Cheshire Cooks

Basic ingredients: Cheshire Cooks is a pristine cookery school which, along with two plush en-suite bedrooms and spa facilities, completes the conversion of Lakeside Barn on the grounds of Mill Pool House. The barn dates back to the mid-eighteenth century and has been lovingly restored by Janice and Philip Martin. Savoy trained Philip has over 40 years experience in catering, having worked in association with celebrity chefs such as Angela Hartnett, Marcus Wareing and Marco Pierre White and is a consultant to a Six Diamond hotel and restaurant in the Caribbean. Philip works alongside lifelong cook and professional caterer Jane Smith to teach a handful of hands-on, full-day courses that include Italian, Spanish, Fish and Shellfish, Cakes and Desserts. A typical day starts at 9.30am and ends at 3.30pm, costs £165 and includes a leisurely lunch with wine, recipes and food to take home. Shorter corporate cookery events are available during the daytime and can be tailored to suit specific requirements.  ‘Cook & Stay’ provides just that – overnight accommodation and a cookery course for one person at a cost of £360, with the option of an additional place on the course for £135.

They say: Each course focuses on a set of ingredients and techniques that you can then use and experiment with in your own kitchen, helping you develop the tools to translate your love of food into imaginative cuisine.

We say: With its lakeside location and smart on-site accommodation this is a destination cookery school that will appeal to couples who are seeking both culinary inspiration and relaxation. The team at Cheshire Cooks is clearly encouraging of anyone with an enthusiasm to learn. ‘Taste of Italy’ is a course for “anyone who is tired of searching for good pasta and using ready made sauces”, while their ‘One Day Culinary Course’ provides a well-rounded introduction to essential techniques such as knife skills, butchery, presentation and basic dessert techniques.