FAQ

I have a gift voucher already – how does it all work?

If you have a gift voucher already then you can use it for the class you have been booked onto if a class date is shown on your voucher. If there is no date shown then you can use it against any class at its face value [the amount is shown on your voucher] as long as you book in by the date specified on the voucher and for a class before the expiry date shown. You have to fit in with the schedule available or upgrade your voucher to cover any extra fee for arranging your own individual class date or for a higher cost class.

It is wise to contact us straight away on receipt of your voucher and to choose your class early.

Can I buy an open voucher and let the person choose their class on receipt?

You can purchase gift vouchers of any denomination by arrangement and the person can then use them here – either against an existing class from our schedule or by booking their own date [and paying any extra amount due for their chosen class]. IT IS JUST LIKE BUYING A GIFT VOUCHER FOR A SHOP – YOU CHOOSE FROM WHATEVER THE SHOP HAS AVAILABLE AND SPEND YOUR VOUCHER AT ITS FACE VALUE. We do not guarantee that the receiver of your gift can book their choice of class on any date they choose – we have other people to accommodate – so only do this if the receiver of your gift can use this properly. Phone to discuss this if you wish and we will advise properly.

How do I book a specific course and date?

Choose the class, check our calendar to see if your chosen class is already scheduled and, if so, email us to book in and join those already booked in. If it does not appear on the calendar then check the minimum number or individual class price [see class details] and then email to arrange a new date. We will confirm whether the slot is still available and ask you to make the payment.

How can I pay for a class?

Payment is made via direct bank transfer – BACS [if you have online banking] or via Paypal on this web site once you have reserved your place. CLICK HERE TO PAY NOW

I want to book in on my own – how do I do this?

We don’t like cancelling classes when they are undersubscribed and we don’t know if others will want to do the same class as you – so we don’t take single bookings unless minimum numbers are already met OR you are prepared to make the single booking payment [then your class runs whether anyone else books in or not]. Occasionally specially scheduled, generally popular class are put in and single bookings taken. We are happy to keep people informed of when their choice is listed but we don’t take single bookings until that happens unless you are happy to book your own class at the single person rate.

Do you cater for groups if I come with friends?

YES. See course details for options for groups. For some classes we can take as few as 2 people together – so we are really very flexible. Obviously Saturdays are extremely busy but we fit in where possible. Groups of 4+ can be accommodated for any class at a mutually convenient time. Please note that it is hard for the fishmonger to get fresh fish on some days – fish courses normally run on Friday and Saturdays and occasional Thursdays dependent on the species being used.

Do you cater for Beginners?

Ideally total beginners should speak to us before choosing a class [to make sure that it is suitable for you]. Please note that we can’t give you one to one training unless you talk to us and book a class on your own. All classes assume that you can do basic tasks such as chop ingredients and stir pans [without burning things]. We offer Knife Skills classes for those who do not have these skills so you can always do this first to ensure that you can get up to speed with preparation of ingredients and keep up easily. All parts of recipes are explained in full and some are more complex than others so just ask if you are unsure.

Do you cater for very Advanced Cooks?

We cater for Advanced [and Professional] cooks easily because YOU choose only the classes that cover techniques and skills that you don’t already have – so you don’t need to waste time on techniques/recipes that you already believe that you know.

I’m a really Advanced Cook – what will I learn?

Many really good cooks want new ideas, are open-minded, and enjoy all our classes as well as enjoying being part of a group when cooking. Some just enjoy the fact that someone else is doing all the work of choosing the recipes, testing them for suitability and shopping for ingredients/washing up so that they can just turn up and cook! Others want something more specific and should choose carefully. Some skills/recipes are more advanced than others – but if you have never formerly learned the technique before then you should learn something as long as you start with an open mind! Many “advanced” cooks are very good at baking, roast dinners and/or Mediterranean food but know little about curries or fish preparation. Some think they know everything about cooking with fish and then realise that they have always cooked the same 3 fish fillets in the same way and that there is a lot more to learn if they want to. Some find they struggle with some of our faster-paced classes due to having limited knife skills or pre-conceived ideas. Some realise that their spectrum of cooking knowledge is limited to the same 10 dishes that they have cooked for years and then discover new ideas and ways of doing things that they had never considered. Others are knowledgeable about curries but lack meat preparation skills. Some decide that they know enough for their own needs and just enjoy the social side of a class. We have never met anyone who is an expert in everything [including ourselves!] but it is sensible to choose a skill where you are not already brilliantly competent and try to be in the right frame of mind to learn! We don’t know what you are capable of so we just offer a lot of choice and it is then up to you to choose properly for your own capabilities, preferences and whatever it is that you want to learn. Please note that I can’t give you one to one training unless you talk to me and book individual tuition. If you join a scheduled class then you must expect to be part of the group on the day and try to fit in. Our groups are small so you should get the attention that you need.

Surely I can just open a cookbook and learn all these recipes myself

To a certain extent people can just open a recipe book and learn a lot of things themselves to a reasonable [and often excellent] standard. If you have been professionally trained or have spent a lifetime learning everything about cooking and you can confidently say that you know it all – then there is probably not much point in you attending a course with people who do feel that they have something to learn. We assume that if you book a course then you believe that you have something to learn.
If you believe that you can learn and think we might perhaps know a better [or simply easier] way then you are likely to learn something. I have already worked my way through and amended a lot of different recipes and created what I think is the best one for you [you could do this yourself if you have several days to spare and don't mind working your way through the poorly written ones]. I have also been formally trained in background skills rather than just picked up a book and assumed that what it says is correct [it often isn't!!] and I have not taken soundbites from TV cookery shows and assumed I have the full story. Some of my courses are very specialist – I have been to places [such as India] to learn about authentic Indian food and learned from professional chefs [ie; in Thai cooking, fish cookery and chef skills at other cooking schools] and learned things that you will never learn from typical cookbooks that are widely available today. If you feel you can learn everything yourself from your bookshelf then there is no need for you to come here unless you just want to enjoy yourself and perhaps pick up some new tips. Speak to Sarah on 0115 9160861 if you are unsure – I am always happy to help you to choose properly if you speak to me and won’t suggest that you come here if I think you won’t learn!

Why is there only one recipe on some classes and a range of recipes included on other classes?

The recipes that we use on these classes cannot be done in 5 minutes as you will cook everything from scratch. The classes with one recipe are planned so that YOU do the recipe stated [some classes advertise lots of recipes but the chef demonstrates most of them or someone across the other side of the room is doing some of them]. With us – if you come for a shorter class to do one recipe at low cost, [these classes are priced from £25], you will only do one recipe but you will do it yourself. Where we offer a range you may find that the recipes are quicker, easier and done by the group [ie; a team effort] – so you go home with more recipes in the pack but you will still only do your share in the time allowed. Some people prefer to choose to learn a specific dish and don’t want to do the others so this option caters for this. Others prefer to do more recipes and those people can either do several classes in one day [at a discount] or choose a class that has more recipes/skills involved [such as the specials or mezze/medley type courses]

What exactly do I get for my money?

Individual class details show what is included. You are paying for our time preparing for your class, creating your class and testing the recipes, shopping for ingredients, cleaning [before and after your visit] and looking after you when you are here and answering your questions – it is not just a recipe pack and a meal. At low cost classes you will not find banquets of expensive food to eat [as you have not paid for this] – but we try to offer the best value we can at all times. If you want to eat steak, chicken or expensive fish then you have to accept that we can give you less of it than if you pay for a class that includes a more balanced set of ingredients. We think that these classes are extremely good value for money and we don’t discount further than shown [so please don't ask for this]

What happens if I can’t make the class?

Please see our booking page for terms and conditions and take out travel insurance to cover yourself for all eventualities.

Do you cater for Food Allergies/Intolerances and certain Foods not Eaten due to Pregnancy?

It is your responsibility to check before choosing a class [to make sure that it is suitable for you]. Just speak to Sarah on 0115 9160861 or email your queries well in advance of a class and she will advise of how the recipe/menu will affect you. To do this she needs to know exactly what you can and can’t eat. Sometimes recipes can be adapted especially where cooking is undertaken individually – speak to Sarah well in advance to find out.

How do the Takeaway Classes work?

Class participants turn up, are given a soft drink and introduced to the menu. Any longwinded chopping/grating/weighing out of ingredients will have been done in advance for you so you just have to prepare/cook the recipes. Recipes are completed by you to a state where they can be taken home and put on the BBQ or [in the case of a lamb curry] finished in the oven/on the hob. Tastings of the finished dishes are included as appropriate too – so you know what you are aiming for when finishing your dishes and tailor them to your own taste. Limited demonstration is included – just enough to ensure that you can complete the dishes – the rest is HANDS ON! Everything is packed up for you to take home to enjoy with your friends/family later on that day [some dishes are suitable to keep until the following day/for freezing too - please ask].

How many will the Takeaway recipes serve?

We don’t give serving sizes as it depends on how much individuals like to eat! The last Tapas class couple’s takeaway would have fed 4 assuming normal appetites rather than out and out greed – they went home with half a kilo of mussels, mushrooms with baguettes to toast, 4 stuffed baby peppers, marinated manchego cheese, crispy potatoes [a large frying pan full] and 12 prawns. Not all courses do as many recipes as this but the food taken home would have served 4 wtih a tasting of each dish here! If you are worried you wil starve then ask and we will give details for the class concerned!