Eckington Manor Cookery School

An impressive new independent cookery school catering for everyone from beginners to professionals has recently opened in Worcestershire 
  
Eckington Manor Cookery School boasts a state of the art classroom with ten individual kitchens, each equipped with an Aga, Rayburn, Falcon or Rangemaster oven plus a fully-stocked fridge and drawers with custom-made Aga-style doors to hold the necessary utensils.

There is also a commercial kitchen for professional courses and product development which features an Eloma combination oven, a Falcon Infinity fryer and Dominator oven and a Mono bakery oven as well as a Williams cold room and a walk-in Williams freezer.

The cookery team is headed by Michelin starred chef, Martyn Pearn, a member of the Academy of Culinary Arts who has worked at the Connaught Hotel, La Reserve in Bordeaux and also at Buckland Manor in the Cotswolds.

“Our aim here is to tailor courses so that if several people were to contact us to say they wanted an upmarket dinner party menu, then we’ll tailor it as best we can to suit everyone,” explained Martyn.

  
“The biggest thing for me is getting everyone around the demonstration table, leaning in and able to ask questions, before being able to then make everything themselves."

“We will also offer professional courses, offering tuition and training and specifically addressing the needs and requirements of the client, relying heavily on local producers – for example buying asparagus from one guy because he’s the best and our soft fruits from another.”

The accommodation for the school is located in an historic farmhouse, believed to be one of the oldest houses in the county with parts dating back to the 12th Century, which has been carefully restored and decorated to offer 21st Century facilities while still retaining all the original charm and character.

The kitchen features an Aga oven and fridge while the excellently appointed en-suite rooms include televisions and wireless broadband internet access. Each bathroom has been fitted with Fired Earth products.

 However, as an independent cookery school, not everything at Eckington Manor has come from Aga Foodservice Group. The chaise longue on the farmhouse landing is from Buckingham Palace and the magnificent statue of Pan that graces the garden was made by renowned Suffolk-based sculptor Paul Richardson.

Central to the new cookery school is 260 acre Manor Farm, where award-winning Highland and Aberdeen Angus cattle are bred by stockman Ian Anderson, himself a winner of the prestigious Burke Trophy on two consecutive occasions.

The founder of the cookery school is Judy Gardner, whose latest venture will allow her to use the experience she has gained from founding and running Garner’s Foods (the pickle and dressing company) and opening and running a restaurant in nearby Pershore. Her attention to detail is evident throughout the school and the relaxed, friendly and fun atmosphere should ensure Eckington Manor becomes a leader in its field.

For more information visit http://www.eckingtonmanorcookeryschool.co.uk/