256 Food & Drinks courses

‘Both of these wines are [Grape X] from [Country Y] – so why is this one twice the price?’ It’s a question that we’re often asked, so for summer 2024, we’re putting on a trio of tastings to show what happens when you fork out some extra money. Each week, we’ll try four pairs of popular styles of wine, one bottle of we’ve bought for under £10, while the other has cost at least twice as much. And we’ll be trying each pair ‘blind’ – you’ll know what the wines are, but not which is in Glass 1 and which in Glass 2… We’ll have a chat about what it is in each case that makes one of the wines more expensive, then we’ll see which you prefer before revealing which is which. Do you have expensive tastes, or are you more at home with the cheap and cheerful? It’s a great opportunity to find out – and to taste some lovely wines!  The line-up for each week will be: Week 1 WHITES: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Italian Pinot Grigio REDS: Australian Shiraz, Red Bordeaux Week 2 WHITES: Loire Sauvignon Blanc, South African Chenin Blanc REDS: Rioja, New Zealand Pinot Noir Week 3 WHITES: White Burgundy, German Dry Riesling REDS: Red Rhône, Argentine Malbec Each week’s tasting will include 8 wines, and there’ll be some tasty cheese as accompaniment. The cost for each tasting is £37.50, but if you book for all three sessions, the price will be just £100, saving £12.50.

What makes us ill? What makes us well?

World Malbec Day is April 17th, although for some reason it’s actually called Malbec World Day. Meanwhile, May 6th is International Sauvignon Blanc Day. So how about a very special event between the two to celebrate these very special grapes? It’s a great opportunity to see how the “Old World” originals such as Sancerre and Cahors stack up against their “New World” counterparts such as New Zealand Sauvignon and Argentine Malbec. But it’s also a chance to see the success that winemakers are having with the two grapes in other parts of the world. Expect to see a range of styles too – in previous years, we’ve kicked off the day with a sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, and finished with a fortified Malbec, for example. And we’ll have a dig through our cellars to see if we can find some rare older examples of both grapes We’ll taste 12 wines on the day (yes 6 of each!) with a break in the middle for a tasty two-course lunch. This is usually one of our most popular tastings, so do book soon to avoid disappointment

CPD accredited HACCP Refresher & Update course. Delivered online (Zoom) by a live tutor. Exam and Certificate fee included in the price.

Embark on a captivating journey from bean to cup with our "From Bean to Cup" workshop at Etude Coffee. This comprehensive course invites you to delve into the world of coffee, from its humble beginnings as a green bean to the rich and aromatic cup we enjoy every morning. Held in the heart of our local roastery, this workshop lasts an hour and covering education, hands-on experience and sensory enjoyment. Begin your adventure by exploring the fascinating world of green coffee. Learn about different coffee varieties, the significance of their origins, and the impact of various processing methods on flavour profiles. Our roaster will guide you through the intricacies of coffee processing, shedding light on the journey of beans from farms to coffee importers and roasters. We'll then run a demonstration on the transformation of green coffee firsthand and participants can take part in roasting a small batch of coffee on our sample roaster. This hands-on session not only explains the roasting process but also empowers you with the knowledge to appreciate the art and science behind it. The end of the workshop is a communal coffee tasting session. Enjoy the distinct flavours and aromas of various coffees, including the batch you helped roast. This sensory exploration will deepen your understanding of how coffee origin, processing and roasting influence the final taste of your coffee. Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned coffee enthusiast, our From Bean to Cup workshop offers a unique blend of education, practical experience, and sensory exploration. Join us and transform your appreciation for coffee. Limited spots are available to ensure an intimate and interactive experience, so secure yours today and discover the true essence of coffee, from bean to cup.

Official BRCGS Product Safety Management course: An Approach to Product Safety Culture Delivered online (Zoom) by a live BRCGS Approved Training Partner. Exam and Certificate fee included in the price.

Official BRCGS Product Safety Management course: Environmental Monitoring Delivered online (Zoom) by a live BRCGS Approved Training Partner. Exam and Certificate fee included in the price.

Only 12 places available, so please do hurry booking as this exclusive tasting will sell out quickly. There will be no more opportunities to taste these extremely rare wines. These Champagnes were released in very small quantities in the first place and then aged in my own wine cellar to perfection, so none of them are still available on the market to purchase.

90 minutes of chocolate heaven! A chocolate tour experience taking you from chocolate tree to chocolate bar with lots of chocolate tasting on the way! You’ll learn new things about chocolate, make your very own bar and taste chocolate you have never tasted before. LEARN See and touch the fruit of the chocolate tree, and learn all about how the beans are transformed into delicious chocolate. MAKE Have fun making your own Scottish-themed chocolate to take home! You can even make a chocolate Greyfriar’s Bobby, a chocolate Nessie or a chocolate Edinburgh Castle! DISCOVER Discover over 5000 years of chocolate history and experience chocolate as the Aztecs did. TASTE Come to the tasting room with our wonderful selection of chocolates from both Scottish and international chocolate makers. There are over 30 varieties to choose from including dark chocolate, milk chocolate, haggis chocolate, Japanese chocolate, chili chocolate, gin & tonic chocolate and many, many more.

Official BRCGS Gluten-Free Issue 4 for Sites course. Delivered online (Zoom) by a live BRCGS Approved Training Partner. Exam and Certificate fee included in the price.