Cookery Demonstrations
Cooking Live at Countryfile Live with NEFF
A Celebration of Food and the Countryside
With more than 400,000 visitors, BBC Countryfile Live has firmly established itself as one of Britain’s largest and most celebrated countryside events. Set against the stunning backdrop of Castle Howard, the four-day show brought together food lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and leading brands. As a result, the NEFF demonstration kitchen became one of the event’s busiest attractions, welcoming hundreds of visitors eager to discover the latest in home cooking.
Showcasing NEFF Innovation
I was delighted to be part of the event, where I showcased the innovative NEFF Slide&Hide® oven, alongside the compact steam oven and microwave appliances. Over the course of four busy days, I presented 40 live cookery demonstrations. During each session, I shared practical baking techniques, time-saving tips and expert advice to help visitors get the very best from their NEFF appliances.
In addition, each demonstration highlighted how NEFF’s innovative technology can make everyday cooking simpler, more enjoyable and consistently reliable. By explaining the features in a live setting, visitors could see exactly how the appliances performed and how they could use them in their own kitchens.
Inspiring Home Bakers
As the demonstrations unfolded, simple ingredients were transformed into freshly baked breads and cakes. Not only did visitors watch each recipe come together step by step, but they also discovered practical ways to improve their own baking at home. Better still, everyone had the chance to sample the freshly baked treats, take away new recipes and leave with plenty of inspiration to recreate them for family and friends.
Furthermore, the demonstrations encouraged plenty of conversation. Visitors asked questions, shared their own baking experiences and picked up useful tips that they could put into practice straight away. This interaction made every session both informative and enjoyable.
Sharing a Passion for Baking
Without doubt, live cookery demonstrations remain one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. Not only do they allow me to share my passion for baking, but they also give me the opportunity to connect with enthusiastic home cooks, answer their questions and exchange ideas.
Most importantly, seeing so many people leave feeling inspired to try new recipes and make the most of their kitchens made Countryfile Live a truly memorable experience. Events like this are a wonderful reminder that good food brings people together, and there is nothing more rewarding than helping others gain the confidence to bake and cook at home.
NEFF Tear and Share Bread
Ingredients
Dough
- 450g white bread dough
Filling ideas
Cheese & Ham
- 30g melted butter
- 30g grated Cheddar cheese
- 40g grated Parmesan
- 55g Parma ham, chopped
- Pinch of mixed herbs
Or Garlic
- 60g ready-made garlic butter
Or Pesto & Sunblushed Tomatoes
- ½ jar pesto
- ½ jar sunblushed tomatoes, chopped
Method
- After the first prove, roll the dough into an oblong measuring approximately 30 × 20cm (12 × 8 inches).
- Spread your chosen filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll up tightly, Swiss roll style.
- Slice into 2.5cm (1 inch) rounds.
- Arrange the slices in a greased 23cm round cake tin, ensuring the edges are touching.
- Leave to prove again until almost doubled in size.
- Bake at 200°C for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Serve warm.
NEFF Tip: Proving bread couldn’t be easier in a NEFF oven using the Dough Proving setting. Alternatively, use a NEFF Warming Drawer on Level 2 for excellent results.
Lemon Drizzle Cake
Serves: 8–10 slices
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking Times
NEFF Microwave Combination
- 180°C + 180W microwave: 14–16 minutes
- 180°C + 90W microwave: 18–20 minutes
NEFF CircoTherm®
- 180°C for 35–40 minutes
Ingredients
For the cake
- 175g softened butter
- 175g caster sugar
- 3 eggs
- 175g self-raising flour
- Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
For the lemon drizzle
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 85g caster sugar
Method
To begin, lightly grease and line either a glass loaf tin or a dark metal loaf tin.
Next, place the softened butter, caster sugar, eggs, self-raising flour and the grated lemon zest into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together for 2–3 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth, light and thoroughly combined.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared tin and gently smooth the surface with a spatula.
For faster baking, cook using the NEFF Microwave Combination setting at 180°C with 180W microwave power for 14–16 minutes. Alternatively, if your microwave model combines hot air with 90W microwave power only, bake for 18–20 minutes.
If you prefer conventional baking, place the cake in a NEFF CircoTherm® oven preheated to 180°C and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the cake is well risen, evenly golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Meanwhile, prepare the drizzle by stirring together the lemon juice and caster sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
Once the cake is baked, leave it to cool in the tin for a few minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack. While the cake is still warm, use a skewer to make small holes all over the surface. Then, slowly spoon the lemon drizzle over the cake, allowing it to soak into every hole. As the cake cools, the syrup will create the classic sweet, crisp lemon topping that makes this bake so irresistible.
Finally, allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.
NEFF Baking Tip
Whichever microwave combination setting you use, it’s always best to check the cake at the earliest recommended cooking time. The cake should feel just firm to the touch while still appearing slightly moist, as the residual heat will continue to cook it during standing time. This helps ensure a beautifully light, moist sponge every time.
https://www.countryfilelive.com/windsor-great-park
https://www.jillweatherburn.co.uk/food-stylist-and-home-economist-services/cookery-demonstrations/