We often think of healthy eating in terms of restriction rather than opportunity and it can be hard, when overhauling our eating habits, to know how to create delicious, varied and nutritious meals.
Cookery courses are perfect for expanding your culinary repertoire, and today many schools offer classes specifically aimed at creating healthy food. Read our round up of some of the best ones in the country.
The Cookery School
What is it? An urban cookery outfit based in central London—it’s a stone’s throw from Oxford Circus tube station.
What makes it special? The Cookery School specialises in simple, modern cookery. Principal Rosalind Rathouse, a former professional cook, is keen on demystifying cookery techniques for her students.
Tell me more: Their Healthy Eating day courses are aimed at creating food that will help you keep off the weight while still being filling and delicious. Highlights of the class include learning how to make salads with low calorie dressings, guilt-free desserts and snacking soups.
Details: Classes are £175 each and run on 23 October 2016, 7 and 15 January 2017.
The Foodworks Cookery School
What is it? A cookery school set in the midst of the Cotswolds, 10 miles from Cheltenham and Gloucester.
What makes it special? They provide professional expertise in relaxed surroundings, covering everything from residential courses to private hire. Notably, they source all their ingredients from local suppliers.
Tell me more: We like the sound of their Health Food Junkie course, where you learn to make indulgent but healthy treats, including sweet potato fries, smoked paprika grilled aubergines and cauliflower pizza. Alternatively, try their popular Low Carb, High Veg class, which aims to equip you with a range of healthy recipes, from kale crisps to mushroom stroganoff with cabbage noodles.
Details: The Health Food Junkie course is £55 and runs on 21 November 2016, 12 January 2017. Low Carb, High Veg is £55 and runs on 15 November 2016, and 17 January and 7 March 2017.
See more: Eat Well: Healthy Eating
The Cookery School at Daylesford
What is it? A popular, much-praised establishment set in a smartly restored stone barn surrounded by thousands of acres of working Cotswold farmland.
What makes it special? Daylesford combines top-notch facilities with a holistic approach to cookery, using ingredients produced by their organic farm—like heritage vegetables from the market garden and organic cheeses from the creamery.
Tell me more: The B Whole course starts with a session of hatha yoga, before proceeding to the Cookery School where you’ll prepare a series of nutritious dishes for lunch. After eating, end the day with a 45-minute massage in Daylesford’s Haybarn Spa. Their B Peaceful course is similar, except you start with a mindfulness session and end with a bespoke facial.
Details: B Whole runs on 21 October, 3 and 18 November, 16 December; B Peaceful runs on 27 October and 2 December, both courses are £185 each.
Leith’s Cookery School
What is it? A long-running London cookery school that is renowned in the UK and abroad.
What makes it special? Tutoring from experienced chefs, highly regarded courses, professional-grade kitchens—what more do you need?
Tell me more: Try their Healthy and Delicious Entertaining day course, which is aimed at those looking to take healthy cooking to the next level. Learn to whip up everything from baked buttermilk and sumac chicken with sweet spiced kasha to warm rose syrup figs with yoghurt berry gelato and freeze-dried raspberry filo wafers.
Details: The next course is £155 and runs on 4 February 2017.
Continue reading on Celebrity Angels to discover healthy eating recipes and guides to building your cookery skills.
