Features

Britain’s best food and wine courses

June 11, 2015

Want to learn more about British produce and cooking? Here are some of the best courses for foodies and wine lovers around…

Britain is awash with sumptuous cookery classes and delectable wine courses, with everything from world-class accredited chef’s courses, to a beginner’s introduction to wine tasting on offer. And if you want to combine travel with wine, there are even tastings at some of our delightful vineyards. Scroll down for more of our favourite food and wine courses:

For foodies

Graze and Flavour, Plymouth
If you want to learn a little more about the fishing industry on which the coastal county of Devon has depended for centuries then these bespoke tours could be for you. Fish In Sutton Harbour (F.I.S.H), in Plymouth, offers a visit to the historic Barbican area as well as a tour of the fish market, before taking you out so you can catch your very own lunch in the area’s surrounding waters.
www.grazeandflavour.com

The WI Cookery School
The WI Cookery School is a modern purpose-built cookery facility located just outside Abingdon in Oxfordshire offering a full range of inspiring hands-on classes for all ages and abilities, from knife skills workshops to family baking days, sushi masterclasses to seasonal Spanish food. Drawing on the range of skills and experience of the Women’s Institute, the school is set in the grounds of a magnificent country house and features 12 workstations fully equipped with the latest appliances, with highly qualified expert tutors. Members and non-members are welcome with courses varying in length, from day classes to three-night residential courses.

www.denman.org.uk/

Le Cordon Bleu
With over 120 years of teaching experience, Le Cordon Bleu network provides a solid foundation in best practices in gastronomy, hospitality and management. At the London branch, you’ll work under Le Cordon Bleu Master Chefs, with students taught cooking expertise on courses ranging from short courses such as the Hand-made Truffles and Bonbons workshop (£65) to their prestigious nine-month Grand Diplôme, which costs a cool £29,754.

www.cordonbleu.edu/home

Swinton Park Cookery School
Swinton Park Cookery School is located on the Swinton Estate, in a 17th-century, 30-bedroom castle hotel, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. The four acre walled garden behind the hotel, planted with fruit, vegetables and herbs, provides the fresh ingredients for the Cookery School, located on the ground floor, which runs a busy programme of two-day, one-day and half-day practical cookery classes throughout the year. Courses are both residential and non-residential and are available for all ages and ability levels. There are also children’s cookery lessons with all courses covering a range of themes and cookery techniques from game dishes to baking.

www.swintonpark.com/

For wine connoisseurs

Leiths School of Food and Wine
Leiths School of Food and Wine in London has an international reputation as a first class culinary institute with students coming from all over the world to learn in a friendly atmosphere. Its prestigous courses have attracted the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge and TV chef Rachel Khoo. Enthusiasts can take part in a series of masterclasses, such as food and wine matching (£195) or take part in the two-week intermediate cooking skills course (£1,600).

www.leiths.com/

Michael Schuster Wine
Michael Schuster is acknowledged internationally as an expert wine taster, wine writer and wine teacher with over 25 years’ experience and is the author of the world-famous book Essential Winetasting. Michael runs courses at Bordeaux Index in London’s Hatton Garden and classes for everyone from beginners to Master of Wine blind tastings.

www.michaelschusterwine.com/

Wine Rides
For something a little bit different, Wine Rides is a unique cycle touring holiday. This three-day adventure will allow you to explore stunning English countryside, experience award-winning wines and stay on beautiful vineyards. With your luggage transported between each destination for you, you are free to explore the High Weald of East Sussex on cycle, before taking part in wine tastings in the evening, before arriving in unique ‘tented villages’, used exclusively by Wine Rides customers. From £125 per person.

winerides.co.uk/