Top 25 Cookery Schools in Ireland

25 Cracking Cookery Schools in Ireland and Northern Ireland

Nothing will set you on the right food path than a great cookery course. In Ireland, we are blessed with some incredible places to learn how to cook or how to improve on our skills. With so much on offer it’s easy to get overwhelmed, but never fear – Team I Love Cooking has done the hard work for you. Read on, for our round-up of the best ones around…

Alix Gardner Cookery School – Based in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Alix Gardner is a highly respected cookery teacher with over 20 years’ experience. Scheduled evening classes hold eight students and private classes are available too for group bookings.

Aniar Boutique Cookery School – Based in Galway city.

Anair is a Michelin Star restaurant owned and operated by JP McMahon and Drigín Gaffey. JP also runs the cookery courses, the man clearly likes to keep busy. Anair offers a wide variety of classes the cover everything from Christmas dinner to wild food, seaweed, fish, bread and a whole lot more. Classes include demonstrations and hands-on activities to help students to gain confidence in the kitchen and improve their cooking skills.

Ballyknocken Cookery School, Catherine Fulvio – Based in Ballyknocken, Co. Wicklow.

Talented TV chef Catherine Fulvio may be known for her Italian cooking but the chef offers courses for cooks of all interests from her beautiful cookery school set in the heart of Wicklow. For those cooking for a family there are lots courses that will are ideally suited to get the kids eating healthily!

Ballymaloe Cookery School – Based in Shanagarry, Co. Cork.

Multi award-winning Ballymaloe Cookery School is an institution in itself, with students travelling from all over the world to attend. Students can expect to learn not only how to cook but understanding food and the landscape in which they come from. Ballymaloe is the only cookery school in the world with its own organically certified farm. There are courses for all levels from an introduction to cooking to a much more intensive 3 month course for those of you thinking of a career in food. With tutors such as Darina Allen, Rachel Allen and of course Rory O’Connell  you really are learning from the best in the business.

 

Belfast Cookery School  – Based in Belfast, Co. Antrim.

The folks from Mourne Seafood are behind Belfast Cookery School and they teach an interesting timetable. Amongst the classes are ‘Knife Skills’ and ‘Perfect Steak’ which are brilliant for any would be cooks.

Belle Isle Cookery School – Based in Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh.

Embark on a culinary adventure in the beautiful setting of Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh. The Belle Isle Cooker School offers bespoke cookery courses, demonstrations and dining experiences for groups of eight or more. You’ll learn to cook a variety of dishes here using plenty of ingredients from the school’s walled garden. You can’t get much fresher than that.

Ciara’s Kitchen – Based in Delgany, Co. Wicklow.

Ciara’s Kitchen is a well-established cooking school situated just outside the beautiful village of Delgany, Co. Wicklow. Ciara offers up to four cooking demos per week ranging from Healthy Eating to Quick Dinners, BBQ to Fish. Approximately eight dishes are demonstrated and plated once ready to be tasted. Groups are kept small so it is an interactive and fun experience. Those who attend leave with plenty of tips and tricks so that they can easily recreate the dishes at home

Cooks Academy – Based in Dublin city centre.

With over fifty courses ranging from stir fries to seafood, Cooks Academy has a course for even the most wayward cook. A typical class has approximately 12-16 people and they regularly host some of Ireland’s most well-known chefs for specialised classes.

Donnybrook Fair – Based in Donnybrook, Dublin 4.

Donnybrook Fair’s Cookery School is a modern cookery school offering an incredible mix of demonstrations, hands-on and enlightening classes with executive chef and cookbook author Niall Murphy. ‘Easy Seafood’ and ‘Start your own Food Business’ are amongst the best courses here but there are many more to learn from. There are teenager cookery classes too!

Dunbrody House – Based in Arthurstown, Co. Wexford.

Kevin Dundon’s Dunbrody House on the Hook Peninsula is also home to his delightful cookery school. With a choice of one or two-day courses and a ‘Five-Day Masterclass’ for the more ambitious cook, there is something for everyone here.

East Coast Cookery School – Based in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth.

Run by Cordon Blue-trained chef, Tara Walker (as seen on TV3, LMFM and author of Good Food No Stress) the East Coast Cookery School offers cookery classes for children and adults in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. The Cookery School is a popular retreat for anyone interested in food and offers fun classes ranging from “A Mexican Feast” and “Firm Family Favourites” to “A Taste of Italy” or “Healthy, Fast and Fresh”. With so much on offer you’ll be sure to find a class to tickle your taste buds!

Edward Hayden’s Cookery School – Based in Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny.

With many courses to suit all levels of culinary proficiency this cookery school is a little gem, run by a man who’s passion for food is catching. Featuring family meal courses and tapas or finger food you will be spoiled for choice.

 

Fairy House Cookery School – Based in Rathoath, Co. Meath.

Suitable for any age this cookery school has been around for over ten years and is as popular as ever! Featuring some great courses for both children and adults, it is one to be considered.

Fiacri Country House – Based in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

Fiacri Country House in North Tipperary is the perfect place to learn with courses ranging from healthy eating to delicious dishes.

Firehouse Bakery – Based in Heir Island, Co. Cork.

Master baker Patrick Ryan runs his classes from his very own bakery on Heir Island, off the coast of West Cork. Travel by boat to spend a day learning the mystery of sourdough and all kinds of sweet baking in these small and inimate classes. To get a feel for what you can learn at one of Patrick’s classes check our Sourdough Masterclass video here.

Hook & Ladder – Based in Co. Limerick and Co. Waterford.

With two chic locations in Waterford and Limerick, Hook & Ladder’s courses are designed to cater for all levels and abilities. With 12 participants per class they promise a personalised approach and say that their courses are informative and enjoyable.

James St. South Cookery School – Based in Belfast, Co. Antrim.

One of Belfast’s top restaurants, James St. South runs a purpose-built interactive cookery school with an attractive assortment of cookery courses. Classes have a maximum capacity of 12 people and at the end of the course you can enjoy the fruits of your labour with a well-deserved glass of wine.

Just Cooking Kerry – Based in Killarney, Co. Kerry.

These classes are fun and entertaining and you will no doubt learn some new cookery skills. Offering the basic tips and tricks of cooking to home baking and slow cooker recipes, it is fair to say there is plenty to book yourself into.

Kevin Thornton’s KOOKS – Based in Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Explore and embrace your love of cooking with one of Ireland’ most renowned chefs. Kevin’s classes are suitable for all levels and places are limited to 6 per class, which guarantees lots of individual attention. The classes take place in Ranelagh, and are delivered in a homely, relaxed environment and the emphasis is very much on laughter as well as learning.

Kitchen in the Castle – Based in Howth, Co. Dublin.

Set in the stunningly restored Georgian kitchen of Howth Castle, this distinctive cookery school runs a great selection of popular courses. We recommend ‘Feast from the Sea’ a class which includes a visit to a local fish shop to teach you how best to select fish types then taking it back to learn how to best prepare and cook it. There are also amazing children cookery camps during the summer months.

Lady Eve Cookery – Based in Donnybrook, Dublin 4.

Ballymaloe trained Lady Eve (Nikki Walsh) greets students to her sophisticated Donnybrook (Co. Dublin) home to learn the basics of cooking with confidence. Her well-renowned three-course dinner party course always sells out rapidly but with some pre-planning you can book a place.

Lynda Booth’s Dublin Cookery School – Based in Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

Lynda Booth’s Dublin Cookery School, winner of ‘Best Cookery School’ at The Irish Restaurant Awards (2013 & 2015) runs numerous classes from an impressive purpose-built base in Blackrock. There’s a huge choice of 50 different courses making these a great option for anyone looking to learn more about cooking and those who want to build a career from it. Lynda is a fantastic teacher and extremely passionate and knowledgeable about her craft.

Neven Maguire Cookery School – Based in Blacklion Co. Cavan.

You can now learn how to cook from award winning chef Neven Maguire. Based in the beautiful Blacklion, Co. Cavan, the state of the art cookery school features a range of different classes suitable for all levels. The classes are kept small to ensure everyone gets individual attention and the best possible experience.

Pinocchio Italian Cookery School – Based in Dublin 12.

Learn how to make classic Italian dishes with the hilarious and animated Giuseppe Crupi. Classes are suited for all levels of cook, from absolute beginner to the experienced, and have varying themes; from learning how to make various pasta (from scratch) to pizza, breads, desserts, or dishes from specific regions in Italy. You also get to enjoy your efforts at the end of the class with a sit down meal.

The Tannery – Based in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

Celebrity chef Paul Flynn’s Tannery restaurant is on the bucket list of all foodies in the know, and his cookery courses are a fantastically enjoyable way to brush up on your skills. The Advanced Masterclass with Paul is one of their most popular courses and there are no more than 14 people in r each class.

Now, all you have to do is book one and off you go!

If you have discovered a cookery class or school we haven’t mentioned please get in touch on our Twitter or Facebook page.