News

EGG-CELLENT WORK BY YORKSHIRE TOURISM CHIEF

Thursday 17th November 2011 10:10 AM

Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity went the egg-stra mile yesterday on a visit to world-class cooking facility The Cooking School at Dean Clough; when he took The Cooking School's Omelette Challenge.

Watched by around 40 Welcome to Yorkshire members who were visiting The Cooking School for a networking event, Gary went head-to-head with head chef manager Matthew Benson-Smith - a former chef to Prime Minister Sir John Major - with 20 years cooking experience as Chef at Chequers and Head Chef in top hotels and acclaimed and award winning restaurants in London and across the UK including The Landmark Hotel, Browns Hotel in Mayfair and the renowned Hole in the Wall in Bath.

Gary believes he had the edge as he brought his own eggs from his farm in North Yorkshire. He said: "The Cooking School's facilities really are some of the best in the country and if you like cooking, then you'll love this place. We hold our events at interesting and exciting venues like this to help showcase them to other tourism businesses so they can look at potential link ups and share best practice. Halifax has a strong tourism economy, worth around £160m, and the more we work together the more we can help this grow."

8 volunteers from the membership also had a go at making omelettes which were taste tested by Gary and Matthew. The winner was Sue from Little Valley Brewery in Hebden Bridge, whose own beer was the secret ingredient, which gave her the edge! In silver and bronze positions were Paresh Tejura from Curry Cuisine and Stuart Carr from B & B Press.

The Cooking School will be offering The Omelette Challenge as a team-building event throughout 2012 and The Cooking School Manager Barbara Govan says"This is a great way to add some flavour to a team building event and we hope to welcome many more customers to take part."

Posted 10:10 AM | Permalink

COOKING UP CHRISTMAS TREATS

Thursday 10th November 2011 2:49 PM

It is getting to that time again, and The Cooking School at Dean Clough is starting the Christmas preparation with courses to help everyone sail through the festive season in the kitchen, a delicious evening at the Christmas Chef's Table and even courses for the kids!

There are limited places available for the brand new Christmas Chef's Table. Available on 9th and 14th December, this is a chance to see your dinner cooked for you by Executive Chef Manager Matthew Benson-Smith and Assistant Chef Jason Main. All profits from The Cooking School support Focus on Food, a charity concerned with getting kids and communities cooking; so you can feel warm and fuzzy about enjoying your festive meal too! Click here to book.

The evening costs just £40 per person which includes a set 3-course meal and you can bring your own drinks to enjoy. Entertainment will be provided by local musicians and there will be a chance to peruse the fantastic galleries at Dean Clough before the meal. Customers will also receive a 10% discount on any cooking courses for 2012 - ranging from Indian cuisine with Prashad through to bread-making and fantastic fish.

Kick off the party season 'Christmas Entertaining' running on 25 November, in which Head Chef Matthew Benson Smith will teach how to prepare a 4-course meal; the perfect menu to leave guests feeling festive and full, which of course will be taste-tested on the day. Click here to book.

A bit closer to the Christmas break, The Cooking School will be teaching the kids with courses running on Saturday 17th December. Parents can drop the children off for a half-day course including Gingerbread tree decorations, cheese straws and dips and chutney. Click here to book.

Posted 2:49 PM | Permalink

THE ART OF THE CANAPÉ MASTERCLASS WITH PETER MATURI & SONS

Wednesday 2nd November 2011 2:17 PM

Peter Maturi and Sons in association with The Cooking School are running the first in an occasional series of cookery masterclasses on Thursday 10th November 6pm-8pm

Get top tips on presentation, preparation and the key to stress free partying. First impressions count with canapés - enjoy these sweet and savoury sensations to inspire your festive foodie feasting with a glass of bubbly.

Join in at Peter Maturi and Son's Leeds store (84-86 Vicar Lane, LS1 7JH) on for a 2 hour "Art of Canapés Masterclass" with Dean Clough's executive chef Mathew Benson-Smith.

Tickets cost just £10 with the proceeds going to the Focus on Food - the UK wide charity inspring communities and children to cook.

Special Offers will also be available on the night on all the items used during the demonstration.

Click here to book direct with Peter Maturi and Sons

Posted 2:17 PM | Permalink

A TASTE OF THE CURRY CAPITAL OF BRITAIN IN WEST YORKSHIRE

Wednesday 2nd November 2011 11:10 AM

Prashad, one of the restaurants behind the successful bid for Bradford as Curry Capital of Britain 2011 has just announced new course dates at The Cooking School at Dean Clough in Halifax.

Prashad has been partnering with The Cooking School throughout 2011 on sold-out "Secrets of Prashad" courses at the world-class facility in Dean Clough. The further dates just announced will allow customers to recreate the tastes of the curry capital of Britain in their own kitchens.

Cooking School Manager Barbara Govan commented " We are delighted to work with the team at Prashad who have generously donated their time and services for our sell out vegetarian curry courses and send Bradford a big congratulaitons on the news about Curry Capital of Britain!"

According to Visit Bradford, the city scored highly not just for the quality of food and service offered by each of the restaurants, but also for food hygiene, a deep understanding of the curry restaurant sector and its success in collectively raising funds for food charities. All profits raised from the Prashad courses at The Cooking School support Focus on Food, a charity getting kids and communities cooking.

Courses for Prashad at The Cooking School can now be booked online at www.thecookingschool.co.uk and you can see a course in action below as well!

Posted 11:10 AM | Permalink