One of my favourite places for quality coffee – Prufrock Coffee on Leather Lane – hosts a hands-on Coffee Lover’s Workshop.
The workshop “celebrates the sensory and manual aspects of brewing by hand” and takes attendees through “a complete set of recipes to get the best out of all the brew methods” that Prufrock endorses – “from Aeropress to espresso, French press to V60.” Conducted downstairs at Prufrock’s training bar, the workshop presents an opportunity to make coffee with a range of professional equipment baristas use to brew.
Supported by Sage Appliances, it’s also a chance to play around with some awesome, top of the line gear, such as the brand’s home espresso machines and its Smart Grinder Pro. A conical burr grinder that automatically doses the same amount each time you grind, that grinder was a dream. I loved it.
Invited by the people at Sage to attend a workshop, I dropped in back in December before all the festive season ruckus commenced (a season so ruckus-y I’m just now getting round to writing about my visit – sorry!). At the time I thought the workshop would make a great gift. I still do and with “lovers” in the title it’s a good one to keep in mind for outies with your sweetie. Big Valentine’s hint there folks!
Like my experiences as a customer having a cuppa at Prufrock, the workshop proved to be just the right amount of coffee geekery and attention to detail (sans any coffee snobbery) with a high level of friendly and appreciative customer service high.
Unlike my experiences as a customer at this popular and often very packed café where nary a free seat to be found during peak times, workshop numbers were low during my session with plenty of personal support from the two baristas on hand.
One of all sorts of bespoke training sessions and special events, the Coffee Lover’s Workshop costs £90 per person.
Prufrock is located at 23-25 Leather Lane, EC1N 7TE. Find out more at prufrockcoffee.com.
For more about Sage by Heston Blumenthal and its range of kitchen appliances designed by food thinkers, made for food thinkers go to sageappliances.co.uk.
