Cakes and cafes – the perfect society for a chilled Saturday afternoon.
Identified as “a good way to put yourself out there more” by its secretary, 2nd year Newcastle University student Amber Holmes, Newcastle University Baking Society hosts weekly baking events and socials for its members.
I spoke to them to find out what they love about the society, and what potential members should consider before buying their membership.
For £8 a year, plus additional costs of £3 to £4 per baking session, members get access to weekly baking events and socials.
The committee said that they identify more with being a sober society, opting for café trips instead of pub crawls and nights out, a notion appreciated by members like 2nd year Raya Kancheva who says it’s “nice to have a more chill society that did daytime activities.”
“…it’s nice to have a more chill society that did daytime activities.”
Raya Kancheva, Member
Many members spoke about the social aspect of the society, like Benny Suchalla, a masters exchange student from Germany who appreciates the society “because you get to know so many nice people.”
Talking while making tiramisu at this week’s ‘no-bake’ session, Benny said that he had never been part of a society before, since they didn’t have them in his home country, Germany, and “really enjoys the concept”.
The committee agreed; Amber, secretary of the society, said that prior to the society she had “never really put myself out there much” but used the society “to take an active role in meeting new people.”
“I think it’s good to take an active role in meeting new people.”
Amber Holmes, Secretary
The society try to host as many baking events as possible, held at Whickham School and Sports College.
However, secretary Amber did point out that this is not always possible, and they sometimes have to resort to events such as this one, where kitchens aren’t required.
Eleanor Batiste, a 1st year student and first timer at baking society said that while making the tiramisu was “lovely”, she would enjoy the chance “to actually bake something.”
For others, such as 2nd year student Raya Kancheva, the chance to bake is appreciated but it’s the distance that becomes the struggle because the sessions are “really far away because you need an oven”, which aren’t available for student use on campus.
The society have attempted to reach out to closer venues with access to kitchens, such as Newcastle High School for Girls, but there is “no availability” since the school is not currently allowing many members of the public to use their kitchens.
Anushka Yadav, president of the society and 2nd year student at Newcastle University, said that “our only option was Whickham” but despite the struggle they are “still trying to make the most of it.”
She said that the no bake sessions are done because they can be held on Newcastle University Campus and “people can come here easily.”
The next baking session will take place on October 25 at Whickham School and Sports College, a Halloween special with a nod to classic Autumn film ‘Coraline‘ in the form of button cookies.
Memberships for Newcastle University Baking Society are available to all Newcastle University students, via the NUSU website, with weekly baking events available on a ticketed basis.
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Really interesting read