delicious. TEST REPORT

in the know.

THE COOKERY SCHOOL

WHERE River Cottage, Axminster, Devon

THE COURSE One-day Cookery Course, £240 (includes lunch with wine)

TESTED BY Kathleen Silverfield

LIVING THE DREAM Everything blooms at River Cottage HQ, including your cookery skills

RECIPE: MATTHEW GOJEVIC. PHOTOGRAPH: TOBY SCOTT. FOOD STYLING: LOTTIE COVELL. STYLING: TONY HUTCHINSON

WHAT IT’S LIKE I felt as if I’d died and gone to foodie heaven when I arrived at River Cottage. The only thing more breathtaking than the rolling Devon countryside, which sits as a backdrop to the cookery school, were the dishes I prepared and ate that day.

As for the course, its simplicity struck me most. The stripped-down curriculum covers the basics of cookery in an eye-opening way; it equips you with the knowledge to cook the dishes taught on the day (of course), but also gives you some solid skills and the confidence to branch out and try new recipes – maybe even improvise a bit – in the future.

WHAT I LEARNED The day started out as most days should: by knocking out a freshly baked loaf. Chef Matthew Gojevic took the 15-strong group through the initial steps of baking River Cottage’s signature wholemeal loaf, broken down simply yet scientifically. He discussed the correct wholemeal-to-strong-white-bread-flourto- salt ratio, the rising time needed and how to bake a loaf that has a fluffy centre encased by a crisp, golden crust.

Another highlight was when Matt taught us how to scale and prepare a whole pollock for a fish curry. Picture 15 novices scraping away at their fish, scales flying everywhere – it was as comical as it was informative. I learned how to deconstruct the large fish from the fillet to the cheeks – a useful skill that will come in handy the next time my fishmonger has flu…