Cooking Silk-Road inspired Dishes at The School of Artisan Food, Nottinghamshire

Published On Thursday 13 Sep 2018 by Sticky Beak
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It’s a well-known fact that I am much better at eating food than I am at cooking it – The Man Bird will be the first to nod his head in agreement! – but I do love to pootle about in the kitchen at home.

Chef Simon Lilley at Coghlans Cookery School near Matlock in Derbyshire gave us our first experience at a “proper” cookery school, and we loved it. Imagine our joy then, when The School of Artisan Food, which is based on the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire, approached us to see if we’d like to join them on one of their courses!

For us it was a no-brainer; of course we would love to join cook and food-writer Eleanor Ford on her one day “Silk Road” cooking course. The Man and I managed to do the half-day course with Simon, so hopefully we’ll manage a full day under the watchful eye of Eleanor, and I can’t wait to hear all about her travels and experiences. This lady has visited over 70 countries, sampling food in all of them, and writing about her travels and the recipes she’s encountered in that time.

Some of the dishes we’ll be making (or attempting to make, in my case!) are Hot and Tingly Oxtail with Hand-torn Noodles, Almond milk Chicken with Saffron and Dates, Green-herbed Plov with Chickpeas, and Spiced Lamb Turkish Flatbreads.

The School of Artisan Food has had its training rooms/kitchens newly refurbished, so I’m excited to be setting foot into professional-grade facilities once again! Everything from short courses to a full-time Advanced Diploma in Artisan Baking is taught at the school, covering subjects such as bread making, cheese making, brewing, butchery, charcuterie, and preserving.

All skill ranges are catered for at this Nottinghamshire establishment, from complete newbies and enthusiasts to existing food producers. Experienced, skilled Artisan producers and practitioners flock to The School of Artisan Food to pass on their skills from here in the UK, Europe, and even further afield – not many establishments can boast of this quality and diversity of tutors. No wonder The School has such an outstanding reputation!

This particular course is scheduled for Sunday 7th October 2018, runs from 9.30am – 4.30pm, and costs £185 per person. There are still a couple of places available if you fancy trying your hand at making a variety of culinary dishes. A huge choice of other courses are available too, if you can’t make this one..

Thankfully refreshments and sustenance (lunch) is provided, as is all the equipment, ingredients and recipes. You can eat what you make during the day itself, but His Nibs and I are planning on taking our own food containers along to put our creations in and bring them home.