It never ceases to amaze me how popular Harry Potter remains nearly 30 years after he first debuted in J.K. Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’. Since then Rowling went on to release 7 novels in the series, along with the script for the stage play ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’. The franchise has been turned into films, theme parks, studio tours and is in the process of being reimagined as a 10-season TV series for Prime Video. Last year, the first baking show based on the series debuted on Food Network in the US and Prime Video in the UK. ‘Harry Potter Wizards of Baking’ is presented by the Weasley twins themselves – James and Oliver Phelps – with culinary experts Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef on hand to offer their critiques.
With a second season on the way in November, it’s timely to get your hands on ‘Harry Potter Wizards of Baking: The Official Companion Guide’. The book is both a celebration of the first season of the show, and the incredible bakers that competed, and a fantastic recipe book full of ideas inspired by the series. The hardback book features a foreward by winners Zoë Burmester and Jordan Pilarski, and gives you an overview of the bakers that took part. Six chapters take you through the different tasks that the bakers had to complete throughout the first season, and readers get a mix of behind-the-scenes stories and recipes. Across the book you’re taken through Platform 9 ¾, Gringotts, Diagon Alley, Forbidden Forest, Dumbledore’s Office, and The Great Hall.
What surprised me the most about this book is that I was expecting the recipes to be considerably dumbed down from the show. The kind of bakes showcases on the series were most definitely not geared towards amateurs, and I’m pleasantly surprised to find the recipes here are challenging ones. Some of the highlights include ‘Chocolate Shortbread Wands’, ‘Jam Pastry Acceptance Letters’ and Zoë’s ‘Chocolate Whiskey Cake’, which is one of the bakes that helped her and Jordan win the show.
Among the more challenging bakes are ‘Olive Oil, Rosemary, Lemon and Thyme Book Cakes’, which are inspired by Zoë and Jordan’s bake in the third episode and the Wand Box Cakes inspired by Hemu and Riccardo from the same episode. The ‘Mandrake Cry Cupcakes’ are a good challenge too, but they look fantastic if you put in the time and persevere; they’ll definitely be a hit at any Harry Potter themed party.
The book ends with a Q&A from Zoë and Jordan, which allows you to hear a little bit more about their experience on the show. It’s a nice touch and a celebration of the two bakers who really wowed with their creations. My only real criticism of the book is I wish there were more recipes in there. I didn’t expect the more difficult bakes of the show to be included – few people would have been able to recreate the Fawkes masterpiece – but it would have been nice to have a little more about some of the skills and techniques used by the bakers.
‘Harry Potter Wizards of Baking: The Official Companion’ is a must for any fans of Harry Potter and fans of the baking show. I’m really excited about season 2 and there are enough recipes in here to keep me busy in the kitchen until it starts. With clear instructions, plenty of pictures and endless inspiration, the book is a really nice momento for the first season. I expect there’ll be another book to accompany season two so hopefully there’ll be even more bakes that fans can recreate at home. Next time, add in a handful more and this Harry Potter fan will be very happy!
Publisher: Insight Editions Release date: 17th April 2025 Buy ‘Harry Potter Wizards of Baking: The Official Companion Guide’ now
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