The Ten Best Cookery Courses

2. Leiths School of Food and Wine - from £80
Amateurs and experts are well catered for at this west London school. Whether it’s an evening class in carving, a half-day over a hot stove, or a three-term diploma, Leiths has every would-be chef covered.
www.leiths.com;
020 8749 6400

3. Aldeburgh Cookery School - from £150
At Aldeburgh, the emphasis is on fresh, seasonal ingredients cooked simply but well. There are courses on Italian, Thai and Tuscan food, and lots of fish workshops.
www.aldeburghcookeryschool.com;
01728 454 039

4. Mosimann’s Academy - from £165
Based in a converted Victorian school in Battersea, the academy offers courses to those with all levels of cooking ability. There are some fantastic summer courses too, including a picnic and barbecue session.
www.mosimann.com;
020 7326 8330

5. FishWorks - from £175
Take the fear out of cooking fish by booking a day with FishWorks in London, Bristol or Christchurch. The courses are packed with helpful tips and tasty recipes, all aimed at taking the mystery out of preparing fish.
www.fishworks.co.uk;
020 8948 5965

6. The Kids’ Cookery School - from £15
Forget scary chefs barking orders – these children’s classes are as entertaining as they are educational. The London-based charity gets them interested in cooking healthy food.
www.thekidscookeryschool.co.uk;
020 8992 8882

7. Aldo Zilli’s Master Classes - from £300
Chef Zilli’s students have to be at Billingsgate market by 6.30am for a lesson in buying the best fish. Then it’s on to the kitchen to learn to clean, gut, fillet and cook their catch, followed by a well-earned lunch.
www.zillialdo.com;
020 7437 4867

8. Tante Marie - from £525
The Tante Marie school of cookery creates master chefs at its Surrey headquarters. Whether you want to study cordon bleu or start from scratch, this impressive institute is the place to do it.
www.tantemarie.co.uk;
01483 726 957

9. Bertinet Kitchen - from £110
The Bath-based school was founded by baker Richard Bertinet and his wife Jo Bertinet, author of award-winning bread book Dough, runs a number of relaxed classes to suit all abilities.
www.thebertinetkitchen.com;
01225 445 531

10. Raymond Blanc - from £295
Situated within Blanc’s world-renowned restaurant and hotel, Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, near Oxford, the school is a luxurious location for the one-, two- and four-day courses on offer.
www.manoir.com;
01844 278 881