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TIME OUT
CASE
STUDY
Orlaith Brennan (MBA 03)
Orlaith was looking to expand her
knowledge of all things culinary,
so she enrolled in Cooks
GETTING STARTED
Academy’s Knife Skills course.
She took the two-and-a-half
hour course on a week-day
Dunbrody Cookery School, Co Wexford
evening back in February, tying it
in conveniently with her busy work life. Orlaith, who is general
Dunbrody Cookery School caters for all levels, from the budding
manager of hospital services at United Drug, received a voucher
enthusiast to the experienced gourmet. All of the courses at the
for the academy as a Christmas present from her father.
school have been designed by celebrity master chef Kevin Dundon.
Knife Skills aims to teach all the tricks of the trade, ie how to
On offer are a variety of one-day courses costing €165, as well as the chop, slice, dice and peel as well as a professional. Under the
two-day Dinner Parties for Six course, which costs €315. A four- watchful eye of an expert chef, Orlaith and about 12 other eager
night course is also available at €315 per person and runs from
learners were taken through the main types of knives together
6-9.30pm. www.dunbrodyhouse.com
with fundamental food preparation techniques. She says the
course was ideal for her as it had a back-to-basics focus.
Ballymaloe Cookery School, Co Cork
“I find cooking very relaxing if you’re specifically doing it to
entertain friends. It can be enjoyable as opposed to just funct-
Ballymaloe Cookery School runs a number of short courses
ional. Your technique improves over time and they show you
ranging from five days to a half day with renowned instructors such
exactly how to do things properly. I’m applying it at home on a
as Darina Allen and Rachel Allen. The five-day Intensive Introductory
very slow basis,” she says.
course teaches all the essential skills. Costing €835, there is a wait- The Cooks Academy premises on Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire
ing list for this autumn’scourse. One-day courses are priced from is expertly laid out, with a demonstration level upstairs and the
€175-€250. www.cookingisfun.ie
cookery area downstairs where the hands-on work takes place.
“Everyone has their own little work station with a sink, hob and
Ballyknocken Cookery School, Co Wicklow
boards. You have to bring your own knives. It’s very well struc-
tured. We got to chop onions and leeks and then ended up mak-
Ballyknocken Cookery School in Glenealy, near Ashford, Co
ing a soup from them. They showed us how to skin fish as well
Wicklow, is run by chef Catherine Fulvio and offers a range of
and we made fish flakes out of that. Everything you chopped up
cookery classes from vegetarian to gourmet entertaining and more.
you actually cooked. It’s quite practical but it’s also great fun.”
Half-day courses cost around €110. Ballyknocken also takes private
Orlaith said one of the benefits of the course is being shown
groups from corporate team building to hen parties. how to chop the correct way, but adds that it’s only through prac-
Accommodation is available on site at the award-winning tice at home that you can perfect the technique.
Ballyknocken House. www.thecookeryschool.ie
Orlaith’s group was a mix of about 50pc male and 50pc female,
she recalls. “You would buddy up with someone who’s standing
Cooks Academy
beside you. Some people did come in pairs. It’s not like being
back at school and is a bit of fun. But it’s no nonsense by the same
The full-time professional one-month certificate course will set
token. I enjoy cooking and wouldn’t necessarily stick to a recipe,
you back €3,250, but for the beginner, the Essential Foundation
but technique is important and that’s why I took part. It was very
and Intermediate courses come in at around €650. Four and
professional — you just arrive and everything is set up. I came
six-week evening courses range from €240 to €450. Day and
away with what I went there to achieve,” she adds.
evening hands-on courses start at €70. www.cooksacademy.com Orlaith can be contacted at obrennanmba2003@alumni.ucd.ie.
44 UCD BUSINESS CONNECTIONS
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