At our school of cookery, we aim to stir the imagination; to find natural flare where once lay only a fear of grams & ounces; to inspire in you a confidence to learn new techniques and a desire to perfect existing skills. Our ethos is to provide simple, flexible & practical instruction whether you enjoy gourmet cooking or simply wish to host a dinner party without fear and trepidation!
At our school of cookery in Northern Ireland you will discover the delights of cooking in a relaxed atmosphere, with expert tuition, using top quality seasonal Irish produce. Our hands-on cookery courses and demonstrations will introduce you to some of Ireland’s most exciting and innovative culinary ideas in a cookery school in one of the most beautiful settings in Ireland.
Our courses vary in duration from weeklong courses to weekends and are designed for any level of cooking ability, from beginner through to experienced cooks. Each course takes a maximum of 10 people allowing for a very 'hands-on' approach in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
In the evening, after a wine tasting, guests will be invited back into the kitchen again. Here they can watch the finishing touches being put to a truly gourmet dinner, which they will then enjoy in the dining room overlooking the Florence Court mountains.
It is quite amazing the amount of culinary delights that can be produced in any one day. Liz teaches with such enthusiasm and passion that all guests are guaranteed to return home armed with new recipes, tips and advice and most of all an eagerness to become more adventurous in the kitchen!
4 Week Diploma Course - Essential Cooking
"Essential Cooking" is an intensive 4 week course designed for people who are interested in learning the key skills to start a job in cooking. It is aimed at those who want to work as holiday cooks, either at sea and on land e.g. chalet cooks. It offers the students a chance to create their own style and enhance their repertoire, as well as gaining confidence. This is a well rounded intensive course covering 4 modules; Specific techniques inc. bread making, knife, pastry & sugar work, cheese making, preserving, menu planning and budgeting. This course is accredited by Omagh & Enniskillen colleges. Successful students that receive the diploma will be introduced to companies that are looking to recruit. This course will take place from Monday 11th September to Friday 6th October 2006.
7 Day courses
Each of our 7 Day courses are created with the emphasis on Seasonal Ingredients and Special Holiday menus. This course is designed for those that wish to indulge in the best of food, company and surroundings. Participants enjoy the wonderful hospitality of the Belle Isle Estate during their stay - accommodation and full board is included. Excursions are planned during the week to local producers as well as to areas of interest and beauty.
Weekend or Long Weekend courses
Our highly successful Weekend or Long Weekend courses have been created with the same emphasis on Seasonal Cooking and are held over a 3 or 4 day period. Families can enjoy our Weekend Course when children are welcome - accommodation and full board is included.
1 Day courses & Demonstration days
These courses are ideal for the busy cook with all courses being of only one day duration. There is a wide variety of courses to whet the appetite and we are sure you will want to try more than one! - lunch is included. Accommodation is not included.
Evening Courses
Starting at 7pm on evenings during the week, Liz Moore will give demonstrations lasting two hours with a glass of wine and plenty of tasting! Accommodation not included.
Wine events
Wine features in all our longer courses and we also offer specialized courses and events throughout the year with wine producers and wine ‘personalities’ giving talks and tastings.
Wine and good food go hand in hand, during the 4 week, 5 day course and weekend courses wine will feature as part of the learning and appreciation process. We aim to guide you through matching of wine with the food you create; this will help in building your understanding and knowledge of wine. Belle Isle works in partnership with the leading wine experts of Direct Wine Shipment, winner of the Northern Ireland Wine Merchant of the Year 2003.
Belle Isle also offers specific courses where wine will be the main focus and attention, with winemakers and wine 'personalities' giving wine-specific talks at Belle Isle.
On those occasions we will find an excuse to provide some interesting food to accompany the specialized wines that are being tasted. Further to this we will be planning gourmet wine and food weekends in the months to come - if you would like to attend and be part of our wine tasting club, let us know, so that we will be able to invite you to these special events as and when they occur. At Belle Isle we can also offer a personalized wine-specific program for you and your friends/colleagues/clients. All you need is a minimum of 8 like-minded people; we will provide everything else.
Accommodation
Our school of cookery offers a range of accommodation options. Experience the luxury and heritage of Belle Isle Castle, enjoy modern conveniences in our award winning Self-Catering Courtyard Apartments or relax in one of the Estate Cottages. Whatever your choice you can be assured of quality and comfort in a beautiful woodland setting amidst the Fermanagh Lakelands.
Prices quoted for courses with the exception of the one-day demonstrations include the cost of accommodation based on staying in a courtyard apartment or a cottage, there is a supplement charge for staying in the Castle. Allocation of accommodation is based on sharing either an apartment or cottage, should you wish your own a supplement charge will be added.
The Courtyard - Belle Isle's Courtyard has recently been converted into eight individual self-catering apartments. All have earned a four-star rating from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and each has been sympathetically designed to compliment the warmth and strength of the original building materials. Each Courtyard Apartment has its own character and style. Some are suitable for use by disabled visitors, another has a children's loft while sleeping options range from singles to those large enough for six people.
The Cottages - there are 3 different cottages at Belle Isle all within easy walking distance of the lakeshore and 10 minutes walk from the cookery school.
Belle Isle Castle - the Castle has been sensitively restored to meet the demands of modern living, retaining its original layout and architectural features so guests can still enjoy the romance of a bygone era. Experience an authentic Country House atmosphere without obtrusive modern restorations, where antique furniture and paintings by Victorian masters are offset beautifully by the dramatic color scheme created by esteemed international interior designer, David Hicks. The eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms within the castle, can cater for up to fourteen people in complete comfort and style.
Faculty Information:
Liz Moore is a talented, experienced and passionate Chef from neighboring Co. Monaghan who will instruct and guide guests in the art of cooking and kitchen management. Liz has cooked for many prestigious events in Ireland and can include H.M. The Queen of England as one of the more notable dignitaries to have tasted her delicious culinary delights.
Liz is known throughout Ireland for her unique approach to the kitchen and through her philosophy of adopting a modern view; local ingredients will be transformed and mingled with traditional Irish recipes. Guided by her expert tuition, guests will gain the confidence to be creative and extend the boundaries of their culinary skills, in our state of the art kitchens overlooking Lough Erne.
Joe Kelly joins us as our first guest chef this year and will be part of the team until the summer. Joe has recently returned to Fermanagh after a number of years training and working as a chef in the United States. He has had wide experience in the culinary world. Not only has he worked with award-winning chefs but has also run his own highly acclaimed restaurant in Florida. Joe is passionate about food and is embarking on an organic vegetable farm. He will be adding his individual, international flair to the cookery courses in the months ahead.
Other Activities:
When not cooking, there are numerous activities and other things to do at the Belle Isle School of Cookery. The School's unique setting means you are surrounded by the beautiful Fermanagh Lakelands, where boating, fishing and watersports are almost a way of life. Some of the activities we have listed below are on site, some are within County Fermanagh, while others are a short drive away in neighboring counties. Whatever your interest, there is something to whet the appetite and ensure your time at Belle Isle is as fun packed or relaxed as you want.
- Hard Tennis Court;
- Walks along Lake Shore;
- 8 x 18 hole Golf Courses;
- Salmon fishing on the River Mourne;
- Lake fishing on the famous Lough Melvin;
- Horse Riding at Necarne Equestrian Center;
- The Enniskillen Lakeside Theater;
- Many monastic sites including Devenish Island;
- Marble Arch Caves;
- Military and County Museum at Enniskillen Castle;
- Tours of Houses and Castles can be arranged with coach and guide provided;
- A guided tour can also be arranged of 10 Gardens in the area, not normally open to the public.
Facility Information:
The purpose built cookery school is located close to the estate's main courtyard. The kitchen itself is warm and inviting with wood being used as the primary building material. An oil-fired 'Aga' will feature strongly in the school as will conventional gas & electric cookers.
As good light is essential in any kitchen, we have been designed to take advantage of natural daylight and in doing so affords stunning views of the Florence Court Mountains. The clarity of light and space creates a kitchen which is a pleasure to work in and an optimum environment to discover the delights of Irish Cuisine.
The work stations are designed for guests to work comfortably in pairs and are adjustable in height so are suitable for children over 8 years and of course, wheelchair friendly.
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