Description
Swinton Cookery School – The Swinton Park Hotel. Masham. Yorkshire. Awarded ICSA ‘Centre of Excellence’.
Location
Swinton Cookery School is nestled within the magnificent grounds of the Swinton Estate, near the charming market town of Masham in North Yorkshire.
Owned by the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880s, the Estate spans 20,000 acres of breathtaking countryside on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales — the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton and a haven of heritage, hospitality, and natural beauty.
The Cookery School
Set in a beautifully converted Georgian stable wing beside Swinton Park Hotel, the Cookery School offers a relaxed and inspiring setting where creativity meets culinary craft.
Its open-plan demonstration kitchen and four-acre walled garden provide the perfect environment to explore fine food and wine, with much of the produce — from herbs and vegetables to venison, rabbit, and game — sourced directly from the Estate.
Courses are hands-on, ingredient-led, and delivered by the resident master chef, encouraging participants of all skill levels to cook with confidence, seasonally and sustainably.
Top 5 Signature Courses
- Estate to Plate – Cook with ingredients grown, reared and foraged across the Swinton Estate.
- Fish & Seafood Masterclass – Explore the best of Britain’s coastal flavours, from filleting to plating.
- Artisan Breadmaking – Perfect your loaves and learn the science behind the bake.
- French Brasserie – Classic French cookery with Yorkshire flair.
- Proper Pub Grub – A modern take on hearty British favourites using seasonal produce.
Chef’s Table by Josh Barnes
An unforgettable dining experience at the heart of the Swinton Estate.
With over a decade in some of the UK’s finest Michelin-accredited kitchens, Chef Josh Barnes brings an exclusive culinary journey to life at the Chef’s Table — combining refined technique, local provenance, and creative flair.
Guests are seated in the Cookery School for an intimate, behind-the-scenes tasting experience, featuring an eight-course evening menu or a five-course Saturday lunch, both crafted before your eyes and paired with exceptional seasonal aperitifs.
Proudly featured in the Michelin Guide, this immersive fine-dining encounter captures the very essence of Swinton’s food philosophy — fresh, local, and unforgettable.
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Mention “ICSA” on booking
Cookery Experience Gift
Purchase Greatest British Cookery School Gift Voucher, redeemable at all ICSA member schools below.
Team
Ian Matfin, Head Chef Tutor, hails from Newcastle and honed his culinary skills working in some of the UK’s most prestigious restaurants, including Claridge’s, Abode Manchester by Michael Caines, and The Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey.
A former protégé of Terry Laybourne at the Michelin-starred 21 Queen Street, Ian brings a wealth of professional experience and a warm, engaging teaching style to every course.
The Courses
Whether it’s a half-day course or a full residential programme, there’s something for every budding chef. Below are some examples of Swinton Cookery Schools seasonal cookery courses:
- Baking pastry and dessert
- Show stopping Canapé
- French brasserie
- Middle eastern
- Modern world street food
- Proper pub grub
- Fish and seafood
- Italian cuisine
- Artisan breadmaking
- Indian masterclass
- Spanish tapas temptations
- Mexican
- Mini Chef
- Junior Chef
- Teenage course
- Learn to cook Yorkshire game
- Greek classics
- Learn to cook afternoon tea
- Ultimate Sunday lunch
- Brunch
- Estate to plate
- Curry in a hurry
- Great stocks and sauces
- Parent and Child
- Chocolate lovers
- Meat and poultry
- Beginners
Chef’s Table by Josh Barnes
An unforgettable dining experience at the heart of the Swinton Estate.
With over a decade in some of the UK’s finest Michelin-accredited kitchens, Chef Josh Barnes brings an exclusive culinary journey to life at the Chef’s Table — combining refined technique, local provenance, and creative flair.
Guests are seated in the Cookery School for an intimate, behind-the-scenes tasting experience, featuring an eight-course evening menu or a five-course Saturday lunch, both crafted before your eyes and paired with exceptional seasonal aperitifs.
Proudly featured in the Michelin Guide, this immersive fine-dining encounter captures the very essence of Swinton’s food philosophy — fresh, local, and unforgettable.
Read more on Chefs Table Experiences and purchase Cookery Experience Certificates here
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