Manna
from Devon Cooking School is run by Holly and David Jones.
Holly
and David met in 1982 at the University of London where they quickly discovered
a common interest in good food and drink. However, it wasn't until 20 years later,
in 2002, that they finally took the plunge and set up Holly Jones Ltd in order
to run the catering function at the Royal Dart Yacht Club in Devon together.
In
the interim they had both spent time in the forces; David in the Royal Navy and
Holly in the Army and done lots of adventurous things like ocean sailing, climbing
Kilimanjaro, trekking through the African Bush and getting married. After the
Army Holly spent a year at Leiths School of Food and Wine, David, meanwhile, left
the Navy, went skiing for a season, became a scuba diving instructor, and learnt
how to make an oven in a termite mound. With that experience behind him he spent
15 years in management consultancy running team and leadership development workshops.
Holly worked as a cook, food writer, demonstrator and TV presenter.
Two
years at the Royal Dart Yacht Club taught David and Holly two important lessons.
First, never take on any role where you will be accountable to a committee. Second,
working with a subject you really enjoy and believe in is it's own reward; which
is just a well since the money in the food and catering industry is cr*p!
By
the time they finished at the Yacht Club they had bought Fir Mount House in Kingswear
and were running it part time as a bed and breakfast. Owning a property in the
most expensive postcode West of Sandbanks meant the house had to earn it's keep
so kitchens were converted, ensuite bathrooms installed and Manna from Devon was
born (more of which later). At first the business focussed on cooking a wide range
of food to sell at market and doing outside cate
ring
work in the local area. However, since both of these required shed loads of work
for appalling returns David refused to do any more and persuaded Holly that their
combined previous experience made them a perfect fit to set up and run a Cooking
School. Somewhat grudgingly she caved in under the force of his argument and they
set up their first classes in May 2006. A practice session with a group of unsuspecting
friends turned out to be less than disasterous and the Manna from Devon Cooking
School became a reality.
The
name Manna from Devon refers to Manna from Heaven, the miraculous food which God
caused to appear in the desert in order to sustain the Isrealites on their flight
from Egypt. To name you school after a miraculous, heavenly food seemed as good
a choice as any. The name came to David whilst walking the dogs one afternoon.
Although he claims the name came into his head as a epiphany and was therefore
nothing to do with any creative genius on his part, he is, nevertheless, always
very quick to mention that it was him that thought of it.
Three
and a half years on the School and the Business are flourishing. Having established
an excellent name and reputation locally the school enjoys much repeat and referred
business. David and Holly are key players in the running of the Dartmouth Food
Festival and regularly write for local magazines and appear at shows to demonstrate
or talk on various food related topics. In their spare time they still manage
to sail, canoe and walk in South Devon.
