cookery school

Our Courses

Family Fundays...

Our Family Fun hands on practical courses are designed to get families cooking and eating ‘proper food’ together, in a sociable and exciting way. We provide you with inspiration and recipes for fabulous food, nothing mundane, allowing you time to create dishes in a relaxed and uncluttered environment, with bags of encouragement to help you work together to give you the enthusiasm to repeat the experience in your own home. We always cook a three course meal together with a few interesting ‘other bits’ … It’s a lot of fun and you’d be amazed at how much you discover about each other that you didn’t know before! We welcome a whole range of ages … so come on Mums and Sons, Dads and Daughters … There’s something for everyone.

Meat...

A variety of different ‘Meat’ courses are offered at LucyCooks … from expanding the day to day repertoire of family cooking through to the classic and more complex meat dishes that require a certain amount of skill … The descriptions of our meat courses will give you more depth of the content. In all cases the meat days at LucyCooks will all reveal interesting facts about this wonderful protein in general and the varying styles of both cooking and serving it. Look out for… Meat & More Meat Let’s Meat Again Meat To Make your Mouth Water

Fish...

Fish is the best fast food there is … however, so many of us avoid buying and cooking it for a variety of reasons … we have a selection of fish days that will have you heading off for the nearest fishmongers in no time … everything from ‘prime’ fish through to the wonderful variations of ‘crustaceans’ as well as ‘general fish cooking’ … not only will you be cooking it, we generally have a ‘guest’ who will demonstrate how fish are brought from the oceans and rivers to our tables … A great day with a wealth of information and recipes. Look out for: Fabulous Fish The Best Fast Food Curious Crustacea

Vegetables...

You don’t have to be a vegetarian to be interested in cooking without meat or fish … if you want to avoid veg fatigue, turn simple vegetables into creative meals – turn a ‘squash’ into a delicious Moroccan tagine, aubergines into ‘cannelloni’ or put a ‘funghi’ into stroganoff … then have a look at the variety of days that are on offer at LucyCooks … from organic ‘Out of the Box’ demonstrations and fully practical days to broaden your outlook and expand your knowledge of cooking with vegetables…

Gluten Free Cookery...

Nowadays more and more people avoid using gluten in their diet either through diagnosis of coeliac disease or for health reasons … At LucyCooks we have always been ‘allergy aware’ and have courses dedicated to those with intolerances of varying kinds. The ‘Gluten Free’ days are generally dedicated to creating all those things you think you’ll never be able to eat again … Bread, cakes, pastry for example. We shall show you how to create delicious goodies that you can recreate at home that not only taste great but will not make you unwell.

Specialist Cookery...

Other specialist courses include – Dairy and Fat Free days. We will also create bespoke courses within this sector for specific groups eg. carers, health workers, teachers etc.

A Taste of...

Travelling around the culinary world … we have lots of days that explore the foods and cultures of other countries – from Italy to Morocco – Thailand to Andalusia – as well as Cumbria. These courses are run by a variety of specialist chefs and tutors, all of whom are passionate about the countries they represent and will give you lots of ideas to try new things that you may otherwise have avoided or only had as ‘takeaway’ … Now you can create your own ‘takeaways’ back to your families!

Look out for a Taste of:

Cumbria, Lucy’s, France, Italy, Thai, The Deep South, Morocco, India

Bread...

At LucyCooks we offer a variety of bread days … from Beginners through to Breads of the World – we are fortunate enough to be nestling between a brewery and a bakery at Staveley, so we have a wealth of knowledge on our doorstep. From white boules to spiced buns, wholemeal to sourdough, you’ll ‘knead’ to come on one of our days to really feel what it’s like to be in the ‘dough’ … Breadmaking is a wonderful way of dispersing all that stress from the trials and tribulations of life. You’ll leave us with enough bread to start a small bakery … (as for the beer … you could pop in for one before heading home!)

Techniques and Skills Courses...

Whilst LucyCooks is a cookery school, we aim to inspire rather than educate … however, there are some days when we really feel that people demand a little more ‘know how’ and would like to really stretch their abilities. In some cases – such as our knife skills short days, you don’t need to be a thoroughly experienced cook, but a keen one wishing to learn more … On others we shall advise you as to the level of skill you may require.

Delicious Desserts and Cakes Courses...

Lucy’s on a Plate is already well known for desserts … however, at LucyCooks you can come and make a fantastic range of puddings and cakes – from the classic to the more contemporary. Whether you are a pudding fanatic or you have avoided doing anything that requires a little more expertise you will find lots to inspire you at LucyCakes…

Aga Courses...

Our Aga kitchen is perfect for either practical or demonstration. Practical courses for 4 guests (maximum) are offered as bespoke – all those ‘burning’ questions you’ve wanted to ask about that wonderful piece of metal that becomes another member of the family – the Aga.

Not only cooking but also...

Whilst we love to cook at LucyCooks, we do offer you the opportunity to be creative in other ways, why not try our "Fabulous Gifts and Wraps course"’ where  you will make your own "foodie gifts" and then in the afternoon be shown how to wrap them in superb style!

FREE FOR ALL… Open Days...

We love you coming to look at what LucyCooks is all about … so whilst you can visit at any time – every now and again we host a ‘free for all – Open Day’ at LucyCooks, at which you can watch a series of demonstrations, enjoy refreshments, there’ll be special offers and prize draws … you can really have a good ‘poke about’ in all the drawers and ‘feel’ what it would be like to enjoy a day with us…

Demo & Dine...

Join us for dinner with a difference at our 'Demo & Dine' evenings with the LucyCooks team. Enjoy an alternative dining experience, rather like a culinary book club without the homework! Sit back, relax and watch our chefs demonstrate a three course meal – a range of delicious dishes upon which you will then dine 'dinner party' style overlooking the beautiful River Kent. Whether you come as an individual or a group you will take home some top tips and inspiration … food for thought! To include a welcome drink, three course meal and glass of wine with the meal. Ask about ‘Demo, Dine and Wine’, incorporating wine tasting. Why not book exclusive use of LucyCooks for your very own private ‘Demo & Dine’ – ideal for special occasions!

Loosen your tie!

More and more companies and groups have discovered that LucyCooks is an ideal venue and exciting activity for a day out with a difference. From high octane ‘cook offs’ to relaxed demo and dines or simply an indulgent team building day spent creating delicious dishes before sitting down to enjoy your culinary creations together.

Let LucyCooks ‘cook up’ an event to suit your needs…

· Full day practical - Exclusive hire of LucyCooks for an all day cook - together. Colleagues come together and learn new skills in an inspiring environment. The format can be tailored to suit you – from a group-based challenge format to an instructional course at a more relaxed pace.

· Double dates – Designed to appeal to businesses that want their staff to have a choice of the great outdoors as well as offer the cookery school option. We have arranged partnerships with some key activity providers locally – offering everything from sailing on Windermere to off-road driving the live trails of the Lake District National Park, with you behind the wheel. Simply split your group according to their preference and we’ll arrange the rest.

· Double dates and evening dine – We bring the two groups above back together in the evening to celebrate their day and swap stories! Dinner has already been prepared by the cookery course participants – giving plenty of scope for feedback!

· Demo & Dine evening – Our chefs will demonstrate some special dishes before serving you dinner from our Thrilling Three Courses repertoire. A great way to relax with colleagues. On a summer’s evening we can start the evening on our riverside balcony. Demo & Dines usually start at 6.30pm and finish at 10.00pm.

· 3D – Demo, Do & Dine – For the 3D format we start the evening a little earlier (at around 4pm) in order to allow participants a chance to try their own cookery skills. This means they are able to try out our purpose-built work stations in the school’s kitchens and play with the gadgets!