Below are the most frequently asked questions from our clients, so click on a link to skip to the section that you require – if you can’t find the answer to your particular question here, then please contact us and we will get back to you.

Health & Safety during your visit

Your health and safety has always been our highest priority. Below are answers to some of the main questions you may have.

Q: Have you changed your processes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: We have always operated with very high standards of hygiene but have put additional measures in place too. Find out more by clicking here.

Q: Have you made other changes?
A: We have capped our group sizes to maximum six students for group courses to allow extra space for students. Despite relaxation of government rules, we will be maintaining this and all other enhanced measures, for the foreseeable future to enhance safety.

Q: What are your hygiene processes?
A: We have always maintained stringent hygiene procedures, including fastidious hand hygiene which is known to be a major factor in controlling the spread of all germs and viruses. You can find out exactly what our processes are by clicking here.

Q: What are your policies for COVID-19 safety
A: We are committed to your safety and that of our staff and therefore will impose any safety measures advised by the Government or that we feel suitable. Should regulations change students will be advised.

Q: There is a lunch break during my class, what happens?
A: We encourage students not to leave the baking studio at lunch time to help us prevent contamination risks. We recommend bringing a packed lunch and / or snacks for the day. Please note that we regrettably cannot refrigerate or heat food for you during the class or breaks.

Q: What about equipment and ingredients? Will I have to share?
A: You May have to share some ingredients with another person, if it is necessary for practical reasons. A small number of classes do involve pair work, as detailed in the course information.

Q: I am concerned about health and safety. Should I attend a class?
A: 
We have every confidence that your visit will be safe, but if you are still anxious we suggest you wait until you feel 100% confident as our cancellation policy will apply if you decide to change your mind.

Booking & Classes

Q: I really want to take a course but I am not sure which one. Can you help me?
A: Of course! We want you to get the very best out of your time with us, so if you want extra help deciding which course(s) to take, then email or call us and we will offer advice to help you decide.

Q: What sort of ability are your courses aimed at?
A: The emphasis of our courses are learning and fun, for home bakers. We will give you all the skills, recipes and tips you need to produce great results in a domestic setting. That being said, the skill level for each of our courses varies and some are more challenging for more experienced amateurs than others.

Q: I want to book a course. Is your booking system secure?
A: We take your security very seriously and use a secure and integrated online booking system which uses PayPal to process your payment. That way, you know your personal information is in safe hands, your payment is protected and that we are a reputable business. Perfect!

We can also arrange your booking for you. If you choose this option you can still pay securely with your debit or credit card.

Q: How many other people will be at my group course?
A: Total number of students per course is six, though for some it is lower, depending on the course content. What you can be sure of is that all our class sizes are very small compared to many cookery schools, as we feel that small groups make the experience better for everyone. Our courses are very hands on, so we like to ensure that all our guests have the space and facilities to get the best from their session. If you would like to find out the maximum number of students for a particular course, this is detailed in the course descriptions on our courses page

Q: What happens if I am unwell before a class or cannot attend for another reason?
A: Please check carefully to ensure you or the person you have booked for can attend when making your booking. Once your place is booked and paid for (either in full or partially with a deposit) it is confirmed and allocated to you.

However, in emergency situations we aim to be flexible and if written notice by email is received at least 7 days before the class date, then a transfer charge of 25% of the fee paid when booking will be required to move to an alternative date. Should there be any decrease in course fees for the new booking, there will be no partial reimbursement made to the Client.

Please note that cancellation / reschedule requests received within 7 days of the class date will not be transferable and no refund will be given as DTBS will not be able to resell the unwanted place and cannot sustain the loss of two course places for one course fee. In such cases please advise DTBS of a nominated person who can attend in your place.

In all circumstances no-shows will not receive any refund or alternative date. A no-show is defined as a client who does not notify us of their non-attendance before the commencement of the class.

Q: What happens when I arrive at my class?
A: We ask that you arrive a maximum of 15 minutes before your class starts – we won’t be able to admit students any earlier. Once inside you will be asked to wash / sanitise your hands before finding your workstation and depositing your belongings.

Q: Do I need to prepare or bring anything to my course and what time should I arrive?
A: No, all you need to do is arrive a maximum 15 minutes before your course start time! We provide all the ingredients and equipment for your course, including packaging to transport your goodies home at the end of the session. You may however wish to bring a large shopper bag or cool bag with you.

Q: What if I am running late?
A: We ask that you plan your journey carefully as we won’t accept students who are more than 30 minutes late. This is to prevent all the other attendees from being disrupted by latecomers. Please note that students not admitted due to late arrival will not be eligible to rebook or receive a refund.

Q: What should I wear?
A: We provide an apron for your use during your course.

We do recommend that you wear comfortable clothing which is not easily damaged by splashes and spills, that you tie back any loose or long hair and that you wear footwear suitable for a kitchen environment, so no sandals or open toes please. We also advise wearing layers so you can add or remove them depending on the activity. We also suggest jewellery is removed and left at home for safekeeping.

We regret that we cannot take responsibility for any soiling or damage caused to your clothes or possessions whilst your at our classes.

Q: The course information mentions refreshments. What are these and do you provide lunch?
A: We offer refreshments such as quality teas, coffee, natural cordials and fresh water throughout your time with us or you can choose to bring your own if preferred.

Q: Should I bring a packed lunch?
A: To prevent excess traffic to and from our baking studio, we highly recommend all students bring a packed lunch and any snacks they might need for their visit. There will not be time for students to leave for a sit down lunch unfortunately as breaks may be short and spaced according to the progress of the whole group.

Q: How much time is set aside for lunch and what time is it?
A: The duration and timing of lunch / breaks varies by class but is usually divided across the day depending on the nature of the course content and the speed at which the group works on the day.

Q: I have a food intolerance. Are Delightful Tea classes suitable for me?
A: We try to accommodate students with food intolerances, but do request that you consult us prior to booking to ensure that we can properly cater for your allergy needs where possible. However, if any changes will result in changes to the class recipes, then unfortunately we cannot help as this would affect the progress of the class overall.

If you have a more serious allergy then respectively we would ask you to consider a private session as this would enable us to ensure that no cross-contamination occurs. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us.

Regrettably we cannot accommodate students with nut allergies.

Q: I would like to arrange a party for my child – how do I do this?
A: We offer children’s party packages. You can find information and prices by following this link. We are also able to design bespoke party activities, so please get in contact if you would like a quote.

Back to the top

Payments

Q: I would like to make payment with cash or BACS transfer. Is this possible?
A: If you would like to pay for your class(es) or gift vouchers with BACS or cash, then you will need to contact us either by email or telephone, letting us know which class(es) and / or vouchers you require. Once we have a cleared payment we will confirm your booking or despatch any vouchers to you, but please be aware that we are not able to hold any course place whilst payment clears (this is approximately five working days from receipt for cheque), so cannot guarantee you your first choice class date until cleared. If you have any queries regarding this, please contact us to discuss.

We are able to take contact-limited bookings and sell gift vouchers at our studio by prior arrangement. Please contact us to make an appointment.

We no longer accept cheques for payment.

Q: Are there any additional course fees or booking fees I should be aware of?
A: When you book our courses there are no additional charges or booking fees applicable. Gift vouchers include standard first class postage.

Q: Since booking my course I have noticed a promotional discount or special offer – can I receive this discount?
A: We reserve the right to offer discounts, promotions and reductions at any time, for any course or for gift vouchers. These are not applicable respectively. If you would like to keep up with our latest news, promotions, discounts and special offers you can email us to be added to our mailing list* or you can ‘like’ our Facebook page.

*We do not divulge or share your contact details with third parties under any circumstances.

Back to the top

Cancellations, Latecomers & Refund Policy

Q: What happens if I cannot attend a course I have booked?
A: Please check carefully to ensure you or the person you have booked for can attend when making your booking. Once your place is booked and paid for (either in full or partially with a deposit) it is confirmed and allocated to you.

However, in emergency situations we aim to be flexible and if written notice by email is received at least 7 days before the class date, then a transfer charge of 25% of the fee paid when booking will be required to move to an alternative date. Should there be any decrease in course fees for the new booking, there will be no partial reimbursement made.

Please note that cancellation / reschedule requests received within 7 days of the class date will not be transferable and no refund will be given as DTBS will not be able to resell the unwanted place and cannot sustain the loss of two course places for one course fee. In such cases please advise DTBS of a nominated person who can attend in your place.

In all circumstances no-shows will not receive any refund or alternative date. A no-show is defined as a client who does not notify us of their non-attendance before the commencement of the class.

Q: What happens if I am late for my course?
A: We ask that you plan your journey carefully as we won’t accept students who are more than 30 minutes late. This is to prevent all the other attendees from being disrupted by latecomers. Please note that students not admitted due to late arrival will not be eligible to rebook or receive a refund.

Q: I don’t want to attend the course I booked anymore, so can I have my money back?
A: No, unfortunately once you have booked, you cannot receive any refund, full or partial as per the Terms and Conditions agreed to on booking.

Q: I have paid a deposit for a special course, party or a private lesson but now I can’t attend. Can I have my deposit back?
A: As our events and private tuition sessions are designed bespoke just for you, we regret that deposits are non-refundable.

Q: Are there circumstances where Delightful Tea will cancel, postpone or reschedule my booking?
A: There are certain but rare circumstances where we will cancel, postpone or reschedule a course such as insufficient numbers, staff illness, damage to the baking studio or severe weather conditions; we endeavour to give the maximum notice of any cancellation or reschedule, where possible. In such cases the options will be to transfer to another date or to receive a refund.

Our courses generally run with a minimum number of students, depending on the maximum student number advertised per course. Any fewer than the minimum and we may offer you the chance to attend an alternative date(s). In exceptional circumstances we will offer a full refund but we hope that the alternative date(s) will enable you to still attend and enjoy your chosen course activity with us.

Please note that we do not accept responsibility for any losses, financial or otherwise, associated with a cancelled session, whether you choose to transfer to an alternative date or accept a refund, if offered. Please see our terms and conditions for further information.

In circumstances where we required to close by law, e.g. Government-imposed lockdown, you will be offered alternative future dates to attend or issued with a gift voucher valid for 12 months. Refunds will not be applicable for classes postponed due to lockdowns or closures dictated by law.

Back to the top

Gift Vouchers & Redemption of Vouchers

Q: I have a gift voucher. How will I receive it?
A: Once you have purchased a gift certificate online we will despatch them by post free of charge. We aim to post vouchers within 48 hours, but during busy times this may take longer. If you need your voucher urgently, please contact us so we can expedite processing of your order if possible. If you opt for an e-Voucher, this will be sent to your email address within 48 hours approximately.

Q: I have a voucher to redeem but the course I want to do is fully booked. What can I do?
A: We offer all our courses on a range of dates in accordance with our class schedule. However, we cannot guarantee availability of any particular course and we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment.

Q: The course I wanted to attend appears to be unavailable or has no forthcoming dates, why is this?

A: We reserve the right to withdraw courses and course dates without notice. To redeem your certificate you will have to select an alternative course title; or you can opt to redeem your certificate for private tuition so that you can cover your chosen topics. We do not refund the value of gift certificates under any circumstances.

Q: My voucher value is higher than the course I wish to attend. Can I have the difference as cash?
A: No, vouchers have no monetary value, so if you redeem for a course of lesser value, then you will not receive any refund for the difference. Vouchers can be split so any remaining balance will remain available to use until the expiry date.

Q: My voucher has expired and I haven’t redeemed it yet. Is it still valid?
A: We regret that expired vouchers cannot be redeemed, refunded or extended under any circumstances. Please ensure you redeem your voucher within its validity period. We will not contact you to inform you that your voucher is due for expiry so please ensure you check!

Q: Are there any additional restrictions for voucher redemption?
A: Gift voucher recipients should have booked their course within the validity period of the voucher; we allow students an additional three months from voucher expiry to complete their course, but that class MUST be booked whilst the voucher is valid. Therefore there is a total of 15 months in which to use a gift voucher.

Q: I have purchased a gift voucher and have changed my mind. What can I do?
A: In accordance with the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, you have 14 days from the despatch date of your gift voucher order to cancel it. Requests for cancellation of a voucher order should in the first instance be made in writing by email to enquiries@delightfultea.co.uk. We will issue a full refund via the original payment method within 7 working days, but you should be aware that the funds will be deposited in accordance with the recharge policy and timescale of the original payment processor. Any special delivery postage charges you specifically selected will not be refunded.

Back to the top

Travel & Location

Q: I don’t know the local area. What kind of location is Delightful Tea Bake School in?
A: We are based on a local pleasant high street just a short distance from Southend-on-Sea town centre.

Q: What are my travel options?
A: You can reach Delightful Tea Bake School by public transport or car.

Want to get to us by train? C2C runs regular services to Southend East from London Fenchurch Street, and we are located only a five minute walk from Southend East mainline station. Click here for information.

We are also accessible via Greater Anglia services from London Liverpool Street. Southend Victoria station is around 15 minutes walk or around 5 minutes by taxi. Licensed taxis are available at the station. Click here for information.

Southchurch Road is served by several bus routes. Click here for information.

Travelling by car? There is a public car park located approximately 5 minutes walk away. The Ilfracombe Road car park has a pay and display machine; charges apply. There are further car parks within fair short distances. Click here for information.

There is short term, free on street parking along Southchurch Road, but please ensure you choose a parking option which allows you enough time to complete your course and return to collect your car.

Q: Is there parking available and do I have to pay for parking?
A: Unfortunately we do not have parking onsite parking available. Please see above for details about parking options. Students are responsible for their own parking charges etc.

Q: I am considering staying in the area, where can I stay?
A: Please contact us or see our Useful Links page for details of accommodation locally, as well as other useful information about attractions and amenities in the area.

Back to the top

General

Q: I am planning to book a course for a child. Are your classes suitable?
A: Please see individual course information for details, as we set a recommended minimum age for each class. These guides are flexible, but if your child is under the minimum age specified we request that you inform us prior to booking.

We also require that under 16s are accompanied by an adult attending the same class, especially on their first visit. As you might imagine, the safety and comfort of your child is of as paramount importance to us as it is for you. Classes are attended by adults primarily and therefore we want to ensure any younger guests feel just as at home.

Q: What are your opening and contact hours? A: Delightful Tea Bake School’s telephone and email contact hours are 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 4pm on Saturdays. We can accept calls outside this time at our discretion.

The baking studio is open by appointment only, so unless you have a class booked, you will need to contact us before visiting.

Q: I have an enquiry. How soon can I expect a response?
A: We aim to respond to email enquiries with 48 hours of receipt. If you contact us by telephone, we may not be able to answer immediately, especially when there are classes scheduled, but will respond to messages as soon as possible. We always recommend that you use email as your primary form of contact with us.

Q: I want to organise an event activity and would like to find out what Delightful Tea offers.
A: We can offer a range of bespoke activities for hen parties, family groups etc. Please contact us for information.

Q: Do you offer services for corporate events or team building?
A: If you are looking for corporate team-building or leisure activities then we can help you! We can also arrange specialist catering for corporate events. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information.

Back to the top

Have any questions?

01702 742343 Contact us online

© 2024 Delightful Tea | All rights reserved | Terms & Conditions Website Design By: Revive.Digital