One of the country’s oldest bakeries is to set up Scotland’s first ever dedicated bake school.
Campbell’s in Crieff, which was established in the Pethshire town in 1830, are hoping to take advantage of the rise in popularity baking is enjoying across the UK by setting up a Saturday afternoon class for people of all cooking abilities.
Award winning baker Iain Campbell, who is the seventh generation Campbell to run the business, will lead classes teaching students traditional methods of sweet and savoury Scottish baking.
He said “Baking is in my DNA, and is something I love to do. It would appear that many more people in this country are now wanting to join me and learn more about baking, to master the professional techniques and develop their own ideas and signature bakes.
“Clearly, this has been fuelled by TV programmes such as the Great British Bake Off. We’re not complaining as not only have they made baking hugely popular again, they have put artisan producers like us in the spotlight.
“In many areas of food and drink, from farming to production, there has been a marked shift back to the notion of craftsmanship, quality and provenance — none more so than in baking, which gives a better result with quality ingredients and proven recipes for example.
“We’ve also seen a desire to maintain and build on old skills in this country, which, with people living a faster paced, more disposable lifestyle, may otherwise have died out.”
Campbell’s hope the school can be part of a wider effort to make Crieff a visitor destination hotspot.
Iain’s wife Ailsa — who has been heavily active in the efforts to regenerate Crieff’s town centre — notes their King Street shop is attached to the derelict former Strathearn Hotel, which has stood empty since 2007.
The couple plan to expand the business on to the site if the bake school proves a success, something they believe would be of benefit to the whole town.
Ailsa said: “We have joined forces with local property developer, Braemore Estates, which is opposite the derelict hotel on Commissioner Street.
“We have also lined up the Denholm Partnership, a local firm of architects to design the new building. We are presenting a unified front of local businesses to propose a workable plan for this building.
““If we can get the go ahead there will be enough room for us to expand our business. It’s the first step to obtaining a brown sign for the bakery as a top visitor destination.”
For more information on the Bake School, call 01764 652114 or visit campbellsbakery.com
