Cookery courses?

[BranchingOut]

I am thinking of taking a one day cookery course, maybe at Leith's or Cucina Caldesi in London. I am starting to feel that I want to be a better cook, but have never been great at tackling new recipes. I can cook easier things from Jamie or Nigella, but tend to get put off by the time and expense factor of trying out something new.

The idea of learning 2 or 3 new recipes in one swoop (away from toddler distractions!) really appeals. Has anyone else been on a cookery course and found it useful?

I've been on a few at Bordeaux Quay in Bristol. I did a knife skills one, pasta & risotto, and a fish one.

They were really good and I'd love to do more (there's a poultry one which involves jointing birds etc).

I've always been happy just trying things anyway, but it is nice having the confidence of knowing how to do things and that I've managed something like filleting a fish properly before.

I'd love to live close enough to do some courses at Leith's.

Ds has just done a magnificent course at cuccina caldesi. We are thriving on outstanding food. It was the teenagers one and they did bruschetta with cavolo nero, capilletti in chicken broth and tortellini with tomato sauce. Ie pasta for teen tastes. But they were brilliant: practical, relaxed and inspiring. And Ds has been teaching me since..

My wife has done two at Eckington Cookery School in the Cotswolds, found then really good. Sadly she ate all she cooked there so brought nothing home!