Can’t Cook? Oh Yes, You Can!

Nut-free
Easily adjusted to accommodate vegetarian diets by request

If you’ve ever felt unsure in the kitchen, this course is designed for you. This is a confidence-building day focused on essential techniques, foundational recipes and understanding how cooking really works.

Cooking isn’t magic, it’s about learning a small number of core skills and knowing how to adapt them. Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to strengthen your foundations, our professional yet friendly teaching style will leave you feeling capable, confident and proud of what you’ve made.

This is a supportive, hands-on day where everyone cooks the same dishes together, allowing for plenty of guidance, shared learning and reassurance throughout.

The Day at a Glance

Essential techniques, core recipes and confidence building

The day focuses on learning how to approach recipes calmly and logically, understanding flavour, seasoning and structure rather than memorising instructions. You will build a toolkit of versatile base recipes that can be adapted into dozens of different meals.

Along the way, we’ll share practical tips, chef’s shortcuts and advice on how to continue learning at home, including recommended cookbooks and online resources.

The session is designed to feel encouraging and empowering, questions are actively welcomed, and no question is ever too simple.

What You’ll Learn

Core skills and foundations include:
•    How to approach recipes and prepare efficiently
•    Knife skills and safe working practices
•    The importance of tasting and seasoning
•    Understanding adaptable “building block” recipes

Recipes and techniques covered may include:
•    White sauce (for cheese sauce, macaroni cheese, lasagne and soups)
•    Tomato sauce (for pasta, pizza, stews and soups)
•    Meat and vegetable stocks
•    Soup bases built from stocks and sauces
•    Bolognese
•    Lasagne
•    Beef and vegetable casserole
•    Dumplings
•    Pasta sauces

The emphasis is on learning principles you can reuse, rather than following rigid recipes.

Schedule of the Day

09:30 – Arrival and introductions
09:45 – Discuss recipes, preparation and kitchen organisation
10:00 – Meat and vegetable stocks
10:20 – White sauce and gravy
11:00 – Break
11:15 – Tomato sauce
12:15 – Bolognese
12:50 – Light lunch
13:30 – Lasagne
14:00 – Beef and vegetable casserole
14:30 – Dumplings
14:45 – Break
15:00 – Fennel and chorizo pasta sauce
15:20 – Meal, recap and questions

Practical Information

Experience level

Ideal for beginners or anyone wanting to strengthen their foundations and cook with more confidence.

Group format

Guests cook individually within the group, making the same dishes with guidance and support throughout.

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FAQs

How is the day structured?

Courses are hands-on and interactive. Recipes are prepared with guidance and support available throughout. Guests with more experience may be gently encouraged to take their dishes further.

The course concludes with a shared meal around the table and a glass of wine, a relaxed way to celebrate what you’ve cooked together.

Can you cater for dietary requirements?

The key dietary details are noted at the top of each course listing, there may be other accommodations that we can make. Please let us know of ALL dietary requirements at the time of booking. We will always aim to accommodate where possible.

Can children attend this course?

Yes, children are welcome as full paying guests.

• Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a full paying parent or legal guardian, who remains responsible for them throughout the class.
• Young people aged 15–18 may attend without a parent or guardian. A completed parental consent form is required for all attendees aged 15–18. These courses are aimed at adults, and young people must be able to participate independently and behave appropriately without requiring additional supervision.

Please indicate ages at the time of booking.

Do I need to bring anything?

Everything needed for the course, is provided. Guests will be emailed approximately one week before the event with any final information, including whether there is anything specific to bring or any changes to arrangements.

For some courses, there may be food to take home. Where relevant, we recommend bringing containers, this will be noted in advance.

What time will we eat?

Meal times are often unconventional and usually take place towards the end of the class, once the cooking is complete.

Throughout the session there will be tastings, and you’ll be encouraged to taste as you cook. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available throughout the day to help yourself.

Schedules are illustrative and timings/content may vary slightly. End times are given as a guide only. As these are hands-on, experiential courses, timings may vary slightly depending on the size and pace of the group and the season.

Is the course accessible?

Accessibility needs vary, and we’re always happy to discuss individual requirements in advance.

We have a portable ramp available and can allocate designated parking spaces where needed. Any adjustments are best discussed ahead of time so we can explore how to accommodate you wherever possible.

There can be a lot of standing on hard floors, please contact us if you are concerned about this. There may be adjustments that can be made.

Can I buy this course as a gift?

Our courses make great gifts.

When booking, you can also purchase:
•    a physical gift card sent by first class post
•    a physical gift card sent by second class post

Alternatively you can simply print and present the booking confirmation. If undecided, you can purchase a monetary-value gift voucher, which can be redeemed online against this or any other course.

What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

We operate a strict four-week cancellation policy. Cancellations or requests to reschedule within four weeks of the course date are not refundable. However, bookings are transferable and someone else can come in your place, we just ask that you let us know.

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions of Booking for full details.

Can I be added to a waiting list for future events?

If a course is fully booked or the date doesn’t work for you, please email us and we’ll notify you when new dates or related events are released. Even better still, subscribe to our newsletter and we will send sporadic updates or follow us on social media @GroundUpCookery for top tips, foraging and fermentation news and event details.