New cookery school launches in South Devon

Three new teaching kitchens, equipped with the latest Siemens appliances, will enable the school to increase the choice of courses on offer and expand the number of students. Students are taught fundamental cookery techniques that can be applied when cooking at home, entertaining family and friends or working in a professional kitchen. Delighted with the new facility, chef director, Darrin Hosegrove said: "Building a brand new cookery school has allowed us to distil years of expertise in cookery training to create a fantastic facility built around the needs of the student. Everything is designed to maximise the quality and enjoyment of the training. We're really proud of it and the feedback from students has been fantastic." Future plans include the opening of a new chef's restaurant within the contemporary cookery school premises, where the chef tutors can prepare signature dishes along with a selection of matched wines. Over 40 different hands-on courses will run seven days a week in up to four kitchens (three new and one in the former building). "Most of our courses are designed for the enthusiastic home-cook, but we also have courses for those with no cookery skills whatsoever. We have had several students start on a beginners' weekend and work their way up to an advanced course, cooking at a fine dining level," continued Hosegrove. The courses are priced from £149 per person for one day. This includes a personal workstation with all necessary utensils and ingredients, an apron, course folder with notes and recipes to take home, morning tea/coffee and lunch with a glass of wine, partly comprising the dishes made during the day. Those on courses lasting two days or more may also have supper. Each session runs from 9.30am and finish at either 4 or 6pm with a break for lunch. B&B is from £59 per person (all prices quoted are 2009 subject to increase for 2010).