Top 10 Yorkshire Cookery Schools

Top 10 Yorkshire Cookery Schools

Mealtimes aren’t always a joy. For some, whipping up a nourishing feast is as easy as pie, but if you, or a loved one, is lacking a little inspiration, local chefs are on hand with a few recipes for success. Crossing the county, our round-up of the best Yorkshire Cookery Schools includes an old fire station, a chocolate factory and a stately home, each geared up to take you from kitchen nightmare to Gordon Ramsay in no time. Pre-heat the oven, it’s time to sharpen up those culinary skills:

The Cookery School at The Grand York – North Yorkshire

The once impressive Edwardian headquarters of the North Eastern Railway, now boasts a luxury vaulted spa, stunning restaurant, and hundreds of stylish rooms for weary travellers from far and wide. The Cookery School is just as grand. Copper light fittings, in-built sinks, ornate tiles and state of the art appliances make up the kitchen, which offers a whole suite of classes to have you confident with the classics, or dinner party-ready, in no time.

Watch as head tutor Andrew Dixon perfects that all-important soufflé rise, and lets you in on the secret to proper Northern mushy peas. All courses allow time for you to get to grips with your dish, before sitting down to enjoy it over a glass of wine.

The Grand, York, North Yorkshire YO1 6GD

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Arches Cookery School, Saltburn-by-the-sea – North Yorkshire

First, take a chef that has travelled all around the world cooking for high profile rock stars, then add a barn converted into a kitchen, on a farm that provides fresh vegetables and herbs to those that are learning to cook, and what do you get? Well, one of the most unique Yorkshire cookery schools you’ll find in the UK. Headed up by chef Sarah Muir, The Arches brings you a cooking experience like no other. You’ll find yourself cooking international cuisine in the middle of the rolling green hills of Grinkle Park Farm, where top-notch Italian, Mediterranean, and other fantastic cuisines are just waiting to be explored!

Grinkle Park Farm, Loftus, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS13 4UD

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Prashad Cookery Demos, Bradford – West Yorkshire

Half a day in the kitchen with Minal, head chef at Bradford’s highly-acclaimed Prashad restaurant will demystify any presumptions you had about the accessibility of quality Gujarati cooking. One of the best Yorkshire cookery schools introduces some exciting new additions to your pantry, like carom seeds, jaggery and asafoetida, all now readily available at large supermarkets or Asian grocers.

Minal takes you through the step by step process of blending spice pastes, rice ratios, and creating tempting vegetarian snacks and sauces. Plied with craft beers from Bundobust, a full spread at lunchtime, and delicious cardamon laced desserts, you’ll leave full of food and inspiration for your own dinner table.

137 Whitehall Rd, Drighlington, Bradford BD11 1AT

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Leeds Cookery School – West Yorkshire

Situated in a lovingly restored fire station, with bright red gates and kitchen floor tiles marking the fire engine parking bays, Leeds Cookery School is a wonderful spot to brush up on your culinary skills. This Yorkshire cookery school covers a whole range of techniques, from julienning vegetables to mastering the Teeside Chicken Parmo, there really is something for everyone.

Novices are looked after by experienced and friendly chefs Scott and Simon, who’ll have you rocking and chopping in no time. Detailed recipes are provided, along with aprons and refreshments, all you need is some trusty tupperware to take home your creations! Try their Saturday Night Takeaway series, in which you recreate your own version of your favourite Thai, Chinese and Malaysian dishes, for a cosy night in. Leeds Cookery School has to be in our list of top 10 Yorkshire cookery schools.

The Old Fire Station, Gipton Approach, Leeds LS9 6NL

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The School of Artisan Food, Welbeck – on the edge of South Yorkshire

Committed to sharing skills with even the most nervous of cooks and bakers, The School of Artisan Food’s ethos is simple; delicious food, created from scratch. Encouraging local community organisations, schools, and businesses to understand sustainable methods of working with high-quality ingredients, their aim is to preserve traditional techniques for years to come.

They cover cheesemaking, patisserie, foraging…even ice cream production! You can enjoy a two-hour taster experience, stay for a day, or complete an Advanced Diploma, which is a six-month intensive externally accredited qualification (FDQ). Read our review, following our visit to The School of Artisan Food.

The School of Artisan Food, Lower Motor Yard, Welbeck S80 3LR

York Cocoa Works – North Yorkshire

This place has to be next on our list of top 10 Yorkshire cookery schools. There’s no better place to learn about chocolate than the birthplace of Terry’s and Rowntrees, and if the wind’s blowing in the right direction, you’ll catch a whiff of the five million Kit-Kat’s that are still produced daily at the Haxby site. The industry, which once employed over 13,000 people in York, lives on through the many collectable items and heritage attractions the city celebrates, and one which has captured the hearts of both young and old, is York Cocoa Works.

Their Manufactory Masterclass series takes you through the whole process from bean to bar, or you can drop in on a session with their expert tutors on a range of techniques, from tempering, pralines, ganache, and fondant making. Reward your efforts at the Cocoa House Cafe, which is jammed packed with beautiful memorabilia, and offers both sweet and savoury chocolate creations.

York Cocoa Works, 10 Castlegate, York YO1 9RN

Swinton Park Cookery School, Ripon – Yorkshire Dales

If you’re looking for Yorkshire Cookery Schools in a spectacular location, then this is it. There’s a class to suit everyone at Swinton Park, set against two hundred acres of spectacular countryside, on the Eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Ten miles from the pretty Cathedral town of Ripon, Swinton Park Hotel is a Georgian masterpiece, and the Cookery School, located in the old stables, is no exception. Led by chef Marc Williams, techniques are shared around a communal marble countertop, in front of an impressive racing green Aga, giving the experience a homely feel. You can learn how to prepare game, meat and poultry, try your hand at international cuisines, and even how to heal your skin from within. A great chance to hone your kitchen skills, make new friends, whilst enjoying the magical views across the Estate.

Swinton Park Hotel, Ripon HG4 4JH

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Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School, Driffield – East Riding of Yorkshire

Just North of Hull, near the pretty village of Southburn, Highfield Farm has a fantastically renovated Yorkshire cookery school, where a series of chefs and experts host classes for individuals, groups of friends, colleagues and all the family. The Junior Baking masterclasses are popular with pre-teens, and their Confidence In The Kitchen day sees novices sharpening their knives to tackle all the basics in good company.

Health-conscious foodies can expand their Vegan repertoire, and personal trainer Anita Norman’s workshops cover the critical role lifestyle and diet play for people with type 2 diabetes. Classes are small enough for you to leave with a thorough understanding of the methods practised, and the best bit is, there’s no washing up.

Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School, Highfield Farm, Southburn Road, Southburn, Driffield YO25 9AF

York Cookery School – North Yorkshire

With a plethora of classes to choose from, ranging from Mediterranean and North African cuisine to Sushi & Fish preparation classes, York Cookery School offers it all. The school is run by the well-regarded chocolatier, Andrew Thwaite, who takes pride in offering tuition in many styles of cooking and baking. Their classes have been developed over the years to allow their chef tutors to deliver quality cooking classes you won’t forget.

York Eco Business Centre, Amy Johnson Way, York YO30 4AG

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Bettys Cookery School, Harrogate – North Yorkshire

Last, but not least on our list of top 10 Yorkshire cookery schools is Bettys Cookery School in Harrogate. Known for their intricate icing, smiling fat rascals, and ginormous Easter eggs, Bettys is a real Yorkshire Institution. Afternoon tea never looked as tempting as on a gilded cake-stand under sparkling chandeliers, and you too can add a touch of class to mealtimes, after a cookery class at their Hookstone Park kitchen in Harrogate.

Ever wanted to know how they get that Rösti so crispy? Well, now you can try your hand at their Swiss founder’s favourite. There are courses on transforming store cupboard pulses and grains into healthy Mediterranean dishes, pastry making, and of course cake decorating. Many get booked up far in advance so don’t miss out!

Bettys Cookery School, Hookstone Chase, Hookstone Park, Harrogate HG2 7LD

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