An exciting new cookery school in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire for all abilities. Chef and owner Simon Hartley shares his knowledge and passion for food, teaching classes that range from bread-making and fish and seafood to seasonal dinner parties for fun-filled days where guests cook up a storm!
The winner of the Thame Food Festival Bursary is sponsorsed by Pinkster Gin. The winner for 2022 is Hartley’s Cookery School, based in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire.
The bursary was established a few years ago to celebrate and promote any newly formed artisan food business within a 30-mile radius of Thame. To be eligible the successful businesses need to have been going for a year or less. After much consideration the final two applicants met with the judging board to discuss their business, their future vision and explore how they would potentially look to utilise the opportunity.
Simon Hartley, Chef and owner of Hartley’s Cookery School said of the win;
“I can’t quite believe how things have changed for us in such a short space of time. The school was just a dream last year at this time and now we have our dedicated space at Bradmoor Farm, a range of cookery classes for all abilities from children to adults, chef’s table dining experiences and now this bursary support too.”
The bursary includes an award of £1,000, a free pitch at this year’s Thame Food Festival, content in the festival programme, the opportunity to have an interview in the Food Glorious Food marquee and help with PR and social media. Previous winners have included Ozi Lala, who has gone on to win Great Taste awards for his unique food products and the original winner was Lisa Hartwright of Tess’ Brilliant Bakes. Both of whom are going from strength to strength and still play an active part in the food festival too.
Director and event co-ordinator Lotte Duncan said
“We are delighted to be in a position to offer a bursary again – thanks to Pinkster Gin. As a Community Interest Company, supporting young businesses that have the same ethics as the festival is an important part of what we try to do. It was such a pleasure to meet Simon and his partner and hear what they are trying to achieve by giving people friendly, fun cookery courses while learning about the provenance of their food.”
When asked about what he is planning to spend the bursary on, Simon said:
“As we have only been trading for just over five months, we are looking to use the bursary to invest in upgrading our website, signage and professional photography. Plus, use the support of the judges to broaden awareness of us and explore how we can potentially look at supporting initiatives in the communit
