Dudwell School

Caroline Waldegrave is the founding Principal, former Managing Director and co-owner of Leiths School of Food and Wine, one of the most prestigious and respected cookery schools in the country. After 33 years’ involvement, Caroline retired and became a non-executive director on the board of Leith’s in 2009. She was also Chairman of the Guild of Food Writers for several years, and a former member of the Health Education Authority. Caroline was awarded an OBE in 2000 for services to the UK catering industry. Her passion and enthusiasm for teaching and love of food have continued to be the fundamental drivers of Caroline’s work. Since stepping back from day-to-day involvement in Leith’s School, Caroline has focused on imparting her wealth of cookery knowledge at Dudwell School, on the site of the beautiful Waldegrave family home, Dudwell Field Farm. In addition, she owns the Barley Mow pub in London's Marylebone with three of her four children, as well as being a director of the family organic dairy farm. Caroline is also in demand for media appearances, and has been seen on various TV and radio programmes, including Chef School, Masterchef and Tricks of the Trade. In what spare time she does have, Caroline enjoys playing bridge and tennis, and attending the theatre. Publishing Caroline is the author or co-author of a range of cookery books. These include the Leith’s Cookery Bible, Cookery Course and Cookery School books (co-written with Prue Leith), Leith’s Easy Dinner Parties (co-written with Puff Fairclough and Janey Orr), Leith’s Fish Bible (co-written with CJ Jackson), The Healthy Gourmet, and the Low Fat Gourmet. Many of the recipes you will cook on the Dudwell courses will be taken from the Leith’s Bible, but you will also benefit from a copy of the Dudwell cookery book which you will take home at the end of the course, or which is available to buy separately here.