A NEW Winchester cookery school has opened after years in the making.

The Exclusive Cookery School at Lainston House Hotel in Sparsholt is the brainchild of The Exclusive Hotel Group which was set in motion last year.

It was developed in the hope of building an academy deliberately designed to bring on young chefs from college.

There are currently 11 trainees who have finished their first year, having now earned their demi chef de parti staus, with another 11 set to come in for the next term.

Following an intensive two month programme, the site of the former gym has been developed into a cutting edge school packed full of technology.

It's cost around £800,000 of the £1 million budget, which includes 24 stations consisting of top of the range equipment to help the new chefs on their way.

And it's not just the trainees who will be benefitting from the shiny new kitchen.

There are a number of cookery classes available to the public, giving helpful advice and useful little tips on making pasta, jams, marmalades, charcuterie, and even learning new knife skills, amongst others.

General manager, Gaius Wyncoll, who joined the group in April, said: “You can also hire it for corporate events and even birthday parties. There are vouchers too.”

Andy Mackenzie, executive chef, added: “Exclusive Hotels had a plan and it's all come together. To be cooking in this environment, and with such great equipment, is great.”

Group staff members have also had the chance to access some of the 15 taster days put on by Mr Mackenzie, cookery school manager Sylvain Gachot, and former Masterchef: The Professionals winner, Steven Edwards.