Autumn/Winter Courses

NEW AUTUMN/WINTER 2011/2012 TIMETABLE

ONE DAY SPECIALITY COURSES (all courses are for a maximum of 6 students and the prices given are per person)

Seafood (4 students), 9.30am-3pm, £115
The course will concentrate on fresh fish; preparation, filleting and cooking. Plus shellfish and crustaceans; preparation and recipes for local crab, lobster, scallops, cockles, clams and mussels.
Sample menu: Scallop Sashimi with Chilli, Ginger, Lime & Coriander • Lobster & Radicchio Risotto • Oven Baked Sea Bass Stuffed with Fresh Herbs & Lemon in a Salt Crust
8 November 2011, 11 February, 18 February, 21 February, 6 March 2012

Cooking with Game, 9.30am-3pm, £110
With the shooting season on its way, it's time to take a fresh look at what to do with all the wonderful local game.
Sample menu: Loin of Venison Wrapped in Bay Leaves & Pancetta • Pheasant & Chesnut Tortellini • Pigeon Breast with a Walnut & Beetroot Salad
26 November 2011, 15 January 2012


An Italian Christmas, £105, 9.30am-3pm
Students will cover all the essentials for a truly traditional Italian Christmas, from a short cut recipe for panettone to the ultimate Italian festive dish of chicken broth with fresh tagliolini.
Sample menu: Quick Panettone • Cantucci • Roasted Porchetta with Caramelised Fig • Chicken Broth with Fresh Tagliolini
19 November, 9 December, 10 December 2011


Pizza & Italian Breads, 9.30am-3pm, £100
This course will need some serious muscle with plenty of pizza and bread dough to be kneaded!
Sample menu: Pizza with Roasted Butternut Squash & Prawns • Foccacia with Rosemary & Sea Salt  • Black Olive Grissini • White Pizza with Artichoke Hearts & Creme Fraiche
3 March 2012


Fresh Pasta, 9.30am-3pm, £100
Whether you've got a pasta machine gathering dust in the cupboard or have always wanted to produce beautiful silky tagliatelle, you will leave this course confident of your pasta making skills.
Sample menu: Ricotta & Pumpkin Ravioli with a Sage Butter • Parpadelle with a Traditional Ragu • Farfalle with Smoked Salmon & Mascarpone
13 October 2011, 17 March 2012


Mad About Mushrooms, 9.30am-4pm, £110
If, like Giuseppe, you are passionate about fungi, this is the course for you. Weather and seasonal conditions permitting, students will spend the morning on a mushroom foray led by local expert Mark Pike of the Dorset Fungus Group (www.dorsetfungusgroup.com). He will assist students with identification and techniques for collecting mushrooms. Back in the kitchen, Giuseppe will demonstrate how to clean, prepare and conserve various mushrooms. After lunch, Giuseppe will take the students through a menu suitable for the most passionate mushroom eater.
Sample menu: Crostini of Sautéed Wild Mushrooms • Wild Mushroom Risotto • Fresh Egg Pappardelle with a Wild Mushroom Sauce • Loin of Purbeck Venison with Polenta and Wild Mushrooms
11 & 15 October
We may publish 'pop-up' courses if conditions are particularly good earlier or later in the season.


Sicilian Cooking, 9.30am-3pm, £105
Enjoy a day of cooking Sicilian style. Join Giuseppe in creating dishes taught to him by his mother and grandmother, exploring the delicate flavours and delicious ingredients of this beautiful mediterranean island.
Sample menu: Arancini (Sicilian rice balls) • Spaghetti con le Sarde • Granita al Limone • Cannoli Siciliani (pastries filled with sweet ricotta)
5 October 2011, 4 February, 16 March, 28 April 2012


Dinner Party, 9.30am-3pm, £110
Students will plan, prepare and successfully present a five course menu. with canapés, first course, sorbets, main course and dessert.
Sample menu: Smoked Salmon & Fromage Blanc Blini • Artichoke Heart with Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Soft Poached Egg & Hollandaise Sauce • Roasted Duck Breast with Butternut Squash & Thyme • Mandarin Cream Profiteroles • Chocolate Truffles
25 November 2011, 10 January, 10 March 2012

Italian Classics, 9.30am-3pm, £105

Giuseppe & the students will revisit some all time classic Italian recipes. So, if you're looking to perfect your lasagne or polish up on your tiramisu, this is the course for you.

Sample menu: • Lasagne • Panzanella • 'Risi e Bisi' Risotto • Osso Buco alla Milanese • Tiramisu

17 January 2012

Venison Butchery & Cookery, 9.30am-3pm, £110

Local venison is superb, if you are looking for guidance with joiting, preparing and cooking with venison, this is the day for you!
Sample menu: Venison Stew with Parsnip & Carrot • Loin of Venison wrapped in Sage & Pancetta • Venison & Juniper berry Sausages
7 January 2012


Cup Cake Workshop with Lisa Notley, 10am-3.30pm, £80
Lisa will show you sugarcraft techniques to create beautiful rosebuds, twinkly stars, butterflies and more. Also, handy tips on icing. 
14 November 2011


Chocolate Workshop with Lisa Notley, 10am-3.30pm, £95
Bake your own chocolate cake before learning the techniques for creating chocolate ruffles & fans with which to decorate it. Delicious lunch by Giuseppe and chocolate truffles to finish off!
17 November 2011


Christmas Cake Decorating with Lisa Notley, 10am-3.30pm, £95
Enjoy a day with this expert cake maker/decorator to produce a beautiful celebration cake for the centre of your Christmas table. Learn to cover your cake with marzipan & the smoothest coat of icing before applying your very own sugarcraft decorations, whether it be delicate glittered snowflakes or a charming little Father Christmas figurine. To see more of Lisa's creations click on www.cakesbylisanotley.co.uk
5 December 2011


SHORT COURSES @ THE OLIVE TREE

Canapes & Petit Fours £65
Planning a Christmas drinks party? join Giuseppe for some expert tips on delicious nibbles, sweet and savoury.
Sample menu: Smoked Salmon Blini with Creme Fraiche • Roasted Pepper & Buffalo Mozzarella Parcels • Mini Bitter Chocolate Tarts
3 November

Evening Baking Course, 6pm-8.30pm, £45
An introduction to some principles of baking.
Sample menu: Lemon Tart • Chocolate Pudding • Cantucci • Focaccia • Olive & Rosemary Rolls
20 September, 10 November 2011, 15 March 2012


Quick Pasta Sauces, 6pm-8.30pm, £35
Are you looking for some fresh inspiration? Here are some quick and delicious ideas.
Sample menu: Classic Puttanesca • Carbonara • Basil & walnut Pesto • Crudaiola • Wild Mushrooms & Cream
15 November 2011, 12 January, 7 March 2012

Soup & Bread Course, 6pm-8.30pm, £35
This hearty course combines homemade soups with fresh bread making.
Sample menu: Roasted Pumpkin Soup served with Thyme Bread Rolls • Cream of Celeriac & Truffle Oil Soup • Parsnip & Apple Soup with Rosemary Focaccine
6 October, 14 December 2011, 26 January 2012, 9 February 2012


FOUR WEEK EVENING COURSES Mondays 6.30pm - 8.30pm

From Zero to Hero, £180 for four sessions
Designed for men who would love to venture into the kitchen but have yet to refine their culinary skills! Some knowledge of cooking useful but not essential, the pace of the course will be set according to the level and ability of the students involved. Each evening the students will prepare a main course and dessert for two, which they will then take home for supper.
Sample menu:
Roasted Chicken Roulade with Wild Mushrooms, Parma Ham & Camembert • Chocolate Fondant with Crème Fraîche
Every Monday evening, 6.30-8.30pm, commencing
7 November through to 28 November 2011
16 January through to 6 February 2012


Chef's Table £75 per person (minimum 4, maximum 6)