I had a look around this place for the first time. Wow. A training school for people to learn to…read morecook, make cocktails, coffee making and much more. I've never seen a kitchen so well equipped as this kitchen, since my days at Est Est Est. The kitchen looks so modern. The kitchen is so clean. And it's almost as if you've walked onto a cooking shows live set. The TENNENT'S complex has a tour too. I've not been on it yet. But after being on the Guinness one in Dublin, I have an idea this one will just be as fun. If you are looking for a work bonding session, or just would like to cook. Then Google this place as it really does have loads on. I'd give it 10 if I could.

The Bellini Cooking School was an amazing discovery. Run by Angelo and Gina, a husband and wife…read moreteam, I have always been warmly welcomed and have learnt so much! I first came using a Groupon voucher for a fresh pasta-making class. Angelo is from the Western side of Italy and was trained at one of the top cooking school. He used to own and cook for the Bellini restaurant in Edinburgh and has run cooking classes for 14 years. He has now turned to focusing on teaching everyday cooking. Angelo and Gina have had the Bellini Cooking School, their new modest abode on Dalkeith Road, for just over a year. The three-hour pasta class was fantastic. Angelo modelled how to make the dough and then we each had a go at it. While the dough was resting, we learned really useful and practical chopping skills and made a homemade pasta sauce that was amazingly easy and delicious, too! Next, we returned to the pasta and using the pasta machines to make tagliatelle, spaghetti, and fusilli bow-tie pasta. We then used the main sauce as a base for two other sauces and cooked up some of the pasta. We sat down to feast on the fruits of our labour - delicious homemade pasta with the three sauces. Unexpectedly, we also got to take home a box of our own homemade pasta and a cup of sauce! This kept me fed well for days. Yum! Angelo and Gina are down to earth and are all about teaching everyday people great cooking skills for everyday cooking that is stunning. They are also all about small classes with only eight people per class so it's all hands on and you have plenty of time to ask Angelo any questions you may have. They are also all about community and held a great open house feast in which people who have enjoyed various classes with them could come together and meet whilst bonding over great Italian food. Although cooking class prices seem expensive online (£85), they have loyalty cards which are free and enable you to get classes for £32 each, and the sixth class free. This is really reasonable for all the knowledge - and food! - that you receive during this great cooking experience. Highly recommended!

This was my 2nd time at a Cook School Dine and Demo evening the first time being more years ago…read morethan I care to remember! The Dine and Demo evenings are like taster courses--you don't actually do any cooking but you learn how to make food, come away with recipes and do a LOT of eating (and drinking!) You're welcomed with a cocktail (or wine/beer if you prefer) and then taken through to the kitchen where the chefs talk you through the evening's menu--in our case it was "American Diner." As the chef talked us through we were given a riff on potato skins---baked sliced of potato topped with crème fraiche, bacon and chives, something I will definitely be attempting at home as they were AMAZING. All the while the chefs are cooking away your glasses of wine or soft drinks get topped up so you can relax and enjoy. We had two more starters of mac and cheese and chowder. The mac and cheese was okay, nothing to write home about but the chowder was really lovely with loads of smoked fish and mussels for those who ate them. I should say at this point they cater to food allergies (they even have a whole gluten-free night) and left coriander out for me in the recipe it appeared. After the chefs have walked you through making everything you go back to the dining room while they finish up and you are served your main (which you watched prepared)--we had pulled pork cheeks on a sweet corn cake with courgette slaw and cheddar/chive rolls. It was really tasty and was then followed up by an overly indulgent pecan pie. Again you're getting wine this whole time! It is a really fun evening to have with friends or as a couple. The American Diner wasn't authentic American food but a more Scottish, posher take on it. I'd definitely recommend going to anyone. It is worth noting that public transportation isn't really an option. The Cook School is in Crosshouse in pretty much what is sort of an industrial estate. The Kilmarnock train station is 2.5 miles away so you could get the train and then a taxi or there is a Premier Inn within walking distance so you could make a night of it. Luckily of us my mother-in-law lives 10 minutes away so we get a lift and a place to stay! Definitely well worth it and I can't wait to plan our next night!

I was given a trip to The Cook School as a 30th birthday present and after a bit of dithering on my…read morepart I plumped for a trip to East Ayrshire for Game Day. First thing to note is that it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere, I'm lucky enough to be able to drive but if you can't I'd suggest you find a lift as I couldn't see any easy public transport routes to hand. The day starts at around 10 in the morning where you meet the people you are cooking with and having a freshly made scone or two. You then go into the kitchen where you are given a workstation and a plan for what you would be making that day. It is a mix of demonstration and cooking at a level that was more than comfortable for me but not too taxing for the less experienced cooks in the room, If I was being picky I didn't get to spend as much time doing the more difficult stuff as that was left to the chef but you can understand why it's done. You get to make 3 or 4 dishes along with a couple of demonstrations, all of which you get to eat in the dining room at the back of the kitchen at the end of the day. Any spares you make or leftovers you get to take away in a doggy bag. I'd go back to the Cook School but I would want to make absolute sure that the dishes I were cooking weren't something I had done before as some of the dishes I ended up with I have been known to knock up in my house. Overall a good foodie day out.

Visit with my sister who lives in Edinburgh. She signed up for a series of cooking classes at the…read moreNew Town Cookery School. The instructor is a professional Chef who did a fantastic job teaching us three beautiful recipes the one evening I attended. The techniques weee simple and it was amazing how the tips she gave us yielded beautiful food that I'm now making in the US. Such a fantastic treat. Thank you!

I was here for an event recently and was impressed with the amenities and set up of the cookery…read moreschool. There was plenty of prep space for everyone even though we were a bigger group than their usual classes. Everything was clean and very well laid out, meaning I could easily find things I needed having not been there before. All the staff working on the night were friendly and eager to help. We ate our creations in the cooking area and there wasn't enough chairs for everyone, but I am assured by a friend who has been to one of their classes that there is actually a nice dining room in another part that you normally eat in on a course. Though she said they had to do their own dishes on the course. We were lucky that our dishes were taken care of at the event. They also have plenty of containers if you're not able to finish your creations on the day and want to take them home with you. I'd been apprehensive about booking a class having not seen what it's like, but will definitely be looking into what they have on offer! #yelpmision #FTRFebruary

I have now spent 2 afternoons with Ru at the Krua Thai Cookery School and thoroughly enjoyed both…read moreof them. Ru teaches either one on one or in small groups and she caters for absolute beginners and trained chefs. She taught me in her cosy kitchen and is a pleasure to work with. She is friendly and interesting, tells you all about the ingredients you are using and gets you to do as much as possible yourself. It was great making thai curry pastes from scratch and tasting how much better they are than the shop bought ones. After you cook each dish ( you can do about 4 in an afternoon) - Ru sits you down and gets you to try your handy work - all very yummy. At the end of the day she sends you off - ladened down with all the dishes you have made plus spices, garnish, rice and all the trimmings to get you started at home. There is a whole range of courses you can do and she is happy to tailor to what you want. She also teaches fruit carving and does outside catering for events big and small. If you want to learn how to cook authentic thai food - go see Ru.

This is an incredible cookery school! Ru is the most professional person I have ever met - her…read morestandards are far higher than most people can reach. She also makes the lessons fun and easy-to-follow - And the food is DELICIOUS. I thoroughly recommend Ru and Kra Thai!

One of my very first Glasgae experiences was to be welcomed with open crafty arms at Say It Ain't…read moreSew. Having left London a little broken hearted, forced to kiss goodbye the lovely sewing cafe at the end of my street... my eyes were dried the minute I realised Glasgow had the ultimate trump card: A SEWING PUB! The Hillhead Bookclub is such a fabulous venue and it's a great space for this friendly little group. Tucked in an upstairs nook, the atmospheric lighting makes for weekly needle-threading hilarity! If I could sew within a 5m radius of a cracking bar every night - I'd be a very well dressed alcoholic (with really great curtains). While I'll be honest to say I had originally expected more of a fabric/pattern sewing vibe - as opposed to more crafty-esque sewing projects - it's a stroke of genius to have bright, super fun projects that can be whipped up in great company over the space of a couple of hours. All patterns and supplies are provided (I know, right?!) - absolute beginners are welcomed, you just bring along a smile and willingness to get stuck in. Iona has created something truly remarkable and I still can't quite believe Say It Ain't Sew catch-ups are absolutely free of charge... spreading magic sewing fairy dust to any who may seek it.