One of our competition winners Amanda Statham shares her experience of the Vegetarian Society Cookery School’s Seasonal Cookery: Autumn course on Saturday 4 September.
Which class did you attend and what did you learn?
I attended the autumn cookery class on Saturday 4 September, along with my partner, Pawel.
We enjoyed learning about making the best use of the excellent produce that’s available during this season, combining vegetables, fruit and herbs to prepare tasty and healthy meals.
What was your experience of the class?
The class was very well organised and structured, and presented in a very friendly and approachable manner. Although there was a lot packed in to the day, we didn’t feel rushed and were able to enjoy both the preparation of the dishes and tasting them once they were ready. There was plenty of opportunity to ask questions and had help when needed.
How did the class compare with your expectations beforehand?
I enjoy eating good, healthy food but I’m not the most patient or skilled person when it comes to preparing meals! I had thought that the class would involve some complex preparations and perhaps be above my skill level. However, the class was certainly suitable for people of all cooking abilities and was a lot more relaxed than I’d expected.
We are both meat eaters but often eat meat-free meals, both at home and when eating out. Although options have improved for non-meat eaters in recent years, we’ve sometimes found when eating out that vegetarian and vegan meals can still be somewhat bland. The course has shown us that with a bit of thought, preparation and great ingredients, it’s possible to produce a filling and tasty meal without meat.
What did you enjoy most about the day? Did you have a favourite dish of the day?
The focus on using ingredients which are in season is a great idea. We do try to buy local, fresh produce when possible, both to support local producers and reduce food miles. It’s nice to have picked up some tips on how to best use the ingredients that are available at the moment.
All the dishes we sampled were very tasty. Of course, we weren’t able to eat everything that we made during the day so we were very happy to be able to take away what was left over, to enjoy later on.
Having the washing up taken care of for us throughout the class was a bonus and we definitely didn’t leave hungry at the end of the day!
In terms of the dishes, Pawel’s favourite was the beetroot and pear soup, with the butternut squash and sage scones – this was also my favourite savoury dish. I have a sweet tooth and really enjoyed the delicious apple and blackberry crumble with white chocolate and vanilla custard.
Would you recommend this class to others?
I would highly recommend the class to others. You don’t need to be vegetarian or a master in the kitchen: just have a willingness to learn and enjoy some great food. The classes are small, so help is at hand when needed.
Would you be interested in attending a Vegetarian Society Cookery School class again?
I’d be more than happy to attend another class. We enjoyed our day very much, learnt some good recipes and tips and ate plenty of great food. Thank you to the Vegetarian Society for a wonderful experience!
If you’d like to find out more about our cookery courses both at the Vegetarian Society Cookery School and online, please check out our course finder.
