Welcome to Cooks Academy's October e-Newsletter.  The first graduates from our Pro Course have just completed their intensive month long tuition here at the school.  We congratulate them on their achievement and wish them well with the culinary expertise they have acquired. The course has been a great success and a wonderful foodie adventure for all involved. 

If you want to become a Pro Cook in just 1 month, enrol now for the next Certificate Courses starting in January and February 07.  Click here for more details.  Also this month our Christmas schedule has been launched with details online.  Finally there is still last minute availability on some lessons starting in October - see below.

Lots of new courses kick off in October.  Fancy learning lots about preparing and cooking fish?  Then our 4 week Essential Seafood course which starts on 5 Oct is perfect for you.  There are still three places left.  Join guest chef Ivor O'Connor for some great Italian dishes at Discover Italy on 13th Oct.  For those who can't cook or can cook a little bit our starter programme - Basic Cookery is perfect.  It starts on 17th Oct.  Learn something sophisticated and original at Introduction to Thai French Cookery with our Head Tutor Grainne Wall on 20th Oct.  And finally get cooking you men! and have a fun night out at Cooking for Blokes on 25th Oct.

Pictures of Cooks Academy's new Hands On Workshop in action have been hitting the airwaves.  Here's a taster for you.  We're delighted with the fantastic SieMatic finish and sophisticated Siemens appliances.  The new workshop is used for the Professional Course, Hands On Lessons and Corporate Groups and can take up to 18 people at a time for tuition.  If you're here for a demonstration and would like to see the new workshop please just ask.

'If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. '
J. R. R. Tolkien 1892 - 1973

In between writing books, appearing on the TV and teaching in London, Ursula Ferrigno will be visiting Cooks Academy for a day on Friday 24th November.  This time Ursula will be presiding over two hands on master classes in the new workshop. One in the morning and one in the afternoon.  She'll be showing you some great Italian treats for Winter.  If you've been to one of Ursula's cookery lessons before at Cooks Academy you'll know that her bubbly enthusiasm is infectious and her expertise unrivalled.  For more details click through to our courses page and scroll down to November.

Get out into the hedgerows and pick some Blackberries this month.  You simply can't beat wild Blackberries and this year has yielded a particularly good crop.  We know because we've been picking them.  Blackberries are rich in antioxidants and they help neutralize toxins in your body.

Serves 4

300g/12 oz blackberries
300ml/10fl oz whipping cream
3 tblspoons of icing sugar

Method

1.    Wash and pick over blackberries, then mash up slightly and sprinkle with 1 tblsp of the icing sugar.
2.    Thickly whip the cream with the remaining 2 tblsps of sugar.
3.    Fold in the blackberries taking care to leave streaks of fruit.
4.    Spoon into glasses, scatter a couple of unmashed berries on top and enjoy.

You can serve with dipping biscuits such as lady’s fingers or brandy snaps on the side. 

September Food Trivia Winner - Congratulations to Tom Fitzpatrick one of many who correctly answered blood as giving black pudding its colour.

Enter October's Food Trivia Quiz to win a Free Demonstration Class at Cooks Academy by answering the following question:  What alcohol is often used in making Trifle? Enter Competition

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