Daylesford Cookery School

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a chefs table by James Devonshire at Daylesford, and it was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was welcoming and the setting intimate, perfect for the culinary adventure that awaited us.James Devonshire, a master at his craft, presented us with a menu that was both innovative and delightful. The meal commenced with a creamy pumpkin soup, its richness perfectly balanced with subtle spices. This was followed by a visually stunning and flavourful beetroot and sesame starter that was a testament to the chef's attention to detail and creativity.The main course, a confit duck paired with a succulent duck breast, was a standout. Accompanied by a smooth parsnip purée, the dish was enhanced with the sweetness of roasted figs and the crunch of roasted oats and nuts, creating a symphony of textures and flavours.The grand finale, a bay leaf ice cream with a rice pudding soufflé, was a masterful blend of traditional and modern dessert techniques. It was a fitting end to a meal that was as much an art form as it was a dining experience.In summary, the chef's table at Daylesford is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates fine dining in a cosy, yet elegant setting. James Devonshire's talent shines through in every dish, making this experience not just a meal, but a celebration of culinary excellence. Highly recommended for a unique and memorable dining experience.

I have just come back from the Vegan Cookery Course at Daylesford totally inspired by the experience. James and James were the perfect hosts, I have learnt a huge amount and eaten delicious food throughout the day. This really is a very special course with lovely people in gorgeous surroundings. Thank you, I am already looking forward to booking another.

We've attended 2 courses now and loved them both. Well structured, fun, interesting and ideas you can definitely take home with you. Looking forward to returning.

Did a full day cookery course and it was very disappointing. We spent about 90% of the time sitting watching the chefs cook rather than cooking ourselves. It felt like the experience was set up to look good on instagram rather than be engaging, fun or practical. It was very overpriced for a glorified cooking demonstration and lunch.

I took my Dad for a Fathers Day Present to the ‘Mastering The Barbecue Course’ which was amazing. James Devonshire was a great tutor and taught us some very useful tips and skills. He took barbecuing to the next level and was great to learn fish and vegetable cooking as well as meat. Couldn’t recommend this course enough!

I recently attended the Artisan Bread Making course at Daylesford and it was fantastic! I learned so much over the day and went home with my freshly baked attempts (and they weren't half-bad!) and a sore head (I haven't had to concentrate so much in a while!) Aside from the bread-making lessons, we were treated to a delicious hot smoked salmon lunch as well as our own home-made bagels. Our instructor and supporting team members were brilliant, incredibly knowledgeable and patient. The course was delivered really well and I can't wait to book onto the next one! Thank you so much to James, James, and Sophie!

We had an amazing night. The food is one of the best I had in long time, with fresh and organic ingredients prepared in front of us by James, our great chef host. We had starters, fish, meat, dessert and a special vegetarian meal. Absolutely incredible and strongly recommended!

A fantastic experience for our teenage daughter. Very well delivered and the food was delicious! Thank you so much James and Iona for your care and attention!Highly recommended!