Drill Hall Cook School

The Drill Hall Cook School is an exciting new Scottish Government funded venture from the Drill Hall cafe team. We are creating a programme of cooking and baking workshops and community events to run throughout the year. It’s a chance for people of all ages and skill levels to get involved, and learn how to cook and bake for practical purposes, or just for fun.

We are opening up our spacious and fully equipped kitchen and inviting you to come and learn kitchen skills, from how to make a simple soup to specialist bread and preserving techniques. We’ll be using our combined knowledge of over 30 years of cooking experience, as well as freelance tutors and volunteers to deliver social, informative and fun workshops.

We focus on teaching skills you can take home and adapt to what is in season or what you happen to have in your cupboards. Browse and book from the latest workshops below or get in touch to organise a session on behalf of a group.

One of our key objectives with Cook School is to get young people into the kitchen and carry on sharing skills and experience. If you are working with 16 – 24 year olds and have a group which would be interested in a workshop then please get in touch. We can tailor workshops to suit your group’s interest and ability, from a healthy eating session to how to make your own takeaway. 

Cook School Grades
No, we won’t be marking you and there won’t be an exam but to make sure the workshop is for you, please read the descriptions below – they explain the grading we refer to in the workshop description. Age guidelines are also detailed in each workshop description. Please feel free to contact us for more details.

Absolute Beginner – If you’ve never or have only very seldom cooked from scratch.
Beginner – you’ve done a little cooking/ baking but want some guidance on how to get into cooking/ baking more.
Improver – you can make basics but want to improve and expand what you can make.
Special Skills – these are for people who want to do something that might take a bit longer or are limited to seasons/ equipment. For example recipes for wild garlic in spring, fermenting vegetables, jam making, bread making, chutneys and pickles.

See below & our What’s On page for upcoming workshops.

UPDATE – 17th March 2020:
ALL DRILL HALL COOK SCHOOL WORKSHOPS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED. 
Check back soon for new confirmed dates 

Drill Hall Cook School: Baking Basics
Sunday 22nd March
1pm – 4pm
Grade: Absolute Beginner/ Beginner
Price: £35 (half price for ages 16-24)
More info and bookings

Drill Hall Cook School: Take Away Tuesdays – Pizza 
Tuesday 24th March
5pm – 7pm
Grade: Beginner
Price: £30 (half price for ages 16-24)
More info and bookings

Drill Hall Cook School: Preservation Society – Jams & Chutneys
Sunday 5th April 2020
1pm – 5pm
Grade: Beginner/ Improver
Price: £45 (half price for ages 16-24)
More info and bookings

* Our youngest workshop leader has a qualification in Professional Cookery, all other workshop leaders have at least 5 years of professional cooking experience and our volunteers and freelance tutors are specialists in their field.