'Everything had been thought of'

2 DAY Pastry & Puddings

“Oh boy what an excellent cookery school you have at Ashburton ,we came down to do the puddings course 2/3rd April 11 and everything had been thought of , meet and greet, wonderful breakfasts, accomadation etc. I learnt so much and really enjoyed picking up tips from our wonderful chef Rob C ! Thank you for a wonderful weekend xxx. DD (Apr 2011)

'The course ticked all the boxes'

1 DAY Express Dinner Parties

“I came to the Express Dinner Parties courses and just wanted to write to say how much I appreciated it. The course itself ticked all the boxes and fully came up to expectations, and above all it was made to be fun.

Many of us left gleefully clutching the many tips and pieces of know-how that were imparted through the day. You will certainly be seeing me back and I know members of my family will happily come and enjoy courses too.„ AL (Dec 2010)

'A superb experience'

5 DAY Intermediate Course

“Just completed the Intermediate course last week. Instructors were Rob and James. Thanks very much guys for the best course I've done in anything for years - including flying! Great food, great instruction and great fun.„ KH (June 2010)

'The kitchens, equipment, ingredients and teaching were all very impressive'

WEEKEND Mediterranean Plus

“On 10th July I did the Mediterranean Plus course with my Father and we had a really great time. Rob is a fantastic teacher - knowledgable, informative, lively, funny, thoughtful and full of great chef tips that he generously shared. Behind the scenes the course was run with military precision. All the ingredients we needed to cook the next recipe appeared as if by magic. Dirty utensils, pans, chopping boards were washed and returned to their correct place before we even notice they were missing. The kitchens, equipment, ingredients and teaching were all very impressive. We cooked and ate delicious food and thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend. We are already discussing which course to do next!„ GS (July 2010)

'A superb experience'

1 DAY Italian & Italian Extra

“My partner and I spent two days at the Cookery School (Italian & Italian Extra) and I have to say it was a superb experience! The kitchens and equipment were extremely impressive but above all the staff were great! Rob is a superb chef tutor, really knowledgeable and helpful, and we learnt so many tips from him and his support team, the ladies on the front desk were really friendly and helpful and Jackie was a fantastic hostess at the accommodation! We would recommend the Cookery School to anyone and can't wait to go back again! Great job, well done to you all!„ KH (June 2010)

'I have fulfilled my dream of becoming a chef'

“I would just like to thank you for the support and the knowledge you have given me. This has allowed me to fulfill my dream of becoming a chef. I am please to say that I have been offered a position as a Commis Chef at The Greenaway, and start in June 2010. This restaurant has been awarded 3 rosettes, and without having attended various courses at the Ashburton Cookery School would not have been offered this fantastic opportunity.„ IS (May 2010)

'Every aspect of your cookery school was of top quality'

“A really excellent and enjoyable week. Right from the start every aspect of your cookery school was of top quality. From the booking information to the warm reception by Sarah when we first arrived, the environment, ingredients, cookery school staff, through to the certificate at the end of the course - everything was perfect. James deserves particular mention for his energy, enthusiasm and his tales from the Michellin kitchens!! „

'We covered an impressive array of dishes and techniques'

2 DAY Fish & Seafood Plus

“ Thank you so much for an excellent Fish and Seafood Plus course at the weekend, my Mum and I thought it was a great way to spend Mother's Day. The Chef was engaging and knowledgeable and we covered an impressive array of dishes and techniques.

I've already russled up a crab bisque and a batch of crab cakes and can't wait to replicate the other recipes too. The quality of the ingredients you supplied us with was exceptional - including the biggest crab either of us have ever set eyes on! „ SH

'I had a fantastic weekend'

“I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all the team there at the cookery school. Everyone from the front desk ladies to the tutors and kitchen team were really welcoming and very encouraging.I had a fantastic weekend, loved the delicious ingredients, top tips and relaxed atmosphere. I can't wait to come back. „ SM

'The course has definitely given me confidence to take my cooking to a whole other level'

5 DAY INTERMEDIATE COURSE

“ I just wanted to thank you and say how much I enjoyed the week long intermediate course. I had the most fabulous week and have had so much fun putting everything into practise since (the freezer now has ice cubes of reduced stock, coconut milk & lemon grass sorbet, home made fettucine and tortelli, I have basil infused oil, I've butchered chickens, made the creme brulee, lemon tart, choc pots, chicken breast with vegetables, lamb with madiera sauce, the dauphinoise potatoes several times, bread, leek & potato soup, and am garnishing every dessert with tuilles or chocolate stars!).

The course has definitely given me confidence to take my cooking to a whole other level. I have kept in touch with most of the other people in the course, and we regularly report back on who has made what - most people have been cooking what we learnt with lots of enthusiasm!„ AC

'One of the most fun days we've spent together in ages'

1 DAY FRENCH

“ My husband and I have just returned from a fantastic day of French cookery. We haven't stopped talking about it since we left the school - not only did we both learn a huge amount, but it was one of the most fun days we've spent in ages. In fact, if you asked what might be improved, I can't think of anything - the course couldn't have been better!
Please give my sincere thanks to the chef tutor, whose easy-going yet highly professional approach made the day so memorable. Also, special thanks to all the other kitchen staff and assistants, whose quiet work behind the scenes left us free to concentrate on learning. „ IS

'A brilliant day'

1 DAY EXPRESS DINNER PARTIES EXTRA

“ A quick note to tell you that Louise and I had a brilliant day with Joe today (Express Dinner Parties Extra). The new building is great and the kitchen we worked in was amazing! Joe was the perfect "host" and "tutor" and Lizzie, Ben etc. worked so well with him. All the staff at ACS that we met today, from the time we went through the front door to the time we left, were without exception, pleasant, welcoming and helpful! We look forward to our next visit to ACS. „ YH

'The best of British'

2 DAY GASTRO! PLUS

“ A friend and I went on the two day gastro plus course. Both married to organic farmers who run a farm together producing their own vegetables and meat just up the road from the cookery school, we wanted to try to find out how to make the most of the lovely produce they provide us with. We do our best, but neither of us have admittedly ever won any awards for home cooking, so we were really pleased with the recipes and menus we learned at the cookery school which emphasised local and seasonal produce. Darrin and the other staff were clearly passionate about the seasonality and provenance of the food they use in the courses and they proved that with the best of British you can create some really special menus. In fact most of the produce was sourced from within Devon itself so less food miles & enviornmental impact. The course was run to the highest of standards but also in a relaxed and down to earth environment with lots of banter to see us through the tricker menus. „ Coddie

'Expert, Enthusiastic Chefs'

1 DAY COOKERY COURSES

“ I have undertaken 3 different types of cookery days at Ashburton Cookery School - French, Italian & Fish. Even though I do a lot of cooking, each cookery day has given me more information, skills, and of course superb tastings with excellent ingredients. I am looking forward to chosing my 4th cookery day later this year. Instructions in all areas of the cooking have been delivered by expert, enthusiastic chefs who are passionate about their work, giving all participants encouragement in making the delicious menus, and therefore pleasure, both in the learning experience, and the eating! „ Alex

'An Exceptional Experience'

5 DAY FOUNDATION

“I am writing to thank you, and all members of your staff with whom I came in contact, very much indeed for providing me with such an exceptional experience at your cookery school last week.

Let me highlight some of the aspects of your operation that gave me so much enjoyment and made the week such a special and worthwhile birthdat present.

• The quality of instruction by your chefs
• The smiling faces that were everywhere. Clearly your staff enjoy working for you in the environment that you have created for them.
• The preperation of the essential paperwork that is required daily.
• The very well conceived and delivered syllabus and programme of instruction.
• The magnificent support provided by your ever cheerful kitchen assistants.
• Very comortable and well appointed accommodation
• Excellent breakfast

Thankyou very much for providing an environment that made learning so much fun... „ PL

'I will be recommending this to my firends'

“Just a note to thank you for an excellent Course which I attended on Wednesday 29th October. I found the Course most enjoyable and have already used several of the recipes and will be recommending this to my friends plus considering next year a Beginners Course for my husband. I had been afraid that there would mainly women and that he would have been reluctant but talking to the men on our Course I found that this was not the case and the ones who had attended a previous Course had enjoyed and benefited from it. Again many thanks.„ AY

Modern Vegetarian Plus

“I just wanted to say thank you to Joe who was an inspirational tutor - he was easy to understand and he loved what he was doing. His enthusiasm for food shone through and we made some fantastic dishes. The course content was excellent, I learn't so much and it has had a life changing effect on me. Having always loved to cook, I had got into a rut and my confidence was simply not there anymore. If it came in a box out of the vegetarian freezer section that did me! However, that all changed after my weekend at Ashburton. I am now always whipping up easy but very tasty vegetarian dishes now. I take more pride of my kitchen and have bought lots of useful things that I never had before. I've rearranged my kitchen so it's a place of comfort but I can still work effeciently in it. I am now doing a cookery course at college and whilst it does not come anywhere near the excellent stadards experienced at Ashburton I'm really enjoying it. I know it's quite a dramatic thing to say but my life in many ways has been improved significantly since experiencing the Vegetarian Plus weekend. it's reawakend a passion into my life that I had forgotten, and you will never find me in the vegetarian freezer section again! Thanks and best wishes.„ CRQ

Gastro Plus

“Hello, I came to your Gastro Plus course last weekend and firstly I would like to say how much my friend and I enjoyed the course. I have Creme Brulee in the oven as we speak !!!! We stayed in your accommodation and the cleanliness was impeccable, which I have rarely been able to say anywhere else I have ever stayed, so I will definitely recommend the whole package to anyone I think may be intererested.„ LH

Express Dinner Parties

“I felt as if my appreciation of the 'express dinner parties' one day course was inadequate.. a quick thanks and then off we trotted. I would simply like to say how much I enjoyed the day (as did my mother) which was a huge surprise for me as I am neither a keen nor capable cook. The professionalism of your school and staff shone through from beginning to end and did not pass unnoticed, nor indeed did the kindness of your chef. In particular, he dealt with my baulking at dealing with the duck (I'm a bit squemish with meat) silently which was hugely sensitive to my wish not to make a fuss having attended the course to accompany my mother who frequently cooks it. Please pass my appreciation on to all involved in the day including the young lady who so capably kept the kitchen spotless so allowing us to learn without interruption. I wish you all success despite the difficult present economic climate. I will of course do all I can 'word of mouth-wise' to encourage others to experience your courses.   My very best wishes.„ SG

Express Dinner Parties Extra

“Many thanks for a very good day, for teaching and guiding us -me, through the Express Dinners Extra course. I learned a lot AND enjoyed eating the results - excellent. I have done a couple of the recipes - the lamb and butter bean pancetta, now I would like to have a go at the Coconut and chilli sorbet. Again, thank you for broadening my horizons.  My very best wishes.„ PC

Cookery Diploma

“Dear All at Ashburton. Just wanted to drop a line to say thank you for all your help during my Diploma Course. I have got myself a job working at a Mayfair Hotel in London as a Commis. I will start by preparing the staff meals in the main kitchen but hopefully move across to the restaurant side with a bit more experience. Many thanks once again.„ NO

Cookery Diploma

“I thought you might be interested to know that I have finally taken the plunge and am now working as a commis chef at The Kingham Plough. Three weeks in and I'm just about holding up with the long hours. It's a small kitchen headed by EW...lots of sous vide and low temperature cooking. So far I've been working mostly on the pastry section, but as there are only 3 or 4 chefs on at any time I'm seeing a bit of everything. The menu is focused on local, seasonal produce and the kitchen uses lots of traditional recipes, but with modern methods; we are also making our own bacon, hams, and sausages, so it's a fascinating place to be learning.

Thanks to you folks at Ashburton Cookery School for laying the foundations that enabled me to make this career change - it's great to be putting some of that leaning into practice.„ R

Butchery

“Many thanks for a brilliant day yesterday. I feel much more confident to wield a knife at a piece of meat now. I shall add a boning knife to my collection and will enjoy fashioning impressive things out of cheap cuts of meat. I look forward to experimenting with sausage recipes too. My family look forward to enjoying eating the results! Your good-humoured and approachable, but very professional style makes for a good learning atmosphere and the high teacher/pupil ratio was really helpful. You're good too, at keeping everyone on track without telling them off! I meant to say thank you to the washerup but failed to. I want one of those. Heathe Duffin

Thanks to you folks at Ashburton Cookery School for laying the foundations that enabled me to make this career change - it's great to be putting some of that leaning into practice.„ R