Penny delivered her high professional standards to a newcomer to cooking like me,with patience,professionalism and person-ability.
She made preparing and delivery of high quality cuisine a seamless exercise transforming the rank amateur into a cook that can and does deliver very acceptable dishes to all tastes.

It is difficult to recommend her to highly as  given her role as chef to the aristocracy, she is still able to summon the humility and patience to teach those who hitherto have had little clue as how to cook semi-professionally.

Therefore i should like to recommend Penny as the all-round master chef that can and will prepare and teach high class cuisine to one and all thus bringing down any barriers to those wishing to prepare and deliver high quality food without intimidation.

Learning under Penny has been a life-changing experience for me and I would recommend her qualities without reservation or hesitation.

with thanks,

Ben Maxted

Of course, I’ll be delighted to offer something by way of a testimony but it’s a question of how to cram so much into a small space!
I guess what I’d like  to say is based upon my own much-valued measurement in business…

The only possible reason that you’d pay to go along twice is if you think you’ve had value-for-money. I’m looking forward to the 5th session!!
Simply put, 10 hours have never passed so quickly. Many things to learn every time in a really friendly and productive environment’.

Penny, I’m not suggesting you put up your prices (please don’t!) but if you consider a 90 minute football match - £50, a 3 hour music concert - £80, a I hour music lesson - £20, then it’s difficult to imagine why it’s not value for money. You buy all the ingredients, you feed me twice in the day (no mean feat!).

Oh, yes, and I’m a better cook! It’s a no-brainer.

Grant Barlow

Having come from a non-cooking orientated family, we took the unusual step of opening a restaurant. After working with some chefs, I realised that I needed to learn how to cook. After speaking to family and friends in the trade, I knew there was only one place to go, "The Culinary Cottage" in Pandy.

So I spoke to a lovely lady Penny on the phone and booked a 3 day course and a 5 day course to learn different things. What I learnt was amazing, I went from someone who couldn't really boil an egg confidently to a master cook. I was able to cook with confidence, and should the volatile chefs decide to "walk out", I could quite confidently take charge and knew exactly what I was doing. The course came complete with the recipes we had cooked so I could make these in the restaurant, one of the particular favourites is the Cheese Sauce, also the Almond Tart goes down a treat with our restaurant guests (when there is any left, I do have to force myself to stop eating and lock it away from staff).

I cannot thank and recommend the Culinary Cottage enough, we cooked, tasted, cooked, tasted and so on! It is a must for anyone who is a beginner and I would even recommend it to a master chef. Thanks Penny!!!

Regards

Jeff Smith

I was lucky enough to attend one of Penny Lewis’ five day courses in March 2012, it has changed the way I will cook for the rest of my life. What an inspiring course it was. It was not just the cooking but the very helpful handy hints and recipes.

Being there for five days I covered the whole spectrum of dishes and methods, from bread making, dinner parties, healthy nourishing meals, great cakes and wonderful desserts. Penny was able to fit in particular things I wished to try but did not have the confidence to try at home such as souffles and sauces for fish dishes.

My family where amazed and delighted when I arrived home with a wonderful selection of my dishes, they particularly appreciated the Hot Cross buns, which I went on to make many more batches before and after Easter.

I cannot praise Penny enough, she is a wonderful patient teacher, truly inspirational. This course had to be the nearest thing to a religious experience I have ever had. I left the course feeling I could cook anything!

Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Kindest Regards,

Alyson Taylor

Having attended a few famous name Cookery schools, I was intrigued to sample The Culinary Cottage which was just a few miles away from my holiday home in Abergavenny.

Well, to my delight, I learnt more in that day than I did at all the others put together!!!

Penelope's cottage cookery school is as divine as she is delightful, I can see why she is in hot demand to the rich & famous - her repertoire could not fail to impress, one that she freely shares along with all the 'tricks of the trade'. She is not too 'chefy' either, I left the class with genuinely useful recipes and skills. 

The culinary cottage is beautiful all round - literally! Beautiful place,host,surroundings & of course food! Well done Penelope for pursuing your dream and sharing your secrets!

Tania Fossey