Welcome to Ground Up Cookery School, Devon

Ground Up Cookery School is a family-run business founded in 2019 by Colin and Natasha, stemming from their lifelong passion for food and drink—from growing and foraging to preserving and cooking. Following tremendous success in Crockernwell, the school is soon relocating to a new purpose-built site in Chudleigh, Devon.

Surrounded by nature, local farms, diverse producers, and with the sea within easy reach, Ground Up Cookery School is ideally situated to offer a rich culinary experience.

Our love for food and drink drives our dedication to celebrating seasonal ingredients and fleeting flavors. Whether through growing, foraging, cooking, or preserving, we emphasize the importance of using foraged and seasonal produce. We blend traditional culinary techniques with modern methods and equipment to enhance these classic practices.

As a family, we are committed to a zero-waste lifestyle, and as a business, we incorporate this ethos in practical ways. We believe in the importance of eating seasonally and locally while still enjoying the pleasures that food and drink bring.

Public Courses

At Ground Up Cookery School, our courses are designed for individuals with a passion for food, regardless of skill level. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, there is always something new to learn. Most recipes are prepared in pairs, with assistance readily available if needed. For those with more experience, our courses provide opportunities to refine and elevate your culinary skills. Our goal is to engage, enthuse, and empower you to make better food choices.

We are committed to continuously enhancing our offerings and greatly value customer feedback. If there are specific courses or ingredients you would like us to feature, please do not hesitate to reach out. Additionally, we are pleased to offer bespoke courses tailored to the needs of groups.

Chef Training

Receiving national recognition for our deep understanding of the hospitality and catering industry positions us perfectly to assist professional chefs and food industry professionals in rethinking ingredient usage, diversifying approaches, and fostering creativity to reduce food waste as we move towards achieving Net Zero by 2030. Each course is tailored to the specific needs of the customer, following thorough discussions and analysis of their major waste streams.

Consultancy Services

In addition to its cookery courses and training, Ground Up Cookery School offers a range of consultancy services to organisations in the food industry. Colin works closely with chefs to rescue traditional food waste items and repurpose them creatively, develop seasonally attuned and locally sourced menus, and craft menus that tell compelling stories. These services are designed to engage, inspire, and positively influence the food choices of their customers, promoting sustainability within the culinary industry.

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Culinary Director - Colin

Colin was raised in a fishing and farming community on the Isle of Coll in the Inner Hebrides, where he was surrounded by the finest seasonal ingredients and learned the importance of making the most of them. With over 30 years of experience as a professional chef, Colin has held diverse roles, from working on charter yachts and in boutique hotels to leading catering companies. His extensive experience has established Colin as an industry leader in foraging, fermentation, and zero waste. He regularly trains and presents to chefs, advocating for sustainable catering practices on a large scale. Colin currently serves as a development chef for a major distributor in the manufacturing industry, covering Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, while also owning and operating Ground Up Cookery School.

Now leading on Chef Training and Consultancy, Colin continues to deliver the Foraging and Fermentation courses, so come and learn from one of the best. Offering a blend of traditional methods like pickling, infusing, fermenting, smoking, drying, and curing with contemporary techniques to offer a comprehensive culinary experience. Learn to identify and make the most of the ingredients available around you throughout the year.  

 Tasha

Managing Director - Tasha

The one behind the scenes, Tasha is a highly capable home cook with a passion for culinary exploration. Before starting a family, her love for travel allowed her to experience diverse cuisines and discover new ingredients from around the world. Twenty years ago, she relocated to Devon, captivated by the charm and beauty of the South West. With a professional background in business management, Tasha has seamlessly integrated her organisational skills with her culinary interests. Together, as a couple, we have a strong track record of successful collaborations in various ventures, and we are confident that you will find Ground Up Cookery School as fulfilling as we do.

Our mission is to raise our children in close connection with nature, embracing the unique opportunities that Devon, Dartmoor, and rural life provide.

 

Ground Up Cookery School

 

Trainer - Mel

With 13 years of experience as a professional chef in a diverse range of environments, Mel decided to share her expertise by training apprentices with one of the country’s leading chef training providers. Her calm and gentle approach makes her exceptional at delivering our skills-based courses to customers. Mel has successfully trained individuals of all ages and skill levels, from children to young adults and experienced cooks, making her a fantastic asset to our team. She would appear to be unphased by any challenge thrown at her!