Knife Skills, Chefs Tips & The Mother Sauces – 18th April 2026

Master the foundations of professional cookery in this multifaceted and empowering Knife Skills, Chefs’ Tips & The Mother Sauces class. You’ll learn essential knife techniques that will transform how you prep, slice, and cook—while discovering the principles behind classic sauces that form the base of countless dishes. Along the way, our expert chef instructor will share decades of insider tips, tricks, and kitchen hacks to help you feel confident and capable in any culinary situation.

You’ll kick things off by mastering essential butchery and vegetable preparation, refining your precision and control with a variety of cuts, and perfecting techniques that elevate everyday cooking. From there, you’ll put your skills into practice, exploring ways to build flavour, balance, and texture in a range of dishes while learning the foundational sauces that underpin professional cuisine. You’ll also discover how to create rich, homemade stocks—the cornerstone of any well-stocked kitchen—giving you the tools to cook with confidence, creativity, and flair.

The day begins with coffee and a relaxed chat with your chef, where you’ll hear about the techniques you’ll be learning. Then it’s into the kitchen for a blend of demonstrations and hands-on cooking, where you’ll slice, stir, and simmer your way through the key elements of this essential culinary toolkit.

At the heart of our classes is a focus on cooking techniques rather than just following recipes. You’ll work together with fellow food lovers in a warm and welcoming kitchen environment, building your skills with every dish you create. For some elements, we’ll prep a few things in advance so you can focus on the most rewarding parts of the process.

We don’t hand out recipes during the class so you can fully enjoy the experience, but we’ll send you a complete recipe pack by email afterwards. Our chefs are always happy to answer any questions during or after your class.

There will be a short break for lunch where you’ll head to the dining room to enjoy your culinary creations with a glass of wine or a soft drink.

If you’d like to take home any extras, please bring suitable containers. Please note – we are unable to accept responsibility or liability for food taken out of the cookery school.

Knife Skills Covered:

• Deconstructing a chicken

• How to chop an onion ‘chef style’

• Creating the classic cuts using different knives

• Chefs tricks of the trade

Sample Dishes Include:

• Asian Chicken and Noodle Broth

• Quick Kimchi

• Béchamel Sauce

• Hollandaise Sauce

Demonstration Dishes:

• Velouté Sauce

• Tomato Sauce

• Espagnole Sauce

• Homemade Stocks

Important Information

Time:
10am – 3pm

When to arrive:
Please arrive 10 mins prior to the commencement of the class. On arrival you will be directed to our coffee lounge where you can meet the chef and chat about the class.

What to wear:
Please wear comfortable clothing and closed toe, non-slip footwear. An apron will be provided for you to use during the class.

What to bring:
Everything you need for the class will be provided for you. If you wish to take any food that you have cooked home with you, please bring suitable containers. Please note – we are unable to accept any responsibility or liability for food taken out of the cookery school.