Mix a Bake Off Winner with a MasterChef Champ: What Do You Get?

Cooking Up a Double Act You Won’t Forget

Let’s be honest: this pairing reads like foodie fan fiction. Matty, with his patisserie wizardry and Bake Off charm, and Tom, whose MasterChef: The Professionals victory in 2023 put him firmly on the map.. When they team up, you get a class that’s equal parts skill, silliness, and flavour.

And unlike the TV shows where you only get to watch from your sofa, this is hands-on. Apron on, chopping board at the ready, you’ll be guided by two champions in real time. Expect banter, honest tips, and maybe the occasional “oops” moment (because even champions know things don’t always go to plan — and that’s half the fun).

Here’s the breakdown:

October 10th & 24th – Matty & Tom Masterclass

• Tom’s Beef Fillet with Roscoff Onion, Lovage Emulsion, Grey Oyster Mushroom & Rich Beef Jus
  This is the kind of plate you’d expect to see in a fine-dining restaurant, but Tom’s bringing it straight to your chopping board. Under his guidance, you’ll learn how to pan-sear beef to perfection, balance rich jus with delicate emulsion, and work with beautiful seasonal produce like Roscoff onions and oyster mushrooms. It’s precision without pretension — fine dining you can actually feel confident recreating at home.
  
  
  
• Matty’s Vanilla Basque with Crumble Topping & Blackberry Compote
  From savoury to sweet, Matty will lead you through a bake that’s as comforting as it is impressive. Creamy vanilla custard-like filling, crunchy crumble top, and a tangy blackberry compote to balance it all out. It’s a dessert full of texture, flavour, and that Bake-Off-worthy flair. And yes — you’ll actually learn how to get that picture-perfect finish.

November 7th & 21st – Matty’s Afternoon Tea Masterclass

Matty’s back for two dates in November, this time celebrating the ultimate British tradition: Afternoon Tea. Expect a line-up of recipes that you’ll want to make again (and again):

• Golden sausage rolls
• Caramel chocolate tart
• Paris Brest

Each class includes a full hands-on experience, laughter from fellow food lovers, a take-home apron, signed recipes, and skills you’ll brag about later.

Meet the Chefs: Who’s Who in the Kitchen

Matty Edgell: The Bake Off Champion

Matty stole the nation’s heart on Great British Bake Off 2023. Calm under pressure, always smiling, and with a knack for patisserie that could impress even Paul Hollywood, he rose from amateur baker to champion. Since then, he’s been busy teaching, creating, and spreading his joy of baking everywhere from festivals to classrooms. His style is approachable and fun, and he has a gift for explaining even the trickiest techniques in a way that makes you think, “Yep, I can do that.”

Tom Hamblet: The MasterChef Pro

Tom grew up surrounded by food — his parents both work in hospitality — and worked his way through the kitchens at South Lodge. After winning MasterChef: The Professionals in 2023, he brought the MasterChef experience to Camellia at South Lodge before taking up his current role as Head Chef at The Avenue at Lainston House. Tom’s teaching at the cookery school combines his fine-dining expertise with a down-to-earth style, making even complex dishes feel totally achievable.

Together? They’re the perfect mix of Bake Off sweetness and MasterChef skill.

What It’s Like at Season Cookery School

Cooking here isn’t like standing at the back of a demonstration hall trying to squint at what the chef’s doing on stage. At Season Cookery School, you’re front and centre. It’s all hands-on: you’ll be chopping, mixing, searing, and plating under the guidance of Matty and Tom.

The school itself is tucked in the grounds of Lainston House — a 17th-century Hampshire hotel surrounded by gardens, kitchen plots, and orchards. It’s a foodie’s playground, designed to inspire. The cookery school has individual workstations, all the kit you need, and that mix of professional polish and welcoming warmth that makes you want to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.

There’s a rhythm to the day too: bursts of activity, moments to watch and learn, and plenty of laughter. Lunch and drinks are included, because let’s be honest — cooking is thirsty work. And yes, you’ll eat everything you make.

Q&A with Matty & Tom

We’ve lined up a set of questions for the chefs — get ready for stories, insider tips, and a few surprises from the kitchen.

For Matty:

1. What’s your favourite weekend bake when you’re cooking just for joy? Something simple like a lemon drizzle.
2. Got one Bake Off trick that always impresses at home? I would say tempering chocolate and making my own box of chocolates. This happens very rarely but always goes down well when I do.
3. If your baking had a theme song, what would it be? This one’s hard! Very dependent on what I’m baking. I’d like to say something relaxing but that sometimes isn’t the case!
4. Ever had a baking disaster that turned into a happy surprise? Yes! I took a caramel too far with the heat and it turned into more of a toffee. Rather than use it for its purpose I drizzled it with chocolate and it was delicious.

For Tom:

1. How do you stay calm when service heats up in a pro kitchen? I think the main thing is to remember that your team can sense your stress. If you stay calm, they will too — and that results in much smoother busy periods.
2.  What cooking skill should every home chef master? Everyone should learn how to make their own bread. It’s actually very easy, and it’s cheaper to make than to buy!
3. Ingredient secret you love to sneak into dishes? It's not so much a specific ingredient, but I think the occasional something sweet on a main course can really cut through the richness. For example, we do a smoked vinegar gel on our lamb course and it's a great accompaniment.
4. If your baking had a theme song, what would it be? I think Free as a Bird would be appropriate - all calm at the start and by the end it's chaos, especially the washing up in the sink.