SURVIVAL COOKING

An overly dramatic title perhaps but designed as the answer to the questions, "how can I learn to cook really well" or "How will I look after myself when I leave home". These three day workshops are aimed at young people who are keen to learn the basics of cooking, either to cook more at home or because they are just about to embark on some sort of independent living; university, gap year, travelling, first home, vocational training etc.

The course will provide a concentrated grounding in the basics of cooking, nutrition, hygiene, shopping and budgeting and will give participants confidence and inspiration to take care of themselves well. The skills learnt during these three days will last a life time.

These courses are great fun and a memorable experience. We aim to inspire everyone who takes part to develop a love of cooking from scratch; enabling them to make healthy, thrifty, yet delicious and impressive meals.

All recipes are chosen to be failsafe, uncomplicated and easy to make with only basic equipment.

Dates for 2010:

• 27th and 28th July
• 31 Aug - 1st Sept

Course Outline:

9:00 - 10:30 Lets go Shopping.

We'll visit a fishmonger, a butcher, a green grocer and a farm shop where we'll explore sensible shopping, labelling, bargain hunting and seasonal purchasing. Then back to the Cooking School to turn our purchases into some more great meals.

Slow Cooking - Great flavours and inexpensive ingredients have produced some delicious classics. We'll discuss why different cuts of meet require different cooking and how to get the best from non-elitist cuts.

Any Side orders with That Sir?

What's the right mix for a balanced meal? We'll discuss nutrition as we put together a complete, balanced meal.

Plus some seasonal veggies, dahl and a smoked fish paté to start.

And for Dessert?

Easy and inexpensive desserts to round things off perfectly. Bread and Butter pudding, fruit fool and a little biscuit on the side.

7:00 Guest Night Dinner. Now that we're feeling confident everyone can invite a guest along for dinner. If weather permits this will be on the terrace.

Feedback from last years workshop:

Hi David & Holly

Hope you are both keeping well and have recovered fully from the Survival Cooking course. It must have been exhausting.

I just wanted to let you know how wonderful the feedback has been and how much more confident both Charles & Hattie are with their cooking. Charles has embraced eggs with gusto - I keep running out but at last he is having the protein he needs for training. We have had Porcetta twice since and had the in laws around. It is becoming a tradition in this house and this week Hattie collected apples from the grass and with no asking made an apple sauce to go with it - totally instinctive.

With the summer upon us and all kids at home whilst we are working it is just marvellous to have the extra support at home and they are helping us with something they enjoy. Many thanks for everything you did over the Survival weekend and all your patience & energy.

Best wishes Pauline