Decorate Christmas Cookies Like a Pro at Baked by Steph in Bethnal Green
A Festive Workshop Under a Bethnal Green Railway Arch
If you have walked along Paradise Row recently, you will have noticed how the railway arches have changed. Where there were once dusty storage spaces, there are now workshops, studios and independent food makers, and Baked by Steph has become one of the more popular names in the area. On Saturday 21 November, the bakery’s railway arch will host a Christmas cookie decorating masterclass, run in partnership with London On The Inside. It is a rare chance to step into a working East London bakery and watch the process up close. The session runs from 11am to 12.30pm and is designed for people who have never iced a biscuit in their lives. For those of us who live in the area, it is a short, cosy way to start the festive season without leaving the neighbourhood. Readers coming from further afield, such as Hounslow, Whitton or Richmond, will need a proper journey across the city, but the arch’s relaxed atmosphere makes the trip feel worthwhile. Bethnal Green has always been a place where local craft and small business matter, and this event is a good example of that spirit in action. Arrive a few minutes early, as the space is intimate and the session is designed to feel personal rather than crowded.
The Bakery Behind the Icing
Baked by Steph is an independent bakery run by Steph, who was born in Belfast and began baking seven years ago while she was between jobs. What started as a way to fill time has grown into a business with a team of 14 who hand-ice every cookie that leaves the kitchen. The bakery makes custom cookies, cakes and macarons for well-known brands, including Selfridges, John Lewis, Meta, Disney and Tiffany and Co, which is an impressive list for a business rooted in a railway arch. Its decorating videos have also built a loyal online audience of more than 119,000 followers on Instagram, around 26,000 on TikTok and 12,000 on YouTube. For many local people, that online following means they already recognise the work, but seeing the techniques in person is a different experience. For small business owners across west London, including those running a Hounslow bookkeeping practice and juggling a busy year-end, a hands-on festive session could be a welcome break from spreadsheets and deadlines. The masterclass also offers a practical boost to independent makers in the area, because it turns online admiration into real visits, real spending and real word of mouth. When local creative businesses succeed, the benefit tends to ripple out to suppliers, neighbouring shops and the wider high street.
What to Know Before You Book
The masterclass costs £30 per person and is limited to between eight and ten participants, so places are likely to go quickly as the festive season approaches. Each session covers the basics step by step, starting with outlining and flooding for a smooth finish, then moving on to detail, texture and seasonal touches. You will decorate a box of four cookies, a gingerbread man, a candy cane, a wreath and a bauble, and take them home in a gift box. Everything is supplied, including the cookies, icing, piping bags, tools and aprons, so you only need to bring your enthusiasm. The session suits adults, or young people aged 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Anyone with allergies should read the details carefully. The cookies contain gluten, dairy and egg, and they are made in a kitchen that handles nuts. Allergens cannot be catered for on the day, so people with serious allergies should think carefully before booking. If you are planning a present for a friend or a family outing, this is a sociable way to spend a Saturday morning in late autumn. For full details and to reserve a place, visit bakedbysteph.co.uk. Keep an eye on the website in the weeks before the event, as last-minute availability can change quickly and it is worth checking early.
Source: Decorate Christmas Cookies Like A Pro At Our Masterclass With Baked by Steph
