Local cookery school serves up fresh ideas

A recent UK study estimated that over 313 million dinner parties and social gatherings are held a year, with the figure expected to climb to 333 million in the next four years.

Consumers attempting to copy the culinary creations of celebrity chefs who together with glossy food magazines and cookbooks have made cooking cool, may need a bit of a helping hand. To satisfy this new trend of dining in, a brand new cookery school, 'who’s cooking', has been launched in Belfast offering a range of demonstrations and hands-on tuition lessons. The school, based in a private home, has two fully equipped modern kitchens and is owned and run by Elizabeth Kennedy, an award winning cordon bleu cook with many years of professional entertaining experience under her apron.

Elizabeth says: “If someone wants some fresh ideas or a bit of encouragement to get into the kitchen and 'have a go', watching one of the demonstrations may be just the inspiration needed, or if they would feel more comfortable being taken step by step, then a practical, hands-on lesson would be ideal.

"There is something on the menu for everyone at who’s cooking; professionals looking for new entertaining ideas or maybe corporate cookery classes, a novel way for a group of colleagues to enjoy team building in a warm, easygoing environment. They could be busy mums needing to liven up family meals, a newly wed needing a helping hand – or maybe a group of friends simply wanting a day out. A real growth area is kids’ cookery classes and it is a great theme for a birthday party."

The ethos of who’s cooking is to make you feel relaxed in the kitchen and to build self-confidence.

“I feel it is important to have a flexible approach and I can teach classic or modern creative cookery, the important ingredient is fun combined with a friendly and informal atmosphere,” says Elizabeth.

“Dinner parties are becoming much more casual affairs, particularly with houses being designed with open plan living and kitchen areas. People are spending considerable amounts of money and time on their homes making them look good and of course they then want to enjoy them and show them off. Having friends round for a meal is a great way to do it,” adds Elizabeth.

Who’s cooking is also offering a personal cook service for those who want a special event catered for at home; the entire meal from the planning to the serving is taken care of.

“It’s a great way to entertain in your own home without any pressure and it gives you time to relax with your guests, enjoy the occasion and no clearing up afterwards,” says Elizabeth.

(SP)