Where To Start?

There are one-day workshops, half-day tasters, specialist masterclasses and immersive experiences, all promising to make you a better cook whilst having fun.

So how do you decide which cookery course is right for you?

Whether you’re booking for yourself, buying a gift, or looking to build confidence in the kitchen, asking the right questions upfront will help you choose a course that’s genuinely rewarding, rather than just a nice day out.

1. Start With Why You Want to Learn

Before looking at cuisines or formats, ask yourself one simple question:

What do I actually want to get out of this?

Common reasons include:

• Building confidence in everyday cooking

  

• Learning proper techniques, not just recipes

• Exploring a specific cuisine or ingredient

• Understanding flavour and seasoning

• Spending a relaxed, enjoyable day doing something creative

There’s no right or wrong answer — but being honest about your motivation makes the choice much easier.

At Ground Up Cookery School, our most of our courses are designed around learning by doing, so knowing whether you want practical skills, deeper understanding, or pure enjoyment helps narrow things down quickly. Alternatively our "Spotlight on..." series is demo based, so you can sit back with a cuppa or a glass of wine and let the Chef do all the work!

2. Recipes vs Skills: What Do You Prefer?

Some people love clear, structured recipes they can recreate at home. Others want to understand why food works so they can cook more intuitively.

When choosing a cookery course, it’s worth asking:

• Will I be following set recipes?

• Or learning techniques that apply across many dishes?

Both approaches have value. Recipe-led courses can feel reassuring and achievable, while skills-based courses tend to build longer-term confidence.

Many of our courses combine the two, using recipes as a framework, while teaching techniques, flavour balance and decision-making that go far beyond a single dish.

3. Consider How Hands-On You Want to Be

Some classes involve a lot of watching and note-taking. Others are fully hands-on, with participants cooking throughout the day.

If you learn best by doing, look for courses where you:

• prepare ingredients yourself

• practise techniques rather than just observe

• cook and taste multiple dishes

At Ground Up Cookery School, most of our public courses are hands-on. You cook from scratch, ask questions as you go, and leave having done the thing, not just watched someone else do it.

4. Think About Your Current Confidence Level

You don’t need to be an experienced cook to attend a cookery course — but you do want one pitched at the right level.

Ask yourself:

• Am I a complete beginner?

• Comfortable but a bit stuck?

• Confident and looking to refine skills?

Good cookery courses welcome mixed abilities and teach in a way that supports everyone. The aim isn’t perfection, it’s progress.

Our courses are designed for home cooks of all levels and even Chefs wanting to go into greater depth on Foraging and Fermentation, with tutors who adapt teaching as they go and explain things clearly, without jargon or judgement.

5. Dietary Requirements Matter, Ask Early

If you eat gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free or have other dietary needs, it’s important to check suitability before booking.

Some cookery schools are dedicated free-from environments. Others, like ours, operate shared kitchens but can adapt many courses with advance notice.

When choosing a course:

• check whether adaptations are possible

• ask how much you’ll be able to eat

• be clear about cross-contamination risks

Clear communication upfront leads to a far better experience on the day.

6. One Day, Half Day or Deep Dive?

Course length matters more than people realise.

• Half-day courses are great introductions, focused, enjoyable and accessible

• Full-day courses allow more depth, repetition and understanding

• Specialist masterclasses suit people who want to explore a subject properly

There’s no hierarchy here. The right length depends on your time, energy and curiosity.

Many people start with a half-day course, then return for a deeper dive once they know they enjoy the style of learning.

7. Look Beyond the Menu

It’s tempting to choose a cookery course purely based on what you’ll eat. But the most valuable courses offer something more lasting.

Ask:

• Will I use these skills again?

• Will this change how I cook at home?

• Will I leave feeling more confident?

A great cookery course doesn’t just feed you for a day, it feeds you for years.

8. Why Choosing an Award-Winning Cookery School Matters

Not all cookery courses are created equal, and one of the simplest ways to narrow your choice is to look at independent recognition.

Awards don’t just reflect good food, they usually recognise:

• quality of teaching

• consistency of experience

• professionalism and organisation

• customer satisfaction over time

Choosing an award-winning cookery school gives reassurance that you’re learning in a well-run, respected environment, with tutors who know how to teach as well as cook.

At Ground Up Cookery School, we were proud to be awarded Food Drink Devon’s Best Cookery School in Devon 2025/26. This recognition reflects our commitment to hands-on learning, from-scratch cooking, and creating courses that genuinely build confidence and skill, not just provide a one-off experience.

When you’re investing your time (or buying a course as a gift), choosing a school with proven credibility can make all the difference. Just check that it is reputable independent award and not a purchased marketing tool!

Choosing a Cookery Course at Ground Up

At Ground Up Cookery School, we focus on:

• cooking from scratch

• flavour-led teaching

• practical, transferable skills

• relaxed, supportive learning

Our courses range from accessible introductions to deeper, skills-based experiences, covering everything from gluten free cooking and fermentation to foraging, fish, Asian flavours and preservation.

If you’re unsure which course is right for you, we’re always happy to help you choose.

Final Thought

The best cookery course isn’t the most impressive on paper, it’s the one that meets you where you are, sparks your curiosity, and sends you home excited to cook again.

That’s always a good place to start.