A Guide unit in Aberdeen clocked up some brownie points after creating ‘History in the Baking’ at an exclusive shortbread art workshop last week. 

 

The workshop was organised by Huntly-based Dean’s, the producer of premium quality shortbread and biscuits, and led by facilitator Anthony Schrag, in association with Deveron Arts, also based in Huntly. They form a wider tour round various towns and cities in Scotland during the summer break targeting youth groups.

 

The Guides were tasked with creating artistic sculptures using Dean’s shortbread fingers and then craft their own designs using dough, which was then baked and eaten.

 

The unit also participated in a discussion around the history of the area and what was important to them about living in Aberdeen. The results will be unveiled at a special launch event next month, where the various youth groups will come together to reveal their work. 

 

“The girls had a lot of fun during the Dean’s shortbread art project and the leaders didn't have to think for once, which was nice! Anthony did a great job in getting the girls to work together as a team and discuss the history of Aberdeen, as well as creating some weird and wonderful sculptures using the dough and Dean’s biscuits.

 

“This is a huge year for Girlguiding Scotland, being our centenary, so we have been involved in a number of projects, this one definitely being the tastiest! When the workshop took place, it also happened to be a leaving night for two of our leaders so we had organised a special cake to say goodbye and thanks. However, as the girls were all so full of shortbread, for the first time ever, some of them refused the cake, which we thought was amusing!”

 

The workshops are part of a campaign run by Dean’s to reach out to youngsters across Scotland, which combine team work with baking through art, using Dean’s products as props. The company also aims for the workshops to generate fond memories in the kitchen, which is similar to how the company formed 35 years ago.

 

“We wanted to do something a little different from the norm, which would reach out to youngsters and get a bit of a discussion around their history, seeing as it’s something important to us as a company.

“Dean’s is all about ‘history in the baking’, dating back to 1975, when my mother created her original shortbread recipe, which is now sold worldwide. We hope that the workshops have helped the Guides share fond memories of home baking that they can take home to create some of their own in the kitchen.”