Waitrose is delighted to be involved with The Culinary Cottage, particularly as we both share a real passion for quality food. Penny’s calm approach to preparing excellent meals is an inspiration to all who cook with her.

Waitrose looks forward to a long and happy relationship with Penny and The Culinary Cottage.

Waitrose ABERGAVENNY

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

I have known Penny Lewis for over 10 years. During this time Penny has cooked for parties of corporate guests here at Catton many times, and my family have attended her cookery courses at the Culinary Cottage.

Penny is a top-class chef in her own right. She has creative ideas and produces delicious and attractively presented dishes. Our discerning clients and guests never fail to remark on the delicious taste of Penny’s food. Penny is also efficient, well-organised and incredibly hard-working, always with that delightful smile!

Everybody enjoys and appreciates the courses at the Culinary Cottage. There is an interesting variety of choice and the welcome is always warm.    Penny is a highly practical person and, having gauged the standard of her students, teaches at an appropriate level so that everybody leaves with newly acquired knowledge and confidence. She is so organised that even the most nervous student finds themselves in a conducive environment for learning the joys of creative cookery.

The Culinary Cottage will continue to thrive under Penny’s guardianship. She never fails to look forward, and to be inventive and intuitive about her range of courses and dishes.

Katie Neilson

I did the Dinner Parties made Stressless course at the Culinary Cottage in September 2011.  The course contained lots of hands on cooking and was both fun and informative.  Penny is a great teacher who takes you through all the techniques calmly and clearly and is on hand to put you back on the right path if you do go wrong.  We cooked loads of delicious dishes and I came out with a raft of new recipes which I've been cooking for my appreciative friends and family since I got home.

I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Penny and the Culinary Cottage.

Tara Stimpson

I first was introduced to Penny's school through a Christmas present voucher from my husband ( I am still not sure if he was sufficiently sensitive to understand that cooking has always been my unrequited passion or if it was a commentary on my efforts to date ...). I so enjoyed this day that I subsequently returned 10 times, and have introduced many of my friends to this wonderful experience.

Penny does not merely teach us cooking skills, she empowers us to be able to tackle what we previously would have thought to be beyond our capabilities and ensures that we enjoy ourselves along the way.  Her cooking days are very busy, informal and relaxed, and we all end up eating way too many calories! Penny's recipes are simply the best, offering new twists on traditional classics, which are fun, easy to make (when you know how!) and most importantly absolutely delicious - try her chilli jam. I cannot recommend this cookery school highly enough.

Gwyneth Steddy