Harts Barn Cookery School is all about cooking for all – all ages and skill levels are catered for, and they teach everything from banquets to basics, offering a huge range of regular classes, workshops, supper clubs and events. All classes offer a hands-on element and focus on gaining practical skills and knowledge as well as being enjoyable.

Like me, they view cooking as an essential life skill. Their ethos of ‘cooking for all’ means offering classes that are accessible, practical, affordable, give confidence and are lots of fun. At their heart, they believe in the ‘socialisation’ of food, bringing people together whether they are learning a new skill in the kitchen or sitting down and enjoying the soiree.

So I’m really pleased that in 2021 I will be working alongside cookery school principal Yvette Farrell on one of her favourite classes: Forage and Feast, which has grown out of Yvette’s own passion for the food of the hedgerows, woods and footpaths throughout the wonderful Forest of Dean.

During this class you will join me for a forage around the immediate environment surrounding the Cookery School - along the hedgerows, through woodland, orchards and nearby meadows. What we find - and later go on to cook - will very much vary depending on the time of year, but you can probably count on wild garlic and freshly growing greens in the Spring, and nuts, berries and mushrooms in Autumn… but rest assured, there will always something to make a feast from.

After our walk will return to Harts Barn, where will sort through your foraging finds, before going on to work on creating a wonderful feast to dine on – a challenge based on what we find.

We will make a range of foraging inspired drinks and dishes such as infused tea, bread, savoury dishes and finally something sweet to finish.

Duration: 5 hours

Price: £95 per person, purchased via Harts Barn Cookery School.