Description
Leeds Cookery School, Yorkshire
Leeds Cookery School.
Based in the heart of this thriving Northern city, Leeds Cookery School is one of the UK’s leading proponents of ethical, sustainable and low-waste cookery.
Led by their experienced chef tutors, the school runs half-day and full-day sessions, as well as intensive six-week courses in cookery skills and food preparation.
Throughout all its courses, the school places a strong focus on locality. Wherever possible, their ingredients are sourced seasonally from sustainable producers across Yorkshire, ordered in small quantities to minimise wastage.
The Location
Housed in a former fire house, Leeds Cookery School is just a 10-minute taxi ride from the train station and is easily accessible by car.
Locality
As a registered not-for-profit organisation, Leeds Cookery School donates all its profit to Zest, a local charity which supports people living in disadvantaged areas of the city.
In partnership with Zest’s Community Development Team, the school also runs affordable sessions to help low-income families, vulnerable people and those experiencing social isolation to access basic cookery skills.
Assessed and Accredited October 2023. Full marks!
How to Book
Booking a course at Leeds Cookery School is easy. Contact them direct, and mention your interest in ICSA, Here
Cookery Experience Gift
Purchase Greatest British Cookery School Gift Voucher, redeemable at all ICSA member schools below.
The Team
Meet Scott Masey their Lead Chef. Scott has been with them since 2018. Scott’s love for food started as a small child when he used to help his mum cook in their kitchen at home. From an early age he knew he wanted to be a chef so at 16 he enrolled at Thomas Danby College in Leeds. After graduating Scott spent time working in restaurants and country house hotels before moving to Australia where he worked in various hotels and restaurants including over 2 years at Sydney Opera house – not singing though, just cooking!
Whilst working in the kitchens Scott used to train and mentor junior chefs and this is where he discovered he enjoyed teaching. Wanting to gain more experience in teaching, he gained a degree in teaching in Further Education.
After spending 8 years in Australia and travelling extensively around Asia he returned to the UK and back to his old stomping ground, Thomas Danby College, this time as a Chef Tutor.
His time at Thomas Danby, now Leeds City College, saw him teach and mentor several now successful chefs, and he grew a strong network of connections within the Yorkshire restaurant scene. Building strong relationships with chefs and restaurants was a key role he developed. He arranged student placements in several prestigious restaurants. Many of his students have gone onto rewarding careers in hospitality, including attaining Michelin stars!
Scott was a highly respected teacher at the college but after years of teaching there he decided it was time for a change, so he accepted the Lead Chef job at Leeds Cookery School, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Courses
You’ll discover courses covering dishes from across the globe, including best of British classics, as well as world cuisine of Brazil, Hawaii, Louisiana, Sweden, Japan and Mexico. You’ll learn everything you need to know about making pasta from scratch, as well as creating the perfect pizza and prosecco cocktails for winter, and even how to craft your own ‘takeaway-inspired’ Thai, Chinese or Indian dishes.
For vegetarian and vegan foodies, there’s a host of classes on offer – ranging from plant-based Thai cooking to vegetarian Italian feasts, but where the school really shines is its baking courses. Dive into American Pies, Nordic Baking, Italian Baking and a feast of other pastry delights; you can even learn how to make Festive Doughnuts and Iced Cookies!
More courses being added regularly. Contact them direct for the most up to date range of cookery courses. Mention ICSA