You have probably heard of the likes of The Orchard’s School of Cookery, The Grange and Leith’s. And whilst we fully recommend these fantastic, leading courses for all those looking for a starting pad from which to launch your professional catering career, we have specifically selected the following 5, perhaps lesser known but equally as excellent, cookery schools available out there. They are all in keeping with the true professional & expert tuition that will set each student off on their first steps on the journey towards that winter in the Alps:
Colstoun Cookery Course, Haddington, Scotland
An exciting new cookery course set in the stunning countryside of Haddington, just half an hour outside of Edinburgh, Colstoun Cookery Course offers an extremely happy and friendly atmosphere. Not many cookery schools can claim to have their own walled garden from which they farm their entirely organic produce but Colstoun certainly can. This sustainable (and sustained) atmosphere is by no doubt nurtured by the stunning setting that is Colstoun Manor Estate; built back in the 11th century Colstoun has a legitimate claim to the title of the oldest house in Scotland still inhabited by the same family. Not only will you come away with a plethora of cooking skills and great contacts within the ski industry but you will feel like you take away a slice of Scottish history with you.
Prices start from just £ 695 for 5 days and includes all tuition, meals and accommodation.
Abinger Cookery School, Surrey
Abinger Cookery School is run in conjunction with a ski operator in Meribel & Val d’Isere. The course is ideal for school leavers and offers either 1 or 2 weeks course for aspiring chalet chefs. All courses are run by Head Chef & winner of The Times Chalet Chef award, Vincent Clist and promise to provide essential life skills guaranteed to set you on the pathway to a job in the Alps…(or plenty of friends in that first year of university!)
Prices from £ 695 per person for a week’s course. Accommodation available at £ 25 per night.
The Avenue Cookery School, Putney, London
Relaxed & friendly, The Avenue Cookery School looks to turn even the most nervous beginners into confident ‘foodies’. Their 2 week Chalet Course provides those all important cooking techniques as well as takes into account all aspects of hosting, budgeting and shopping as well as menu planning and chalet cleaning. You’ll be fully prepped and ready for whatever the slopes have to throw at you.
Prices from £ 1,290 per person for 2 week course. Or £ 780 for an intensive 5 day course.
Ashburton Cookery School, Devon
A shorter version of their 6 week diploma course, Ashburton offers a 3 week cookery certificate course which provides the necessary qualifications for students with aspirations of a career in professional kitchen, including those who are looking to make the chalets and/or yachts their workplaces. Highly practical, you will gain over 90 hours of cookery time with no more than 9 fellow students. This is an intensive, hands on course which can be extend if you wish to include the full all-singing, all-dancing 6 week diploma.
Prices from £ 2,495 per person for the 3 week course.
The Gables School of Cookery, Gloucestershire
Voted one of the 8th hottest Cookery Course worldwide, The Gables School of Cookery offers a 4 week Chalet Cookery Course that will provide you with not only the cooking know-how but also arm with those essential skills and weapons (not literally!) to tackle those challenges one can face in the hospitality industry!
Prices from £ 3,450 per student. This includes accommodation (in shared rooms), meals & tuition fees.
