15Jul
Why Ultra‑Processed Foods (UPFs) are a major issue—and what you can do about it.
Let customers speak for us
Autumn Friday Fun
This short course covered a lot of ground in a short space of the time and delivered all its promises. Colin is a hugely skilled and talented presenter who could definitely talk and cook at the same time and was flexible enough to answer questions which did not strictly follow the programme. The whole experience was entertaining and gave me back some joy in cooking and eating great food. I will definitely be asking my family for Ground Up vouchers for my birthday.
Sarah Algar
Spotlight on: Wild Berries
Incredible. Dont think just book it. Colin was great and day was WONDERFUL. The food that we prepared was also incredible. Will definitley do more courses here.
Brill!
Had a great and informative day!
Vickie
Wild Food Foraging & Cookery
This has to be the best culinary experience I have ever been on. Such incredible knowledge from Colin. Taken away so much in such a shirt amount of time. Anyone who comes here will enjoy an amazing day
Adam Summers
Ground Up Cookery School
A wonderful Friday afternoon
The evening was thoroughly enjoyable! We learnt so much about nettles and the dishes prepared were surprising and delicious. I can completely recommend the course.
Beryl Kotze
Spotlight on: Nettles
Great day out
What a great course well run and matt was very knowledgeable and easy to interact with, we would be interested in a fish course if you ever ran one
Gary Tuckett
Pasta Workshop
Great time
Pace was was perfect for all attendees, was informative and we made some lovely food!
Sharing the fruits of our labour at the end of the session was a great way to end the morning
Would certainly recommend
Annette
Pasta Workshop
My husband and I did the pasta workshop a few months ago and really enjoyed it. Especially since we got to enjoy a very tasty lunch! We learnt some great tips (although there was almost a marital dispute as we rolled out the pasta!) and have enjoyed using some of the recipes at home. The teacher led the class really well and the facilities at Ground Up cookery school are fantastic! I'd definitely recommend this course - it's great fun and excellent value for money!
Pip Low
Ground Up Cookery School
Great Day!
Really enjoyed my day learning about fermentation. I will definitely book another course soon.
Brilliant informative day course with plenty of hands on and your own saurkraut to take home! A great learning experience matched with Colin’s culinary expertise, made for a thoroughly enjoyable day. Thank you!
Annemarie Morris
Ground Up Cookery School
I have attended 4 courses at ground up cookery’s new location since January. A great venue and amazing courses. You learn, and get to taste so much!! Colin is very knowledgeable and I am looking forward to attending more courses in the future and thoroughly recommend them for anyone with an interest in food, foraging or improving their kitchen skills.
Suzie Mills
Ground Up Cookery School
Excellent
Inspirational, will start looking for elderflowers and other edible plants to use in dishes
A great day!
This day really exceeded our expectations. Colin was a great host - knowledgable and entertaining - and we learned so much on the walk, including that many of the plants we had considered as weeds in our gardens were in fact edible! We were then able to put this into practice in the practical cookery session, in which we received just the right amount of guidance to allow us to experiment but not go too far astray. The day then was then rounded off beautifully by enjoying a glass of wine and the fruits of our labours!
All really interesting and stimulating, and highly recommended.
Kate Griffiths
Wild Food Foraging & Cookery
Great Course!
This was a really well run course, Colin was very knowledgeable and took the time to pass on this knowledge to us all walking us through the beautiful local countryside explaining the various do's and don'ts.
It was great to then spend the time turning the ingredients into food and lovely to sit and eat it together with all the other participants of the course.
The school is very well equipped, tastefully decorated and the contents of Colin's 'larder' provide an inspiration as to where your foraging journey might take you!
Thoroughly Recommended!
Ben Richardson
Wild Food Foraging & Cookery
Brilliant 🤩🏆
Well, what an experience we had and Colin was such a hospitable host along with his knowledge and easy personable welcoming manner all the way through our fabulous alternative day. Also a big thank you to Tasha from booking a big surprise for my hubby Paul on the quiet 🤫 and assistance during the cooking process afternoon, along with your amazing polite son that cleared up after us all 👏🏻😊 Just also would like to thank Colin for the care and attention with his knowledge of Paul's knee condition walking for any assistance if required. Thank you so much and hopefully we will see you again ☺️
Paul and Sue Stanton-Harris
Wild Food Foraging & Cookery
COMING UP
£60.00
Autumn Baking Workshop
This fun workshop is open to all ages and abilities. Join us for some delightful Autumnal baking, making the most of seasonal ingredients. Recipes will include: A proper (and particularly delicious)...
£70.00
Introduction to Fermented Food and Drinks
Are you ready to jump into the world of fermentation? Join Colin Wheeler-James, an industry leader in "all things fermentation", at Ground Up Cookery School in Chudleigh (TQ13 0AA) for a...
£35.00
Spotlight on: Wild Berries
One of a series of foraging events to help you discover the benefits of local, sustainable ingredients Autumn hedgerows are bursting with colour and flavour! Join us as we shine a...
£35.00
Spotlight on: Wild Seeds
One of a series of foraging events to help you discover the benefits of local, sustainable ingredients The UK’s hedgerows and woodland floors are full of hidden culinary treasures—if you know...
Advanced Food Preservation Techniques
Are you passionate about reducing food waste, saving money, and adding new flavours and techniques to your culinary repertoire? Following the success of our events with professional chefs, we are thrilled...
£170.00
Wild Food Foraging & Cookery
Forage, Cook, Feast: A Seasonal Adventure at Ground Up Cookery School Discover the art of creating delicious meals using foraged, seasonal, and local ingredients in the heart of the stunning Devon...
Rum - Gin - Vodka
Heath & Hedge Infused Spirits
About Colin
Having grown up in a fishing and farming community on the Isle of Coll in the Inner Hebrides, Colin has always been surrounded by the finest seasonal ingredients and driven by the necessity to make the most of them. Over 30 years as a professional chef has seen Colin work in a variety of different roles from charter yachts and boutique hotels to leading catering companies this has given him the opportunity to showcase his skills to the most discerning of guests.
About Colin
Having grown up in a fishing and farming community on the Isle of Coll in the Inner Hebrides, Colin has always been surrounded by the finest seasonal ingredients and driven by the necessity to make the most of them. Over 30 years as a professional chef has seen Colin work in a variety of different roles from charter yachts and boutique hotels to leading catering companies this has given him the opportunity to showcase his skills to the most discerning of guests.
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OUR BLOG
26Jun
A summary of Essential Cuisine's Chef Team training day at Ground Up Cookery School. They learned all about foraging, fermentation and reducing waste in menu design from industry leader; Colin Wheeler-James.
17Jun
Elderflower is a symbol of what’s possible when you begin to see the wild edges of your world differently.
02Apr
Our top 5 recommended fermentation books,
13Feb
Food is not just nourishment; it’s an art form, a way to connect with others, and a profession that...
31Aug
Fermentation, a process that has been an integral part of human culture and cuisine for thousands of years, is...
11Jun
What started as a wine-fueled idea at a dinner party and a “nothing to lose” approach to starting a...
21Nov
Mexican Gastronomy sponsored by Conexoo
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Jestic Food Service Solutions, DIY Kitchens, Sparkworld, Steelite, AEG
Let customers speak for us
Autumn Friday Fun
This short course covered a lot of ground in a short space of the time and delivered all its promises. Colin is a hugely skilled and talented presenter who could definitely talk and cook at the same time and was flexible enough to answer questions which did not strictly follow the programme. The whole experience was entertaining and gave me back some joy in cooking and eating great food. I will definitely be asking my family for Ground Up vouchers for my birthday.
Sarah Algar
Spotlight on: Wild Berries
Incredible. Dont think just book it. Colin was great and day was WONDERFUL. The food that we prepared was also incredible. Will definitley do more courses here.
Brill!
Had a great and informative day!
Vickie
Wild Food Foraging & Cookery
This has to be the best culinary experience I have ever been on. Such incredible knowledge from Colin. Taken away so much in such a shirt amount of time. Anyone who comes here will enjoy an amazing day
Adam Summers
Ground Up Cookery School
A wonderful Friday afternoon
The evening was thoroughly enjoyable! We learnt so much about nettles and the dishes prepared were surprising and delicious. I can completely recommend the course.
Beryl Kotze
Spotlight on: Nettles
Great day out
What a great course well run and matt was very knowledgeable and easy to interact with, we would be interested in a fish course if you ever ran one
Gary Tuckett
Pasta Workshop
Great time
Pace was was perfect for all attendees, was informative and we made some lovely food!
Sharing the fruits of our labour at the end of the session was a great way to end the morning
Would certainly recommend
Annette
Pasta Workshop
My husband and I did the pasta workshop a few months ago and really enjoyed it. Especially since we got to enjoy a very tasty lunch! We learnt some great tips (although there was almost a marital dispute as we rolled out the pasta!) and have enjoyed using some of the recipes at home. The teacher led the class really well and the facilities at Ground Up cookery school are fantastic! I'd definitely recommend this course - it's great fun and excellent value for money!
Pip Low
Ground Up Cookery School
Great Day!
Really enjoyed my day learning about fermentation. I will definitely book another course soon.
Brilliant informative day course with plenty of hands on and your own saurkraut to take home! A great learning experience matched with Colin’s culinary expertise, made for a thoroughly enjoyable day. Thank you!
Annemarie Morris
Ground Up Cookery School
I have attended 4 courses at ground up cookery’s new location since January. A great venue and amazing courses. You learn, and get to taste so much!! Colin is very knowledgeable and I am looking forward to attending more courses in the future and thoroughly recommend them for anyone with an interest in food, foraging or improving their kitchen skills.
Suzie Mills
Ground Up Cookery School
Excellent
Inspirational, will start looking for elderflowers and other edible plants to use in dishes
A great day!
This day really exceeded our expectations. Colin was a great host - knowledgable and entertaining - and we learned so much on the walk, including that many of the plants we had considered as weeds in our gardens were in fact edible! We were then able to put this into practice in the practical cookery session, in which we received just the right amount of guidance to allow us to experiment but not go too far astray. The day then was then rounded off beautifully by enjoying a glass of wine and the fruits of our labours!
All really interesting and stimulating, and highly recommended.
Kate Griffiths
Wild Food Foraging & Cookery
Great Course!
This was a really well run course, Colin was very knowledgeable and took the time to pass on this knowledge to us all walking us through the beautiful local countryside explaining the various do's and don'ts.
It was great to then spend the time turning the ingredients into food and lovely to sit and eat it together with all the other participants of the course.
The school is very well equipped, tastefully decorated and the contents of Colin's 'larder' provide an inspiration as to where your foraging journey might take you!
Thoroughly Recommended!
Ben Richardson
Wild Food Foraging & Cookery
Brilliant 🤩🏆
Well, what an experience we had and Colin was such a hospitable host along with his knowledge and easy personable welcoming manner all the way through our fabulous alternative day. Also a big thank you to Tasha from booking a big surprise for my hubby Paul on the quiet 🤫 and assistance during the cooking process afternoon, along with your amazing polite son that cleared up after us all 👏🏻😊 Just also would like to thank Colin for the care and attention with his knowledge of Paul's knee condition walking for any assistance if required. Thank you so much and hopefully we will see you again ☺️
Paul and Sue Stanton-Harris
Wild Food Foraging & Cookery
