Rhubarb Spring Pudding: Waste Not, Want Not Workshop

Celebrate the first fruit of spring with a gorgeous, budget-friendly dessert!

Join us for a delightful cookery workshop where you’ll learn to make a beautiful rhubarb spring pudding—the perfect way to celebrate spring’s vibrant pink stalks! Rhubarb is the very first fruit of the year, and spring pudding is a stunning way to showcase its gorgeous colour and tangy flavour. Think summer pudding’s spring cousin—layers of bread soaked in sweet-tart rhubarb compote, creating a beautiful pink dessert that looks fancy but is wonderfully economical. This workshop combines seasonal cooking with budget-friendly techniques, showing you how to create an impressive dessert that’s surprisingly simple and absolutely delicious.

Completely free, with all ingredients provided and plenty to take home!

Your rhubarb spring pudding:

• Made with fresh, seasonal rhubarb at its absolute best
• Beautiful pink colour that looks impressive on any table
• No baking required—just layering and chilling!
• Uses simple, affordable ingredients (bread, rhubarb, sugar)
• Perfect make-ahead dessert for spring gatherings
• Learn to prepare, cook, and flavour rhubarb perfectly

This is comfort food at its finest—nostalgic, beautiful, and utterly delicious. Plus, you’ll discover how versatile rhubarb can be beyond the traditional crumble!

What you’ll learn

Rhubarb skills:

• How to prepare rhubarb properly (what to keep, what to discard)
• Cooking rhubarb to perfect tenderness with vibrant colour
• Balancing sweet and tart flavours
• When and how to harvest rhubarb if you grow your own
• Understanding rhubarb’s seasonality
• Different ways to use rhubarb throughout spring and early summer

Pudding-making techniques:

• Layering and building the spring pudding
• Getting the bread-to-fruit ratio just right
• Creating beautiful presentation
• How to unmould successfully for that “wow” moment
• Make-ahead dessert planning

Budget cooking wisdom:

• Using day-old bread (nothing goes to waste!)
• Making impressive desserts from simple, cheap ingredients
• Stretching rhubarb with other seasonal fruits if needed
• Serving suggestions to make it go further
• Leftover ideas and variations

Kitchen essentials:

• Proper handwashing and hygiene practices
• Using equipment safely
• Following recipes and adapting them

Perfect for

Anyone who loves seasonal cooking, people wanting to make impressive desserts on a budget, those looking to use rhubarb in new ways beyond crumble, beginners wanting to build dessert-making confidence, families needing affordable pudding ideas, or anyone curious about traditional British puddings. No experience necessary—this workshop welcomes everyone!

Workshop details

Grow, Cook, Share, Care is a Hands of Hope programme engaging vulnerable groups, those with complex needs, families, especially those living in food poverty, and older people, in learning, wellness and social activities aligned to growing, cooking, and nature.

Suitable for all. Priority for spaces will be given to people meeting the criteria: aged over 50, young carers and young adults with learning disabilities.

There is no charge for this workshop, donations are always welcome!

Please ensure you arrive ten minutes before the start time to ensure we can get everyone registered, and please bring a container to take your home your goodies.

Each participant must book individually so we can monitor eligibility and ensure we’re fully prepared for everyone attending the workshop.