Brian Mellor Cookery School

Basic Ingredients: Out in the sticks, the eponymous Mellor offers an informal approach to some formal and sophisticated techniques in the kitchens of the grade II listed 19^th-century Harthill School in Cheshire. Whether it’s game, fish, wine tasting, patisserie, brunch, Malaysian or just kitchen confidence you want to work on, Mellor shares his MasterChef experience and invites enthusiastic guest specialists to demonstrate artisan approaches. Half day courses cost £65 and it’s approximately double that for a full day course, which lasts seven hours. For something less hands-on, Dine ‘n’ Dem evenings combine fine dining, demonstration and discussion with Mellor at the helm.

They say: No ego, no attitude! Just good fun, lots of information and delicious food!

We say: Look out for regular open days, where there’s a chance to get a flavour of the school for free. For a special occasion, the kitchen can be hired privately and you can design, prepare and cook your own menu for friends and family all with guidance from Mellor and the team.