Seven London Cookery Schools Up for Top Industry Award

Seven cookery schools in London have been shortlisted as finalists in the inaugural British Cookery School Awards, which is headline sponsored by Kenwood. The British Cookery School Awards were launched in June of this year to celebrate and honour cookery schools’ hard work and dedication to driving Britain’s passion for cooking good, homemade food.

The winners of the British Cookery School Awards’ 14 categories will be announced at the awards event, hosted by Nigel Barden, at the Vintners’ Company, EC4, on Tuesday 13th November.  The winners of each category will receive a top-of-the-range Kenwood kitchen appliance, as well as a trophy and the accolade of being a British Cookery School Awards 2012 champion.

The Awards honour the achievements of cookery schools from across the UK, celebrating all sizes and specialities. The categories celebrate both individuals and whole cookery schools, as well as placing special emphasis on their impact within the community and on using good, locally sourced ingredients. Blackheath Cooks, Divertimenti, L’Atelier des Chefs, Leith’s School of Food and Wine, Food at 52, Rachel’s Kitchen and School of Wok are all finalists.

London cookery schools are in the running for the following categories:

Best English Cookery School (sponsored by Dr Oetker UK Ltd)
Blackheath Cooks Ltd
Leith’s

Best Small Cookery School (sponsored by Kenwood)
Food at 52

Best Large Cookery School (sponsored by Pyrex)
L’atelier des Chefs
Leith’s

Best Specialist Cookery School (sponsored by the Bart Ingredients Co)
School of Wok

Unsung Hero: Backroom Staff Member
Divertimenti
Food at 52
L’Atelier des Chefs

Best Young Rising Star (sponsored by Dr Oetker UK Ltd)
Divertimenti  
L’Atelier des Chefs
Rachel’s Kitchen
School of Wok

All seven schools are also in the running for the People’s Choice: Britain’s Favourite Cookery School Award, voted for by the public.

Head judge of the British Cookery School Awards, Nigel Barden, said: “It was amazing to get such a good response to the Awards. It was gratifying that such store is set by using local, ethically sourced ingredients and that many establishments are integrated so well into their communities. This is reflected in their on-going relationships with youth clubs, community centres and schools, which provide the opportunity to cook, often for the first time. The range of these awards helps celebrate some remarkable individuals and cookery schools.”

www.britishcookeryschoolawards.co.uk