cookery courses

[hatter]

I'd like to book me and dh on a one-day cookery course. I have in mind something like Prue Leith's courses for enthusiastic amateurs but the only "hands on" one they have between now and Christmas is on chocolate, which isn't his thing. All the others seem to be demonstrations only, which I'm a bit reluctant to pay £80 for, even if it is Leith's. Anyone got any alternative ideas - it would have to be London or day-trip-able.

have you looked at your local colleges day courses/short courses, they do allsorts and the day courses are uysually only 15 quid or Free at some

i went on one when i was 21
for a momnth !
ffs at "the grange" near bath

I think red letter days does some courses - Anton Mossiman rings a bell?

Can't you just google for 'cookery courses london' and see what comes up?

The problem with doing a google is that you just get loads and loads of stuff from local colleges and - (apologies to Fio2) - dh is very keen (and good) and we would really like to do something that came very highly recommended, with a good reputation etc - ie like Leith's. On the one hand that might be a bit narrow-minded, but on the other hand, - as you all know - time is precious and don't want to take a punt on something that doesn't come recommended. And would like one that finishes up with you eating a top quality meal. It's for a special suprise day out so want something really nice

Yep red letter days have a few

here

thanks SoapBox, have had a look at RedLetter days. The Mossiman one might be an option - not hands on but ends with a nice meal and would be a good day out. Alternatively might go for Vinopolis.

Theses sites are good too:

this one

italian

this is the one I would go to!!!

Hope this helps!

Whoopns last one doesn't work - just go to the cordonblue homepage and follow links to London school and then gourmet sessions...

hatter, I went to a great demonstration class on "gourmet vegetarian Californian" at Books for Cooks in Notting Hill, also a lovely bookshop with brilliant world spice shop opposite. They run demonstrations by the authors of cookbooks and average about £25 for 3 hours, including glass of wine and quite a lot of tasting. Also met some nice friendly people there and we chatted about what we cook and what specialist grocers we like, and how we feed our children. Not sure if it would suit an "amateur" (eg quite a lot of discussion about which brand and source of ingredients we prefer and which brands and styles of kitchen tools we prefer, and what substitutions we make into recipes) but suspect that you are just being modest by saying "amateur".

I went to the Raymond Blanc school at the Manoir for a one day which was about half and half hands on and demonstration. It was very good. I think it was expensive though (didn't pay as a Christmas present) but it also included dinner and an overnight stay.

Mrs Wobble - I looked at this coz I know dh would love it. We've been there once for dinner and it galls him to this day that he had a throat infection and was in no fit state to enjoy it. I won't tell you how much the course with overnight stay and dinner is, seeing as you had it as a present, but suffice to say, you could go a holiday for the same!