Hands On Cookery School

Hands On Cookery School Real food for real life: Bringing the joy of cooking to everyone, from beginners to confident home cooks. Friendly, hands-on classes tailored to you.

Private, home ed, independent living and low-carb courses to build confidence

✨ November’s been packed!From mini bakers to private course guests and Fit for Life evenings. I’ve loved every minute an...
26/11/2025

✨ November’s been packed!

From mini bakers to private course guests and Fit for Life evenings. I’ve loved every minute and can’t wait to see what December brings.

(Spoiler: there may be festive baking involved! 🎄)

Thanks to everyone who’s joined me this month, you make Hands On what it is 💕

It’s that time of year when I just want a big bowl of something warming. Nothing fancy, just real food that makes you f...
24/11/2025

It’s that time of year when I just want a big bowl of something warming. Nothing fancy, just real food that makes you feel good.
Here’s one of my go-tos when it’s cold outside:

💚 Roasted Veg & Lentil Bowl

Toss chopped carrots, parsnips, red onion & peppers in a splash of oil and roast till golden.
Stir in a tin of green lentils and a handful of spinach right at the end.
Drizzle with a bit of lemon juice and a spoon of pesto (or whatever you’ve got!).

Cheap, cheerful, and hits the spot every time!!

If you try it, tag me — I’d love to see your version! 🥰

🍽️ Why I love what I doEvery week, I get to see people surprise themselves...a teenager flipping their first omelette, a...
21/11/2025

🍽️ Why I love what I do

Every week, I get to see people surprise themselves...a teenager flipping their first omelette, a dad learning to bake bread, or someone who thought they “couldn’t cook” making a full meal from scratch.

That little spark of “I did that!” is everything.

Hands On has always been about more than recipes, it’s about confidence, creativity, and connection (and a few giggles along the way 😄).

So here’s your gentle reminder this week:
If your kitchen’s a bit messy and dinner’s not picture-perfect, you’re doing just fine! ❤️

🌱 Food confidence starts young (and grows with practice)I’ve seen it time and again, whether it’s young people in our Ho...
18/11/2025

🌱 Food confidence starts young (and grows with practice)

I’ve seen it time and again, whether it’s young people in our Home Ed sessions or adults rediscovering their spark in the kitchen, the key is confidence, not perfection.

Real food, real life, real learning, that’s what Hands On is all about! 💛

Hi everyone First of all, let me say how truly honoured I was to be nominated and got through as a finalist. To be nomin...
17/11/2025

Hi everyone First of all, let me say how truly honoured I was to be nominated and got through as a finalist. To be nominated was humbling.
Community has always been at the heart of everything we do — whether it’s sharing food, creating spaces for connection, or simply being present and willing to roll our sleeves up when it’s needed.
I believe that hospitality is about far more than just service. It’s about giving people a place to feel seen, heard, and valued and I hope this is how Simon and I make you all feel. We didn’t come away with an award, but we did win a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the raffle. What a fabulous way to spend a Friday evening getting dressed up and join over 130 people at Sandy Park. Which was absolutely beautiful! We will try next year! Thanks for all the love!🥰

14/11/2025

Thanks to the Torridge Lifestyle program I’m nominated for an award for contribution to community. All dressed up going out and sitting at the table enjoying the catering of somebody else! What a treat. 🤔what have I ordered to eat?

Couldn’t resist sharing this one !“Thank you Donna and Simon for another interesting and motivating evening… all the tho...
13/11/2025

Couldn’t resist sharing this one !

“Thank you Donna and Simon for another interesting and motivating evening… all the thought and preparation you both put in really shows! 😘”

That sort of message makes me do a little happy dance in the kitchen 💃

Honestly, our Fit for Life evenings are the highlight of my month... good food, lovely people, and lots of laughter.

We’re back again soon at The Old Foundry Venue (6:30–8:00 pm), everyone’s welcome, so if you fancy joining in, read more here: https://bit.ly/47H4wvo

❤️ Favourite feedback moment last week:“I didn’t think I could make a full meal on my own, but now I do every week!”This...
10/11/2025

❤️ Favourite feedback moment last week:
“I didn’t think I could make a full meal on my own, but now I do every week!”

This was from a lovely guest who joined me for a bespoke cookery day. Seeing that confidence grow...that’s the real magic for me.

Cooking’s not about perfection; it’s about believing you can do it. 👏

Last call for our Mini Bakers’ Workshop next week! 🎉If your 6–12 year old loves getting messy in the kitchen, there’s st...
08/11/2025

Last call for our Mini Bakers’ Workshop next week! 🎉

If your 6–12 year old loves getting messy in the kitchen, there’s still time to grab one of the last spots.

They’ll be mixing, decorating, and creating their own cookie box to take home, and yes, there will be sprinkles 😄

📅 Tuesday 11 Nov, 10:00–13:30
📍 The Old School Rooms, Bideford
🎟️ Book here now: https://bit.ly/4nBG8RI

Let’s get baking! 🍪

🍳 Calling all Home Ed families!We’re getting ready to start our next Home Education Cookery Courses, and there are still...
06/11/2025

🍳 Calling all Home Ed families!

We’re getting ready to start our next Home Education Cookery Courses, and there are still a few spaces left for the upcoming blocks! 🎉

These are small, friendly sessions where young people can learn real cooking skills... from chopping safely and following recipes to tasting new foods and working as a team.

It’s structured but fun, confidence-building, and a brilliant way to add practical life skills to your Home Ed timetable.

We’ve got two different groups starting soon:
👩‍🍳 Age 7-11 – More info & booking here: https://bit.ly/4hzAG06

👨‍🍳 Age 11-15 – More info & booking here https://bit.ly/49qOOqw

If your young cook loves to get hands-on in the kitchen (or you’d like them to 😄), I’d love to welcome them along.

06/11/2025

Veggies don’t have to be boring! 🥦 A quick look at how I make mine disappear off the plate…

Every so often, someone says to me, “I wish I could just spend a day in your kitchen and learn how to cook properly.”Wel...
03/11/2025

Every so often, someone says to me, “I wish I could just spend a day in your kitchen and learn how to cook properly.”

Well… you absolutely can!

My private cookery days are totally built around you. Whether you want to master knife skills, bake gluten-free treats, or just feel more confident cooking healthy meals from scratch, we’ll spend the day side by side, cooking, chatting, and eating (the best bit 😋).

Last week, someone came in wanting to batch-cook family dinners. By lunchtime, they had five homemade meals cooling on the counter, and the proudest grin!

If that sounds like your kind of day, pop your details in this form and I’ll be in touch:
📩 https://www.handsoncookeryschool.co.uk/contact-us

Address

The Old School Rooms
Bideford
EX392BU

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+447967814919

Website

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