers

• Some meals

What’s Included:

• Hotel accommodations in Birmingham

• Lunch in the Bake from Scratch test kitchen if you’d like to join your baker

• Welcome wine reception

What’s Not Included:

• All baking classes

• Light breakfast and other meals

• Transportation to/from the Bake from Scratch test kitchen

• One-year subscription to Bake from Scratch or another Hoffman Media publication

• Gift bag with some of our favorite baking items

• Airfare/travel to Birmingham

• Airport transfers

• Some meals

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 ensure an exceptional experience.

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.

I live in Birmingham. Can I attend and not stay in a hotel? Please email us at events@bakefromscratch.com if you are a Birmingham resident and would like information on a commuter package. Proof of residence in Birmingham is required to book a commuter package.

Is breakfast included? Coffee, tea, and a light breakfast will be provided each morning in our test kitchen. 

Do single travelers attend your retreats? We always have single travelers on our retreats, and many make plans in advance for dinners and free time. We will connect you with attendees ahead of the retreat via WhatsApp.

Are children able to attend this retreat? All participants must be 18 years old or older to attend this baking retreat.

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 are hands-on. 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.

Will we have any free time? You will have some free time in the evenings to explore Birmingham.

I want to bring my travel companion, but they don’t want to participate in the baking classes. What can they do?
Your non-baking companion is invited to the welcome reception and for a casual lunch in our test kitchen on baking days if they’d like to stop by and see what you’re up to in the kitchen. Otherwise, your travel companion can explore Birmingham on their own.