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Cookery courses

the Olive tree cookery school
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A choice of one-day speciality courses

The Olive Tree Cookery School offer a wide variety of cookery courses across various skill levels. There are over 15 courses to choose from so you will be sure to find a course that suits your needs.
​
Whether you are looking to make a career in cooking or just developing your culinary skills for the home, there really is something for everyone.

​On all of our cookery courses any food that you don't eat for lunch or that you cook after lunch, you can take home with you to enjoy with your family or friends.
​
These courses are for a maximum of 6 students and run from 9.30am to 2pm (unless stated otherwise), with lunch. Prices given are per person. We also offer evening classes !

If you wish to book more than one space, please contact us to check availability.
Looking for the perfect gift?
Then why not buy that special person a cookery experience they'll never forget.
We have a range of courses to choose from, and with prices from just £80, this would make the perfect gift for any budding chef. All you need to do is pick the course and purchase the voucher for the amount of the course. Please let us know which course you have chosen.
Please contact Giuseppe via email if the amount of the voucher you’d like to purchase is not listed and he will organise that for you.
£50 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£80 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£90 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£130 Gift Voucher

via email | via post (additional £5)

£135 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£145 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)
Mad about Mushrooms
Mad about Mushrooms
18th October 2025 - 9.30am - 3pm - £130pp 1 place left​
Weather and seasonal conditions permitting, students will spend the morning on the foray led by Giuseppe. Back to the kitchen, Giuseppe will demonstrate how to clean, prepare and conserve various mushrooms, before taking students through a menu suitable for the most passionate mushroom eater.
Sample menu:
Sauteed Wild Mushrooms, Parma Ham and Parmesan Shavings Crostini • Wild Mushrooms Risotto • Venison Loin with Porcini Sauce and Polenta  
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Seafood
 Seafood
5th July 2025 - 9.30am - 3pm - £145pp​ - Fully booked
17th July 2025 - 9.30am - 3pm - £155pp
4th October 2025  - 9.30am - 3pm - £155pp​
A day spent preparing, filleting and cooking fresh fish; shellfish and crustaceans; preparation and recipes for local crab and lobster, scallops, sea bass, clams and mussels.
Sample menu:
Crab Crostini with Cherry Tomato and Avocado • Lobster & Asparagus Risotto • Sea Bass in a Salt Crust​
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Cooking with Game
Cooking with Game
Date to be confirmed
With the shooting season under way, it's time to take a fresh look at what to do with all the wonderful local game.
Sample menu:
Pheasant and Wild Mushrooms Ragu with Home Made Pappardelle • Venison Loin Wrapped in Sage and Pancetta with Marsala Sauce • ​Pan Fried Partridge Breast with Beetroot and Toasted Walnut Salad​
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Pasta, Pizza & Italian Breads
Pasta, Pizza & Italian Breads
28th June 2025 - 9.30am - 2pm - £130pp
19th July 2025 - 9.30am - 2pm - £130pp
9th August
 2025 - 9.30am - 2pm - £130pp
This course will need some serious muscle with plenty of pasta, pizza and bread dough to be kneaded!
Sample menu:
Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella, Parma Ham & Rocket • Foccacia with Rosemary & Sea Salt • Black Olive Grissini • Wild Garlic Parpadelle with Aubergine, Tomato & Burrata Sauce
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Coastal Foraging and Cookery
Coastal Foraging and Cookery
25th April 2026 - 9.30am - 3pm - £135pp
Spend the morning foraging the local coastline for sea vegetables and edible flowers before returning to the cookery school to create a fresh, seasonal, flavour packed lunch with your foraged treasure and other local produce. Maximum 6 people.
Sample menu:
Grilled Sea Bass with Sea Beet, Samphire and Black Mustard Butter • Meadow Sweet Infused Panna Cotta
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Sicilian Cooking
 Sicilian Cooking
12th of July 2025 - 9.30am - 2pm - £130pp
13th Sept 2025 - 9.30am - 2pm - £130pp
Learn to cook (and eat) like Montalbano! 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)
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Moroccan Cookery
Moroccan Cookery
7th February 2026 - 9.30am - 2pm - £130pp
Enjoy the intense, fresh flavours of the Middle-East and learn about slow-cooking with a tagine.
Sample menu: Preserved Lemon • Sardines stuffed with Sultanas & Pinenuts • Lamb, Almond and Olives Tagine • Spiced Cous Cous with Peppers & Aubergines and Flat Bread
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Thai Cookery
Thai Cookery
​21st June 2025 - 9.30am- 2pm - £130pp 
14th Feb 2026 - 9.30am- 2pm - £130pp 
​Learn the subtleties of this delicate cuisine, using fresh herbs and spices to create a variety of authentic dishes.
Sample menu:
Spring Rolls • Thai Green Chicken Curry with Chilli, Lemon Grass and Lime • Jasmine Rice • Pad Thai with Prawns and Crispy Tofu
​​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Indian Cooking
Indian Cooking
21st  Feb 2026 - 9.30am - 2pm - £130pp
Pestle and mortar at the ready, spend a day in the kitchen roasting and blending your own spices to create Indian dishes with a wonderful depth of flavour.
Sample menu:
Garam Masala • Lamb Curry • Spiced Chick Peas • Spinach & Potato Saag Aloo • Naan Bread • Prawn Curry • Aubergine Bartha
​​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Lebanese Cookery
Lebanese Cookery 
6th September 2025 - 9.30am - 2pm - £130pp Fully booked
25th October 2025 - 9.30am - 2pm - £130pp
Explore the exciting flavours of the Middle East, with an array of spices and fresh ingredients you will be transported to another world.
Sample menu:
Baharat Spice Mix • ​Za’atar Man’ouch • Chicken Za’atar with Tahini Sauce •
Sauteed New Potatoes with Cumin, Chilli and Coriander • Baalbek Sfiha  •  Ma’amoul
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
New course Coming Soon
BOOK HERE
Japanese Cookery
Japanese Cookery
11th October 2025 - 9.30am - 2pm - £130pp
Enjoy a day of Asian flavours and textures with an array of delicious classic Japanese dishes.
Sample menu:
Shichimi Togarashi 7 Spice Blend • Gyoza •  Sushi and Sashimi • Prawns in Tempura with Sweet Chilli Sauce • Tonkatsu
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Pizza, Calzoni and Prosecco
EVENING - Pizza and Calzoni 
​3rd July 2025 - 6pm - 9.30pm - £80pp

An evening preparing and cooking pizza and calzoni with Ooni outdoor oven.
Sample menu:
Pizza with Artichokes, Smoked Salmon and Mascarpone • Pizza with Parma Ham, Dolcelatte and Rocket • Calzone filled with Ham, Mushrooms, Spinach and Camembert
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Italian Cookery
EVENING - Italian Cookery
10th Sep 2025 - 6pm - 9.30pm - £90pp
Enjoy an evening cooking some Italian classics.
Sample menu:
Fresh tagliatelle with basil and walnut pesto • Chicken parcel with lemon mascarpone and wrapped in pancetta • ​Nectarines and almond tart with orange and ricotta cream
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Basic Cooking Skill for Beginners
EVENING - Basic Cooking Skill for Beginners 
4 Evening courses split over 4 weeks
7th May, 14th May, 4th June and 11th June 2025
6pm until 9.30pm £320pp (for all 4 sessions)

The course is an introduction into essential kitchen skills from preparation through to presentation. It includes interpreting recipes, how to handle the knives, food hygiene,
preparation and cooking technique covering fish, meat and vegetables.
Sample menu:
Pasta with Mushrooms, Pancetta & Cream
Baked Salmon with Stir Fried Rice
Grilled Chicken with Sauteed New Potatoes and Broccoli
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Bocconcini
EVENING - Bocconcini
18th of June 2025 - 6pm- 9.30pm £90pp
Mini bites, perfect for a nibble with a glass of prosecco or as a dinner.
Sample menu:
Broad Beans and Pecorino Crostini
Asparagus and Artichoke Frittatine
Polpette di Cavolfiore
Courgette Flower in Pastella
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Just Dessert
EVENING - Just Dessert
30th April 2025 - 6pm - 9.30pm - £80pp
An introduction to some principles of baking.
Sample menu:
Lemon Cream Profiteroles • Chocolate Pudding • Tiramisu • Fig & Almond Tart​
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
Vegetarian Sicilian Cookery
EVENING - Vegetarian Sicilian Cookery
12th March 2025 - 6pm - 9.30pm - £90pp
Spend an evening preparing deliciously simple Sicilian vegetarian food with a wonderful depth in flavour.
Sample menu:
Aubergine Caponata • Mushrooms, Spinach and Mozzarella Arancini • Peperonata
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
​New course Coming Soon
BOOK HERE
New course Coming Soon
BOOK HERE
​Vegetarian Indian Cookery
EVENING - Vegetarian Indian Cookery
14th October 2025 - 6pm - 9.30pm - £90pp
Spend an evening in the kitchen roasting and blending your own spices to create vegetarian Indian dishes with a wonderful depth of flavour.
Sample menu:
Garam Masala • Butternut Squash and Aubergine Curry • Spiced Chick Peas and Lentil Dahl • Onion and Red Pepper Bhaji  
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
MORNING - Coastal Foraging for beginners​
MORNING - Coastal Foraging for beginners
20th May 2025 - 10am-12.00pm £50pp

A two hour guided walk foraging alongside the local coastline for sea vegetables and edible flowers.
This is a walk alongside the Dorset coastline where Giuseppe will guide you on how to start to forage safely and responsibly.
We will not collect any plant during the walk, only identify and discuss various culinary uses. Please bring notebook and camera.
​​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
MORNING - Mushrooms Foraging for beginners
MORNING - Mushrooms Foraging for beginners
15th October 2025 - 10am-12.00pm £50pp

 
A two hour guided walk foraging in the woodlands.
This is a walk in the woods where Giuseppe will guide you on how to start to forage safely and responsibly.
We will not collect any mushrooms during the walk, only identify and discuss various culinary uses. Please bring notebook and camera.​
​If you wish to book, please check availability with Giuseppe before you purchase a class.
BOOK HERE
​Chef's Table
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Chef's Table - £140pp
(minimum 4, maximum 6)
Group bookings for an evening at the cookery school with Giuseppe.
If it's good food you're seriously interested in then book in for a delicious meal prepared in front of you and your guests.
Call for available dates and to book an evening.
Drinks are also included.

Looking for the perfect gift?

Then why not buy that special person a cookery experience they'll never forget.
We have a range of courses to choose from, and with prices from just £80, this would make the perfect gift for any budding chef. All you need to do is pick the course and purchase the voucher for the amount of the course. Please let us know which course you have chosen.
Please contact Giuseppe via email if the amount of the voucher you’d like to purchase is not listed and he will organise that for you.
£50 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£80 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£90 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£130 Gift Voucher

via email | via post (additional £5)

£135 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)

£145 Gift Voucher
via email | via post (additional £5)
Picture
If you would like to discuss an alternative date to those published, please call us on 01929 477260.
Private Group Bookings:
Please call to arrange dates & course content if you would like a day just for you & some friends. Minimum 4, maximum 6 people.
For availability contact us on 01929 477260
Payment in full via PayPal is required to secure bookings - you don't need a PayPal account.
​We reserve the right to cancel any course that has less than 50% occupancy, however, in the event that we are unable to provide an alternative date or course then a full refund will be issued.
If you need to cancel a lesson booking, you will need to email or phone to 01929 477260. You must do this at least 2 days before your lesson to cancel. Both methods of cancellation must be made at least 2 days before your lesson. We are sorry that we cannot refund or re-book any cancellations made online or by phone after this time.

​If you would like to hear more from us, then please sign up to our newsletter on the Contact page.

Our Reviews

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We all really enjoyed our Lebanese course yesterday - the results were delicious and we had a great meal with our husbands last night!  Thank you so much for making it such a success - I shall certainly be doing some of your recipes again!

Susie

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I had the most amazing experience at the Olive Tree Cookery School and learnt so much in just one days Sea Food Class.
Even how to squeeze the very last bit of lobster meat from the smallest legs.
Thanks for a great day out!!!

​Alan Steward

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​A truly unique evening at The Olive Tree Cookery School Chef's Table last night.
​Amazing food and wine and learnt things too! Thank you Giuseppe

Tanya Lovell

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Just writing to thank you on behalf of us all for a wonderful eve yesterday. We all so enjoyed the cooking, your tips and finally the meal and wine.
All of us went home feeling full to the point of bursting!

Sue

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Thank you for such a fun day on Saturday 29th April.
​We all loved the curry course - the curries were all absolutely delicious.
Best wishes

​Finella

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Just a note to thank you for our cookery course last week.  We all thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to having another go at the recipes!
 
I’ve told lots of friends about what we did and you may be getting a few more bookings! 🤞
 
Once again, thanks for a lovely day.

​Diana

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Thank you for a fantastic day of Italian bread making.
I learned a lot and have replicated some of the breads that I made on the day.

Steve Tomlinson

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​We all really enjoyed our Lebanese course yesterday - the results were delicious and we had a great meal with our husbands last night!  Thank you so much for making it such a success - I shall certainly be doing some of your recipes again!  

​Susie

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I just wanted to thank you very much for the class last night.
It was informative, enjoyable and the food produced under your guidance was excellent.
Thanks again.

​Andy

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The Olive Tree Cookery School
The Olive Tree Cookery School​
​The Old Barn
Cats Eye Cottage
Norden
Corfe Castle
Dorset
BH20 5DT
​t: 01929 477260
email
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