Wrapping Up Our January Cookery Schools
A (re)Introduction to Hands-On Learning
January on Anglesey is largely quiet, but Y Marram had a different buzz about it this year as we hosted a series of cookery workshops in partnership with Coleg Llandrillo and the Multiply Project.
Food and education have always been key parts of our ethos, and we were determined to establish cookery classes in 2024, in amongst the excitement of the Guest Chef Series.
To do so, this initiative was squeezed into the run-up to Christmas, which isn’t an easy time to get anyone to turn up for anything. Yet the response, despite the timing, was great and the sessions filled quickly.
Demand was so high that we were able to extend the sessions into January, and even then, every slot was fully booked, with a growing waitlist.
Bringing Real Cooking Skills Back to the Table
Our goal was simple:
Teach practical cooking skills with real ingredients.
Make sessions accessible without the need for specialist equipment or hard-to-find ingredients.
Build confidence in numeracy by making numbers relevant and useful in the kitchen.
Each session was about getting hands-on with good produce, understanding cooking techniques, and building up to a dish that participants could recreate at home. Our handbooks provided guidance, but participants had to apply problem-solving skills to complete the recipes in line with the Mulitply Project objectives.
The best part was seeing the moment of realisation when someone plated up and thought, "I actually made that!"
What We Cooked
Over five weeks, we explored a range of techniques, dishes, and challenges:
Week One (19th December): Christmas Trimmings
Week Two (10th January): Salmon Paté & Treacle Soda Bread
Week Three (17th January): The Marram Mawr Burger
Week Four (24th January): Scones, Compote & Cream
Week Five (31st January): Seabass Sushi Rolls
What’s Next?
Between now and the end of March, we will be hosting a number of cookery workshops and one-off menus at Y Marram.
We launched this as a one-off January thing, but the question keeps coming up: should we do more?
The demand is clearly there, and the response has been unreal. But what’s the best way forward? New partnerships? More in-person classes? A different format?
We are also talking to, and always looking for, potential partners to help support community and industry workshops.
For now, though, a massive shoutout to everyone who’s joined in over the past few weeks. Whether you were in one of the classes, following along online, or just keen to get involved next time, thank you.
We will share all recipes online across the coming weeks.
A Huge Thank You
To Coleg Llandrillo and the Multiply Project for making the sessions possible
