What does the activity include?
Choose from one of the following mouth watering one day courses:

Beside the seaside, beside the sea Steven will take you through all aspects of quality, preparation and cooking the perfect fish supper. Learn how to open and prepare shellfish and create accompanying stocks and sauces.

Cooking for the culinary challenged Have you ever despaired of your prowess in the kitchen? Well the Novelli Academy is the answer to your prayers. This one day beginner’s course will teach you the basic culinary skills from risottos to roasts, breads and ballottines and the perfect pastry.

Spring fayre We shrug off the Winter and look forward to the new seasons with its wide variety of inspiring ingredients – fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish and choice cuts from the butcher. These are then used to adapt classic recipes and create a number of mouth watering dishes from slow braised honey & cider, caramelised pork belly to spring vegetable broth with aioli.

Give us your bread our daily bread This fundamental course is designed to inspire you with the joys of home baking. From the basic tin loaf to the sweet and flavoured ones and on to the Germanic rye breads and sour doughs, finishing with the popular Mediterranean style breads.

Something for the ladies All ladies like to be pampered and this day is no exception. From the perfect slimming conscious lunch with the girls to a supper night in, this easy to prepare recipe collection is superb for parties and special nights in.

Hold the Meat This course covers a selection of seasonal vegetables available and how best to extract their flavours and use them to your culinary advantage. Recipes include delicious dishes such as baked vegetable gnocchi and tomato and onion tatin to name but a couple. Kindly note that this course is not suited to vegans as it will include the use of dairy products.

Time gentlemen please Time at last for a male orientated course showing you the rudiments of cooking, from the perfect mash to accompany home made sausage to enhancing the Sunday lunch. In addition there will be a range of inspirational ideas to make cookery a pleasure and you a little treasure overnight!

Kindly note that the themes of the courses are subject to change and availability.

Where does the experience take place?
The experience takes place at the Novelli Academy in Hertfordshire.

What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable, casual clothing. Participants will be provided with aprons for use during the course.

How long should I allow for this experience?
Courses usually start at 11am and finish at 4pm, kindly note these timings are approximate and subject to change.

When does the activity take place?
Courses are held on selected weekdays throughout the year. We recommend you book at least eight weeks in advance to ensure that dates are available before the expiry date listed on the voucher. This is only a guideline and we advise you book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. You must book and take your experience before the expiry date. All bookings are subject to availability.

Are there any restrictions?
Minimum age 16 years. Participants must be able to stand up for a reasonable length of time whilst participating in practical work.

What about the weather?
The weather will not affect this experience.

Can I bring spectators?
Sorry, all guests must hold a valid voucher for the experience.

What else do I need to know?
Lunch and beverages are included. You will need to advise of any food allergies or special requirements at the time of booking. Unfortunately there is no disabled access on site as it has not been possible to modify the 14th century listed building. Each participant will be provided with their own recipe folder. Approximately 50% of the course will be demonstrations and the other 50% will be ‘hands on’. Personal accident & cancellation insurance are included. Kindly note that once a date has been booked for this experience under no circumstances can it be changed or cancelled.