Step into Northcote’s intimate Cookery School, with only glass sliding doors separating you from the Michelin Star Kitchen, we can guarantee you will soon feel at home with a warm welcome from Head Tutor Ben Hinchliffe and his team.
Northcote Cookery School is one of the UK’s leading culinary schools, located within Northcote’s Michelin-starred restaurant in the heart of Lancashire’s Ribble Valley. Whether you’re learning essential kitchen skills, refining advanced techniques or searching for an unforgettable foodie experience, our hands-on cookery courses are designed to inspire cooks of every level.
Led by expert tutors and supported by the Northcote culinary team, each class offers a unique opportunity to learn professional techniques, cook exceptional dishes and enjoy the warm hospitality for which Northcote is renowned.
Northcote Cookery School’s highly skilled tutors have vast kitchen experience. They are here to help you get the most from your day, but most importantly, have fun! Ben, Dan and Darcy will nurture your natural passion and enjoyment of food, inspire and translate this into imaginative creations for you to cook at home.
Recognised as one of the UK’s leading cookery schools, Northcote Cookery School offers hands-on cooking classes and culinary experiences in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley. From essential kitchen skills to specialist masterclasses, every course is designed to inspire confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of cooking.
Step into our purpose-built Cookery School and you’ll find yourself just moments away from Northcote’s Michelin-starred kitchen. It’s a unique opportunity to learn in a professional culinary environment while enjoying the warm, welcoming atmosphere for which Northcote is renowned.
Our experienced tutors bring years of professional kitchen expertise to every class, combining technical knowledge with a relaxed and supportive approach. Whether you’re mastering the basics or refining advanced techniques, you’ll be guided every step of the way.
We believe the best way to learn is by doing. Each course combines demonstrations with practical cooking, giving you the confidence to recreate dishes, techniques and skills in your own kitchen long after your day at Northcote.
A day at Northcote is a complete food experience. Enjoy a light breakfast on arrival, a seasonal lunch with a glass of wine, afternoon refreshments and plenty of time to learn, cook and ask questions in a relaxed environment.
You’ll leave with far more than recipes. Alongside practical techniques and professional tips, you’ll usually take home the dishes you’ve prepared during the day, your Northcote apron and course folder, helping you recreate the experience at home.
Whether you’re picking up a knife for the first time or looking to develop more advanced skills, our courses are designed to be informative, enjoyable and accessible to all levels of experience.
Northcote Cookery School has been recognised with the prestigious ICSA Centre of Excellence Award, reflecting our commitment to delivering exceptional culinary training and unforgettable experiences.
Many guests choose to turn their cookery experience into a Northcote escape. Extend your visit with dinner in the restaurant and an overnight stay in one of our luxurious bedrooms, making your day in the kitchen part of a truly memorable break.
Each course is created to offer a different menu and skills. The dishes are detailed on each course page, but the format for most days will run like this:
– When you arrive at Northcote for 9am, you can enjoy a light breakfast while meeting your fellow students
– The cookery school team will introduce themselves and give you a tour of Northcote kitchens
– Generally up to six dishes are demonstrated by the team with you cooking at least four yourself
– You will enjoy a 2-course lunch and glass of wine matched by our sommelier team before resuming your course
– Mid-afternoon coffee and treats will be served
Your day concludes at approximately 5pm. You will depart with your cookery school apron, course folder and all the food you have prepared. (On certain courses it is more suitable to eat the food on the day)
View our Classes
Looking for something a little more personal? Our bespoke cookery days offer the opportunity to enjoy a private experience in the Northcote Cookery School, tailored entirely to your group. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, bringing family and friends together, entertaining clients or planning a team event, we’ll work with you to create a memorable day built around your interests and skill level.
Led by our expert tutors, your private experience can be tailored to your preferred cuisine, techniques or ingredients, with plenty of hands-on cooking, demonstrations and time to enjoy great food together. Available for groups of up to eight guests, it’s a unique way to experience Northcote and enjoy exclusive access to our award-winning Cookery School.
Once you’ve been busy in the kitchen all day you can go and relax in our cocktail bar, perhaps even fit some dinner in and then retire in one of our sumptous rooms for the night. We exclusively offer our cookery school attendees a special bed & breakfast rate starting from just £200 per room*. Please call 01254 240555 to enquire and book.
*excluding Fridays & Saturdays
Whether you’re buying for an enthusiastic home cook or someone who simply loves great food, a Northcote Cookery School gift voucher makes a thoughtful and memorable gift. From learning new techniques and cooking delicious dishes to enjoying Northcote hospitality throughout the day, it’s an experience designed to inspire, entertain and delight.
Northcote Cookery School has been awarded the prestigious ICSA Centre of Excellence Award! The Independent Cookery Schools Association (ICSA) stands as the sole regulatory body for cookery schools in the UK, championing excellence in culinary skills and training. Receiving this honour reinforces our commitment to offering the highest standard of culinary education.
For many first time students in the Northcote Cookery School, they find, that like biscuits, one just isn’t enough! Lots of students soon join us again for another course or diploma.
Don’t just take our word for it, take a look at the recent reviews on Trip Advisor.
READ REVIEWSNorthcote Cookery School offers a range of hands-on courses including skills and techniques classes, themed cookery days, entertaining courses and masterclasses. Take a look at the courses available here.
No. Courses are suitable for beginners through to experienced home cooks.
All cookery courses include hands-on tuition from our expert cookery school team, a light breakfast on arrival, demonstrations and practical cooking sessions, a two-course lunch with a glass of wine, mid-afternoon refreshments and a Northcote Cookery School apron and course folder to take home.
Yes. All ingredients, equipment and cooking materials required for the course are provided by Northcote Cookery School, allowing you to focus on learning new skills and enjoying the experience.
Yes. At the end of the day, you'll usually take home the dishes you have prepared during the course, along with your Northcote Cookery School apron and recipe folder. On some courses, it may be more appropriate to enjoy the food during the day, depending on the menu and style of class.
Classes are led by Head Tutor Ben , Tutor Dan and assistant Darcy, with selected masterclasses featuring Lisa Goodwin-Allen and guest chefs. Meet our Tutors here.
Yes, gift vouchers are available for individual courses and experiences.
Most courses are offered as full-day experiences that start at 9am and finishes around 5pm.
Guests attending the cookery school can take advantage of special accommodation rates and enjoy Northcote's hotel and restaurant. (Excludes Friday and Saturday night stays.). Please call 01254 240555 to enquire and book.
The Northcote Cookery School offers unequalled standards of tuition and cuisine. The school works closely with specialist kitchen professionals and leading appliance manufacturers to maintain a state-of-the-art facility, unrivalled in the north of England.
These partnerships are fundamental to the success of the cook school and provide the foundations for an exciting future extending the comprehensive range of culinary courses on offer at this unique facility.
Our thanks to our supporters and sponsors of the Northcote Cookery School.
