Taking a cookery course is the perfect way to upskill in the kitchen. Age and gender are no object, says Catherine Whyte
How goes that well-worn adage? Something about old dogs and new tricks? Balderdash, I say. I remember my father enrolling in a Microsoft Publisher course in his 70s and then bashing out a 30-page programme for the local village fete. Likewise, with all the excellent cookery courses on offer, there’s no excuse for resting on your culinary laurels – no matter what your age or gender...
The two-day cookery course at Abinger Cookery School encompasses basic skills of which Mrs Beeton would be proud, from selecting good quality meat and fish to poaching, baking, frying and roasting. I like the fact that it also teaches how to make your own chicken stock and even covers simple pastry making.
- The two-day course at the school in Abinger Hammer costs £290; go to abingercookeryschool.com
If you have time on your hands, swap it for flour and learn how to bake bread. Famously therapeutic and hugely rewarding, making – and then eating – your own bread is one of life’s great pleasures. In Surrey, we are lucky enough to have our own impresari-dough, Jack Sturgess of Bake with Jack, an energetic advocate with an ever-growing social media presence and a raft of video tutorials. There’s nothing like the real thing though, and Jack holds introductory classes at Victoria’s Kitchen, The Mayford Centre, Woking.
- Each 4.5-hour class includes supper and costs £85 pp.Visit: bakewithjack.co.uk
Gentlemen, if you are racked with shyness over your lack of prowess in the kitchen, then Tante Marie Culinary Academy’s Men Only course is for you. It’s an all-day affair during which you’ll learn to rustle up effortlessly (or so you can tell your friends) a rump of lamb with parsley crust and Provençal ratatouille, among other delights. Sunday lunch sorted.
- The day-long course (9.30am – 4.30pm) costs £175 and takes place at the Academy’s Woking HQ. Two-course lunch included. tantemarie.co.uk
Surrey Adult Learning also dishes up some gender-specific basic cookery classes, held at Guildford, Camberley and various other places in Surrey. Each course is spread over 10 weeks with each session lasting two hours, so it’s all quite comprehensive and excellent value at £189, although you provide your own ingredients. The course notes also stipulate that you bring essential items such as an apron, tea towels and – perhaps most importantly – your reading glasses.
- Enrol online at surreycc.gov.uk or call 0300 200 1044. Alternatively, visit Woking Adult Learning Centre in person
However, if you’d rather learn in the comfort of your own home, The Urban Chefs may be just the ticket. Their Men In The Kitchen course will have you cooking the perfect steak and roast, plus pasta in a variety of ways. The chefs come to you, so you decide on timings and dishes. Moreover, it’s more cost-effective the more participants there are, so rally the troops and make a day of it.
- The half-day course costs from £80 per person.Contact: theurbanchefs.co.uk
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