and updates from Claremont Farm including the Festival
Loads n loads
NEW Cookery Courses for 2012
Curry with Nisha Katona and Sushi with Xiong Chen see forthcoming events page for details
Claremont Kitchen Cookery School
New Cheese and Sausage course dates. New Vegi-table dates and NEW Angels Cupcakes courses, all on the forthcoming events page!!
Nisha Katona
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Nisha Katona is a British born Indian,an Indian Cookery author,teacher, ITV Food chef and full time Barrister. She is a dedicated curry evangelist from the Wirral.
She burns with a desire to convey the shrouded formulas of curry making, from her ancestral Indians, to her beloved Brits.
She has spent many years teaching Indian Cookery to all age groups and her courses trace the evolution of Indian cuisine through the culture and history of India. The distillation of strict, easily grasped guidelines emerged from her research and it is these formulas that she seeks to share with her fellow foodies. Curries in 3 spices and 20 minutes. That's the aim
FULL DAY CURRY WORKSHOP
JOURNEY INTO THE MIND OF AN INDIAN COOK....My aim is to get all my participants to “think like an Indian” when approaching curry.
This means that at the end of the day you will be TOTALLY CURRY CONFIDENT. You will be able to approach any ingredient and turn it into an authentic curry in a matter of 3 SPICES AND 20 MINS. The day runs from 10am-4pm. You are taught about the history and cultural genesis of Indian Food. I will teach you the fundamental principles of curry creation by way of interactive demonstrations. There will be a constant flow of fascinating facts and good food. Included in the price is as much food as you can eat, a glass of wine with the meal and soft drinks throughout the day. Guests are given a booklet of the principles and recipes taught
Saturday 25th February-(SOLD OUT)
Saturday 28th April 2012
Saturday 19th May 2012
Saturday 30th June 2012
Time 10am-4pm Cost- £120
EVENING DINE+DEMO CLASS
My aim in this class is to arm you with the essential knowledge of how to create meat and vegetable curry. I want this demo to equip its participants with the ability to create an authentic Indian meal with 3 SPICES AND 20 MINS. You will learn to think like an Indian Cook and this will liberate you into real Curry Confidence and the ability to blind your guests with your curry creativity. This class runs from 7pm-10pm. This includes a full demonstration of the banquet served to you, wine and soft drinks.
Thursday 19th April 2012
Thursday 22th March 2012
Thursday 10th May (vegetarian)
Time 7pm-10pm Cost £60
For more information and to book your place, please go to her website
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Sushi Workshops 2012
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Very proud to introduce you to the world of Sean and his fantastic sushi workshops!!
Beginners Evening Class
Green tea on arrival and you will leave with a box full of beautiful sushi made during the workshop. You will learn the sushi making skills and make your own perfect sushi at home or at parties.
The skills that you going to learn as following:
Preparing sushi rice, then preparing sushi ingredients:-
Thin roll, California Roll (inside-out roll),Temaki – hand rolled cones, Nigiri – rice block with toppings, Temari – rice ball with toppings.
Sean will share his sushi knowledge with you, the workshop will be more like a fun and relaxed dinner party, nibbling is compulsory.
Price: £65
Dates: Mon 23rd Jan, Mon 13th Feb, Mon 2nd April
Time: 19:00pm – 22:00pm
Advanced Full Day Technical Course
Green tea on arrival and everyone will learn the history of sushi while you drinking tea.
The workshop starts with on how to prepare sushi rice, everyone will learn what ingredients to buy and where to buy them; what kind of fish is suitable for sushi, where and how to buy sushi equipment. The fish used in the workshop is supplied by local fish monger.
Sean will share his passion for sushi, show all the tricks and best tips to prepare fish and make authentic sushi.
You will learn how to make Sashimi, garnishing dishes; Miso soup, Ebi Tempura, Temaki – hand rolled cones, Japanese egg omelette, Thin Roll, California Roll, Nigiri and Temari Sushi.
Lunch will be miso soup and hand-rolled sushi, yummy.
A copy of course notes is available and you will take away the sushi you have made and can enjoy sushi in the evening.
Price: £120
Dates: Sunday 19th Feb,
Monday 20th Feb, Monday 23rd April
Time: 10:00am – 16:00pm
For more information e-mail Andrew at thefamily@claremontfarm.co.uk or call 07785783408
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New Fine Dining workshops with Claire Lara 2012
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Claire Lara is back for 2012 with her very own fine dining courses at Claremont Kitchen. Last year Claire wowed us with her culinary skills and natural gift for teaching and we are delighted to be offering you a chance to share in her passion for the finest tasting food.
NEW Sun 29th April Canapés
Sun 13th May Starters and Light bites FULLY BOOKED
Sun 27th May Mains FULLY BOOKED
Sun 10th June Desserts
Full day, hands on course under the instruction of Claire, working as a team to create fabulous food 10am-4pm
Cost:- £85/person and places are limited. lunch and all refreshments are included in the price.Menu and full details to follow
Gourmet Farmer and Chef nights with Claire Lara and Andrew Pimbley
Drink on arrival, then take a stroll across the fields, learn and taste about all the different fruit and vegetables on the farm, then back to Claremont Kitchen where Wirral's very own Master Chef Winner will treat you to a cooking demonstration, followed by a feast of her favourite seasonally inspired dishes.
Sat 9th June Asparagus evening
Sat 14th July Burst of Berries Evening
Evenings start 7pm-10/10.30pm
Cost:- £60/person, book early to avoid disappointment
Menu and full details to follow
For more information about the courses or to book your place, please e-mail Andrew at thefamily@claremontfarm.co.uk or call 07785783408
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The Vegi Table Winter/Spring Workshops
01/08/2011
Slicing and Dicing
Half day course where you can learn to slice effortlessly, just like the professionals (we promise!) as well as choose and sharpen your own knives. Recipes include hearty Tuscan soup and seasonal fruit tarts for a lunchtime snack, as well as spicy rice salad and a posh colelsaw to enjoy at home. Date: 18th February 2012 Cost £55
Just Bread
Possibly our most popular course! Make sure you have freezer space to take home fougasse, poppy seed rolls, sesame plaits, 'epi' and shot rolls, as well as a stromboli filled with mozzarella, tomatoes and pesto. A hearty stifado and surprisingly light white chocolate bread pudding is served for lunch. Date: March 7th 2012 Cost £85
Mexican Magic
A new short day course making the food everyone is talking about. Dishes include green chilli, roasted squash & mole, guacamole (of course!), a fiesta salad and chilli corn bread. And there's sweet potato and black bean quesadilla to take home and chocolate chile brownies to sample. Date: April 14th 2012 Cost £60
For more details contact Mo & Sarah on 07732 791 496/07974 968830 or visit www.vegi-table.co.uk
read more about the amazing pair in a 2 page article in the daily post
Gift vouchers available to buy from Claremont Farm Shop or direct from Mo and Sarah....the perfect present!!!
Angels Cupcakes Classes & Workshops
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February 5th 2012
Introduction to mini celebration cakes and cupcakes class
Level- Beginner
Details:
This class teaches the basics about covering celebration cakes but at a mini level- these small cakes are becoming increasingly popular for occasions such as weddings and christenings and are also ideal for learning basic cake skills because they are small. The class also includes how to decorate cupcakes with popular buttercream piping techniques and you will learn how to make amazing decorations for both types of cakes taught on this workshop. Included are: all the items needed for the class to use on the day, 4 mini cakes and 6 cupcakes for you to decorate and take home, plus a certificate of attendance (also includes refreshments throughout the day).
Price: £149 Time:10.30am-4pm
March 25th 2012
Intensive cupcake decorating class- learn all of the skills needed for professional looking cupcakes.
Level- Intermediate
Details:
The class includes colouring and using different types of pastes/icings to make large impressive flowers, beautiful hand-made roses, bows etc, and the use of various types of moulds, cutters and tools. Also taught are basic buttercream skills from filling and correctly using/holding a piping bag to colouring buttercream and various piping techniques. We also teach more advanced decoration techniques such as embossed fondant topped cupcakes and pass on our fail-safe recipes and information on this class, ideal when baking in large numbers. The class includes all the items needed for your use on the day, 10 cupcakes for you to decorate and take home, plus a certificate of attendance (also included are refreshments throughout the day).
Price: £149 Time:10.30am-4pm
15th April 2012
Cupcake Perfection workshop
Level- Beginner
Details:
The Cupcake Perfection workshop includes demonstrations on making and baking the perfect cupcake, including how to make and pipe beautiful buttercream swirls. You will also learn how to make your own decorations to enable you to produce beautiful cupcakes yourself. The price of the workshop includes refreshments, everything you need to use on the day, a box of six cupcakes that you will have decorated yourself, plus a certificate of attendance.
Price: £79 Time:10.30-1.30pm
6th May 2012
Celebration Cake Class- learn how to cover and decorate a celebration cake
Level- Beginner/Intermediate
Details:
This class focuses on larger celebration cake skills from colouring your fondant and covering a celebration cake to decorating your cake for a special occasion including covering a drum and other beautiful finishing techniques. Included on this class are refreshments throughout the day and most of the tools needed on the day. You will, however, be required to bring a 6 inch round sponge cake and a large rolling pin with you.
Price: £149 Time:10.30-3.30pm
*Also June 24th: Intensive Cupcake Decorating Class (see above)
& July 29th: Introduction to mini celebration cakes and cupcakes class (see above for details)
For more information on the courses and booking details please e-mail Kim info@angelscupcakes.co.uk or call 07971 731 030
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Chocolate Workshops with The Chocolate Cellar
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Valentine's Evening Ticket (for two)
We are offering couples a delightful and romantic evening with The Chocolate Cellar and Claremont Kitchen playing host.
The evening will be a magical romantic interlude in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and you are sure to wow your loved one with this experience.
The evening begins with a welcome drink and guests are then guided through indulgent chocolate treats to set the tone for the evening.
Couples are able to relax in a private setting to enjoy a light buffet and can participate in chocolate making at a relaxed pace if they wish to.
Following on from the buffet, a fruit and sweet platter with chocolate fondue will be served. At the end of the evening couples collect everything they have made and add it to the goodie bag to take home and share.
Price including drinks, food, chocolate and goodie bags:
Wednesday 14th February, 7pm-9pm £75 per couple.
To allow you to present this as a gift to your loved one, the tickets come with a box of truffles in a Gift presentation pack. Limited places available. Please email chocshop@thechocolatecellar.co.uk for more details.
The Chocolate Cellar offers a range of workshops. The workshops are taught by one of our experienced chocolatiers. Our passion for chocolate is totally infectious and all who have attended have come away inspired and enthralled by the art of chocolate making. Sessions are run at The Chocolate Cellar in Liverpool City Centre and at Claremont Kitchen on the Wirral.
Our workshops are popular for corporate events, birthday parties, hen /stag parties and special individual treats.
Dabble Workshop £30 per head
This two hour workshop begins with a talk about how chocolate makes it from the bean to the bar, followed by a practical session where we demonstrate various techniques before giving you the chance to create your own masterpieces. Following a chocolate quiz, everybody gets the chance to hand-wrap their creations to take home. The price includes a hot chocolate drink.
please e-mail andrew at thefamily@claremontfarm.co.uk to book your place and for more information visit www.thechocolatecellar.co.uk
if you are interested in any of the other courses, group bookings, birthday parties etc please e-mail andrew at the above address.
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Smoking and Pickling Seafood
23/09/2011
Join Paul Peacock for a full days course where you will learn how to make your own potted shrimps, whelks, cockles, mussels and simple seafood dishes from things like quiche to kippers. Also you will learn how best to use smoked fish and the art of how to smoke fish in a wok with tea?! You will discover how not to spend a fortune on your favourite food but learn how to use cheaper cuts of fish like coli tails. Finally you will learn how to dress a crab and create roll mops and kedgeree plus cook whitebait and make frito misto.
The Wirral is proud of it's coastline and the seafood they provide. Our favourite local fishmonger is Wards Fish from Birkenhead Market, who will be supplying us with the fresh fish and seafood for the day.
These speciality courses will run just before Christmas and Easter so you can show your skills off to family and friends over the holiday's.
Sat 31st March 2012 10am – 4pm ONLY 4 PLACES AVAILABLE
The cost is £80 per person which includes lunch and all refreshments.
To book your place please e-mail andrew at thefamily@claremontfarm.co.uk or call andrew on 07785783408
Cheese Making with Paul Peacock
08/05/2011
Making Cheese has served mankind for upwards of 8000 years and has quite literally changed the world. It is estimated that the first cheeses were made by carrying milk in a calf’s stomach, the latent enzymes in the skin turning the milk.
Today, cheese making has little changed from the original - we are just a lot better at making cheese safe to eat.
There are hundreds of types of cheese and in this course you are going to experience making three, a general cheese that using yogurt as a starter, a twist on an ancient paneer that makes a wonderful cheesecake cheese and perhaps the most glorious cheese in the world, brie.
-You will learn about the absolute importance of strict hygiene and keeping things spotlessly clean.
-The various portions and constituents of milk and gain an understanding of what is off and what is not, when milk sours to make cheese.
-The circumstances important in clotting cheese and precipitating the various proteins in milk to make cheese.
-Also, you will learn about starters and how they alter the texture and flavour of the cheese and how you press the cheese to get rid of as much of the whey as possible.
-How to store small portions of cheese and how this might be important in keeping cheese safe to eat.
-Learn how to modify your cheese to make others, like Boursin or Roule.
NEW DATES
Sat 10th March 2012 10am – 4pm FULLY BOOKED
Sunday 5th August 10am - 4pm
The cost is £75 per person which includes lunch and all refreshments.
To book your place please e-mail andrew at thefamily@claremontfarm.co.uk or call andrew on 07785783408
Sausage Making with Paul Peacock
29/05/2011
It was a brave man who first thought of stuffing an animal’s intestine with food for safe keeping.
We have come a long way since the Second World War, when sausages were so full of water they exploded in the pan, and home made sausages are so wonderful, and so easy to make, you will be amazed you didn’t do this earlier.
Most sausages you buy in the shops are around 30% meat - and that is a good sausage! You will be making sausages nearer to 65% meat, and they will taste divine!
-You will learn the importance of absolutely perfect cleanliness and why it is necessary to sterilize everything.
-Understanding the absolute need for bread crumbs (or rusk) in your sausage as well as fat and water.
-The use of the various sausage skins and their characteristics.
-Learn how to grind meat and how to make a really expertly made sausage, far, far tastier than shop bought ones, and you will experience making sausages with bought spices as well as completely natural ingredients.
-Also, how to stuff the skins onto the grinder and how to keep the skins pliable as well as how to deliver the sausage meat into the skins, and how to link sausages for home use.
-How to keep sausages and how to avoid them spoiling.
NEW DATES
Sunday April 1st 2012 1pm-4pm only 3 places left
Wednesday Evening June 13th 7pm-9pm
The cost is £45 per person.
To book your place please e-mail andrew at thefamily@claremontfarm.co.uk or call andrew on 07785783408
Beekeeping Courses
04/02/2011
Beekeeping sessions at Claremont kitchen with Paul Peacock from City Cottage and Radio 4's Gardener's Question Time.
These whole day courses will give you the chance to assess if beekeeping is for you, and if you will be able to keep bees in your garden.
A mixture of theory and practical will provide the opportunity for you to get suited up and close with the bees in our hives, and you will become familiar with various aspects of beekeeping.
You will learn about the bee year, the need to treat for varroa, how the hive works and how bees produce honey and other products.
You will see first hand the complexity of the hive and what makes bees tick.
You will learn how to handle smokers, hive tools and frames and what to look for in the hive and you will be able to assess if bees are for you.
The beekeeping days for 2012 will be:
17th March - NEW Hive building day
18th March - Introduction to the bees and the hive, the bee year,
22nd April - How bees make honey, how to encourage, honey, how to make frames and assessing your ability to keep bees
20th May - Bee diseases and how to deal with them, with a special emphasis on varroa
23rd June - Harvesting honey and how to extract it, preparing for the autumn
22 July - Feeding bees and preparing for winter, the effects of feeding and how the hive changes to become dormant
The emphasis of each course will vary according to the seasonal needs of the bees.
The cost of the five days will be £60 per day (hive building day not included) or £250 for the whole series and lunch is included in the price. Hive building day is £60 plus £150 for all the materials needed for your first Hive.
For purchasing Bees please e-mail paul@paulpeacock.net
Days run from 10am -4pm all clothing,equipment,food and refreshments are included
To book your place please e-mail andrew at thefamily@claremontfarm.co.uk
or call andrew on 07785783408
Award winning, Little Eye Bakery, Sourdough Full Day Workshop.
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An informal, hands-on session, in a relaxed kitchen environment, making bread to eat and to take home.
Launched in 2010 at the first Hoylake Food Fair in Wirral, to meet and stimulate demand for local, high quality craft breads, Little Eye Bakery is a developing family business which produces a range of 7 sourdough loaves for customers, farmers’ markets and outlets such as Honest-to-Goodness vegan/organic grocers and Palm’s delicatessen.
Trading on 25 years baking experience (including pioneering London sourdough bakery Natural Rise in the 80s), Malcolm Williams marries ancient and modern - working with wild yeast starters, slow fermentation techniques, hand-kneading, and organic and local sourcing. There are no preservatives or artificial additives.
For more information visit their blog little eye bakery
Date June 17th 10am-4pm
Date July 8th 10am-4pm
Cost £75/person
New dates to be announced for the second half of the year soon.
For more information please contact Malcolm on 07724332523 or e-mail info@littleeye.org.uk
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Hedge laying training day,tutors from Cheshire Ploughing & Hedgecutting Soc
27/11/2011
We will host a hedge laying training day at Claremont Farm, Clatterbridge, under the tutelage of Jack Dunning & company from Cheshire Ploughing and hedge cutting Society. Jack has been laying hedge since 1952! Please let Paul know if you are attending the hedge training day and if you would like to join us for post event meal. 0151-645-8937.
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HEALTHY COOKING AFRO-CARIBBEAN STYLE
20/03/2011
RNK brings you a unique blend of Afro-Caribbean food offering you an insight into an untapped fresh ingredients list packed with all the essential nutrients to nourish your body, promoting optimum wellbeing. More importantly if you are a vegetarian or a vegan. Have you tried the Ackee or the Calalloo? These ingredients guarantee you, high fibre, essential fatty acids, Quality protein, and up to 87% of your daily nutritional requirements more than any other food class. In other words you can live on these
What is more, the ingredients and the recipes are unique, they are Gluten free and Diary free too.
There are options for everybody, from the most experienced connoisseur of Afro-Caribbean cuisine to the inexperienced beginner.
Grace’s unique recipes, are clear and simple to follow, and Grace successfully removes any fear of complication from what some aspiring cooks may imagine to be difficult or complex recipes. The variation of dishes is delightful; the recipes range from simple vegetarian dishes (Pepper Sauce, Plantain, Jollof Rice, Maize Meal, pounded yam) to more intricate dishes (such as Ackee and fish, Jerk chicken, Curried Goat, Rice & Peas, Calalloo, Egusi Stew and lots more)
The food speaks for itself; each sample is a glamorous, exceptional treat. And Grace’s cooking gives the learners the chance to carry on the fun, bringing their kitchens to life in the Afro-Caribbean way!
You will be treated to a meal after Cooking. A selection of 3 dishes will be cooked to suit dietary needs in a group. (such a rice, a meat, and a side vegetable dish)
For more information about Grace and her amazing Afro-Caribbean cooking, visit www.rnk-foods.co.uk or email: rnkfoods@btinternet.com
also, check out her latest news and courses on facebook
Tel. 01516087405; Mob. 07761558314
Date Sunday 20th March 2011
Sunday 22nd May 2011
From 2pm-6pm. cost £45/person For booking please e-mail Andrew at thefamily@claremontfarm.co.uk
Open Farm Sunday Welly Walk
17/06/2012
When -11am - 1pm
Activities - Welly Walk, harvesting seasonal produce,wildlife spotting etc
Meet in the Cortyard next to the farm shop.
Wear suitable clothing and footware.
please e-mail thefamily@claremontfarm.co.uk or visit our www.facebook.com/claremontfarm to register your interest.
this is a free event and open to everyone, but donations to the national farming charity RABI would be graetly appreciated.
Call Andrew on 07785 783 408 for any further information