Gift an incredible cookery experience this Christmas


If you’re looking for a present with a difference, treat your loved one to a Vegetarian Society Cookery School gift voucher.

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Vouchers start from £10

Cookery School

The Essential Veggie (two days)

(90 customer reviews)

Buy a gift voucher

From: £300.00

— This course is adaptable for vegans; just let us know when booking —

This is a two day course and the price covers both days.

Dates:  25-26 May, 22-23 June, 20-21 July, 24-25 August,21-22 Sep, 12-13 Oct, 16-17 Nov, 2019, 25-26 Jan, 22-23 Feb 2020

This exciting two-day workshop will give you the foundation techniques, skills and knowledge you need for modern vegetarian cooking.

We will show you how to build your own collection of innovative recipes and increase your understanding of vegetarian food and nutrition so you can return to the kitchen confident and full of new ideas.

Recipes we are likely to make include:

  • Sushi
  • Butterbean Pate
  • Teriyaki Bread Tofu
  • Potato and Spinach Gnocchi with Moroccan Tomato and Red Lentil Sauce
  • West African Peanut Butter Stew
  • Ginger Crumbed Chocolate Berry Cheesecake
  • Mushroom and Quinoa Soup

Above recipes are subject to availability of ingredients.

What to expect…

We welcome students of all abilities, so whatever your current skill level, you’ll fit right in. And you don’t have to be veggie to enjoy our courses – everyone’s welcome! Our cookery experiences will help you hone your cooking skills in a fun and friendly atmosphere. You’ll dive right in with hands-on practical cookery sessions, under the expert guidance of our experienced tutors, who will share their wealth of knowledge with you. Attendee numbers are kept small so you’ll have maximum contact with the tutors – and there will be plenty of opportunities throughout the day to ask any questions you may have.

What else you need to know…

We have lots of free car parking available on site. If you’re getting here by public transport, we are only a short taxi ride or a 20 minute walk from Altrincham bus station/train station/Metrolink (Altrincham line). Here’s our address: Vegetarian Society Cookery School, Parkdale, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 4QG.

We have Vegetarian Society Cookery School aprons for students to use on the courses – and if you really like them, they are available to purchase at the school.
Throughout the day, there are lots of opportunities to take photos/videos (which are great for sharing on social media), so feel free to get your phones or cameras out and snap away! The only thing we ask is that you check with the other students if they are in any photos you want to put on social media.

If you have any other questions about your course, you can always give us a call on 0161 925 2000 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) – we’re happy to help.

And finally: enjoy yourself!

Additional information

Time and dietary info

This course can be adapted for those on vegan and gluten-free diets. Just let us know when booking.

Day 1 – 10.00am – 4.00pm. Including lunch and refreshment breaks.
Day 2 – 10.00am – 4.00pm. Including lunch and refreshment breaks.

Discover how to structure dishes nutritionally and for flavour. Covering essential skills with tofu and other plant proteins, as well as soups, salads, main courses and desserts.

After the course you will be able to plan your own veggie menu and know how to make balanced meals every time. You’ll meet other aspiring veggie cooks and enjoy a delicious lunch together, before taking home each meal you make in the afternoon.

90 reviews for The Essential Veggie (two days)

  1. Crystal –

    Very informative. Given lots of information regarding nutrition content.

  2. Clare –

    I now feel more confident to adapt recipes now that i have a better understanding of different ingredients i haven’t used before

  3. Rachel –

    Lyn was great lots of knowledge and experience

  4. Jo –

    It has been really informative, fun and included great recipes and tips. Only having two of us in the class was also super lucky as it meant we could ask lots of questions and spend time where it was needed. Lyn was hugely knowledgeable and helpful – the pace was great as allowed us to really understand what and why we were doing everything.
    This helped to build my knowledge on how to lead a healthy balanced vegetarian lifestyle and gain more experience so i can feel more confident cooking vegetarian meals at home. Confidence, understanding of quorn and tofu, tips and tricks to the basics.

  5. Jo –

    Clear instruction. Not rushed but we got through lots of different recipes. Suitable for people with very little previous experience as well as those with existing experience

  6. Kare –

    Just brilliant. Learnt so much. Lyn is amazing

  7. Amanda –

    Great techniques without costly ingredients- definitely worth it.

  8. Stuart –

    Excellent and patient teacher, learnt some good knowledge and gained confidence

  9. Terry –

    Excellent range of recipes, good instructions, friendly staff, range of activities.

  10. C. Hepburn –

    Interesting, varied, extremely well paced. Interesting choices of recipes

  11. Saskia –

    Be prepared to have lots of new cooking ideas when you leave

  12. Lucy –

    Definitely come!

  13. Antonio –

    Good environment. Tasty food.

  14. Paul –

    Do it! Its a great stress buster as it takes your mind away from the world as you are focused on just cooking.

  15. Matthew –

    I enjoyed the course and the food was delicious.

  16. Denise –

    Exceptional value for money and you will leave with everything you need to get started as a vegetarian. Exceeded expectations in every way.

  17. Joseph –

    Gained an understanding of different veggie ingredients

  18. Dave –

    Absolutely come and attend the course its excellent and provides the opportunity to develop new skills and to meet new people

  19. Lily –

    Do the course. It is really beneficial especially for new vegetarians

  20. Maria –

    Be open to different food combinations you might not make at home

  21. Ronnie –

    I would encourage everyone to attend

  22. Chloé –

    Gained knowledge of new ingredients and how to use them

  23. George –

    Its fun and relaxed – all set up for you and good for novice and every day cooks

  24. Laura –

    So much fun and knowledge packed into one day! Tutor Fiona was fab too

  25. The Healthy Eater –

    I now have enthusiasm to cook more vegan dishes

  26. Samantha –

    I have learned lots and really enjoyed the relaxed friendly atmosphere

  27. Amanda –

    Lots of great ideas
    Learnt more vegan cooking tips.

  28. Alex –

    Everything was excellent. Varied recipes and fantastic tutor.

  29. Sheryl –

    Excellent Course

  30. Patrina –

    Brilliant day. Super presentation

  31. Jackie –

    Informative and varied.

  32. Tracy –

    Do it! It is amazing , so exciting. Lyn was excellent, very supportive, knowledgeable and friendly. She created a relaxed environment and made us all feel welcome. Her knowledge of vegetarian food and recipes was amazing.

  33. Debbie J –

    Worth every penny. Informative, friendly and relaxed. Tutor great (Lyn).

  34. Ursula –

    Would strongly recommend. Well planned and prepared. Very good guidance from Lyn.

  35. Karen –

    Very practical, great atmosphere and good tutor.

  36. Marion –

    Lyn is a superb tutor calm and able to relax an anxious non-cook! Excellent introduction to turning veggie, Lyn is an inspiration to someone starting cooking again after many years of ready meals for one!

  37. Guy –

    SO GOOD! Extended range of techniques, philosophy of vegetarians and some great recipes.

  38. Frazer –

    Would recommend. Interesting new ideas combining flavours and learning new ingredients.

  39. Bronwen –

    Great group, good fun, great tutor. Very good course, learnt loads.

  40. Janet –

    Fabulous day, will be definitely booking some more.

  41. Laura –

    Fabulous day will definitely be booking some more

  42. Samantha –

    I learned lots of new skills

  43. Patricia –

    Brilliant day

  44. Alex –

    Do it!

  45. Rosemary –

    DEFINITELY GO! Great teaching and a real great group to be with, well organised.

  46. Louise –

    DO IT! Thoroughly enjoyed myself and Lyn was so informative.

  47. Michelle –

    Amazing!

  48. Kim –

    Go for it, you will have a really enjoyable day.

  49. Jane –

    Highly recommended for anyone trying to eat more plant based foods

  50. Sheryl –

    Excellent!

  51. Mike –

    Try it!

  52. Jackie –

    Would recommend

  53. David F –

    Definitely go for it. Excellent tuition, great facilities.

  54. Holly –

    Really good intro to vegetarian cooking. The teacher is very knowledgeable and very helpful; good range of dishes.

  55. Andrew M –

    Good for exploring a broader range of ingredients and learning new skills. Approachable and plenty to learn.

  56. M Morris –

    Extremely good course, I felt I learnt quite a lot.

  57. Lucy –

    A brilliant course. Lyn is a fantastic tutor- you will learn so much!

  58. Ellie –

    Lyn was lovely and very helpful. The recipes are great and everything you need is provided.

  59. Val –

    Great tutor! This course was well paced and truly embraced all aspects of veg cooking.

  60. Isabel –

    Do it even if you are advance. There was a wide variety of dishes, it was awesome.

  61. Nici –

    Come and try, you may surprise yourself in how good you are and what flavours you like!

  62. Chris P –

    Nothing was a bother for the tutor and her able assistant! Jump in, you’ll not regret it!

  63. David B –

    This was a most enjoyable weekend!

  64. Angela W –

    It was good to cook food then eat together and share what we cooked. I got some fabulous dinner party ideas!

  65. Michael –

    I would encourage people to do this course, I have learnt lots of new skills.

  66. Christine –

    Recommend it ‘big style’!!

  67. J Clews –

    Busy course but relaxed. Professional skills but not intimidating. Very sociable.

  68. Lucy & Peter –

    We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! It’s definitely worth coming and exceeded our expectations!

  69. Ben –

    Highly recommended.

  70. Nicolas –

    Do it! It’s fun and you’ll learn too- Alex and Lynn are great teachers!

  71. Kerry T –

    A great couple of days.

  72. Mary P –

    Please do come, it is fun and there is so much learning!

  73. Miriam –

    I came knowing nothing and left feeling inspired and enthusiastic!

  74. Janet W –

    Do come! It’s fun, lots of lovely food and good company.

  75. Frank –

    Try it- you won’t be disappointed.

  76. Michael –

    Very valuable, informative and enjoyable- there was such a range of items across the weekend.

  77. Patricia G –

    Great fun. Try everything. Choose out of your comfort zone. Don’t eat for 2 days beforehand! Didn’t know what to expect. Felt very comfortable and welcome. Great instruction.

  78. Alex M –

    Do it! It’s great, definitely worth the money. Alex is great. Also great if you don’t know that much about cooking

  79. Alex F –

    It is a lot of fun, very practical and down-to-earth, and it is a source of inspiration to cook at lots of levels. A huge library of delicious recipes that are very makeable in real life

  80. Lisa M –

    Excellent trainer! Enjoyable 2 days. Learnt a lot, in a good pace. Don’t miss it and definitely go for it!

  81. Chris R –

    Definitely consider this if you want a step up from ready meals or pasta every night.

  82. Sue D –

    I am a vegetarian and wanted to learn about techniques and recipes as I looked to increase vegetarian recipes in my diet. Be prepared to work hard and eat a lot! Well worth the investment

  83. Le L –

    Far exceeded my expectations. Lots of info and useful tips

  84. Nicholas J –

    Having completed the regional Indian course I wanted to expand my skills and knowledge. A comprehensive introduction to baking, salads and popular savoury dishes

  85. Brenda M –

    Wanted to extend my repertoire of meals – Yes, it was brilliant. More confidence, and understanding of vegan alternatives. I can’t believe how many diverse + delicious things we made in 2 days. It made me feel that the world is a good place!

  86. Catherine H –

    The course was brilliant! I really enjoyed all the sessions and I thought the tuition was really friendly, helpful and informative. I would definitely come back to do another course.

  87. Cathy W –

    Very enjoyable, thank you!

  88. Julian C –

    I really enjoyed the course. The staff were excellent.

  89. Jill G –

    Great course. Alex very professional and relaxed attitude. Thanks

  90. Harriet B –

    Really enjoyed the whole weekend. Great to meet other people and to work together. Alex was great, very informative and helpful. The rest of the team who helped out were super helpful too. Big thank you!

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