Editor’s Pick of the Week: Bettys Easter egg, sewage and new offices

Easter is a time to ponder the big questions in life, such as: what happens to the giant egg in the window of Bettys in Harrogate?

Reporter Lauren Ryan has been tracking down the answer. Look for her article on Sunday.

The Stray Ferret is now a stone’s throw from Bettys — we moved into our new office on Cambridge Crescent on Monday. I may have a claim for the best view from office in Harrogate. It’ll look even better if the sun ever comes out.

Talking of throwing things, my Wednesday morning routine was abruptly cut short this week when I heard Harrogate’s Parliament Street was closed die to a police incident.

I hotfooted it to the scene in time to find a shocking number of broken windows in the buildings above shops. The ages of the boys arrested was even more hard to believe.

Some of the smashed windows on Parliament Street.

Political shenanigans are hotting up in a year of elections of ever-increasing magnitude: there’s the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone council by-election in April, the North Yorkshire mayor election in May and a general election further down the track.

The Lib Dems were reported to the police this week when their by-election candidate sent out a leaflet falsely claiming the Green Party wasn’t standing. Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, wrote to Lib Dem leader Ed Davey claiming the local Lib Dems had “totally gone rogue”, which drew a sharp retort that he was “out of touch”.

The political wrangling continued when the Environment Agency released its latest data about sewage discharges, which made unpleasant reading for those of us living close to the Nidd and Ure, i.e. everyone in the former Harrogate district.

Mr Jones and his Lib Dem rival Tom Gordon had vastly different takes on the results.

Politics is a dirty business — and with elections looming, it’s only likely get murkier.


Read more:


Bettys extends opening hours in Harrogate and York

Bettys has announced its tearooms will stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays in Harrogate and York.

The company reduced its opening hours in 2021 due to staff shortages. You can read the Stray Ferret’s coverage of the issue at the time here.

Many hospitality businesses suffered similar problems after covid.

But in a social media post today, Bettys said it was “thrilled to announce extended Friday and Saturday hours in York and Harrogate”.

From this Saturday, the Harrogate café will open on Saturdays until 7pm and the shop will open until 6pm. On Fridays, the café and shop will open until 6pm. The café opened until 9pm prior to covid.

From this Saturday, the York café and shop will open until 7pm on Saturdays, and until 6pm on Fridays.


Read more:


Business Q&A: Victoria Clark, French Soaps

This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly.  

This week, we spoke to Victoria Clark, owner of French Soaps in Harrogate.

Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does. 

We’re the largest importer of French soap in the UK. Our products are all natural, traditional soaps made in the Provence and Marseilles region of France.

What does it require to be successful in business? 

For me there are two things. Firstly, people. You’ve got to have the right people around and you have to look after them, and that starts from the top. ‘People’ also includes customers. People should always come first.

Secondly, having a focus: knowing what you’re good at and sticking with it. Own your space. Know it, love it, and be brilliant at it.

What drives you to do what you do every day? 

The customers and the product. I love my products and I love surprising people, delighting people, and having happy customers.

What has been the toughest issue your company has had to deal with over the last 12 months? 

Supplies. We work with some big savonneries in France and also with some small, family savonneries. Last summer, it was particularly hot and a lot of our products are handmade, and there were a lot of problems in terms of being able to make product in sufficient quantity when it was cool enough.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why? 

To have a successful business, you need to have a focus, stick at it and be brilliant at it, so for me, that has to be Bettys. They do what they do really well, and they haven’t tried to go out of area or do anything that they can’t manage and control.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders? 

Any business needs to evolve, and the best often do that through a constant series of small changes and tweaks that keep things fresh and alive.

For me, the people that do that really well are the Mackanesses at Rudding Park. They’re always looking at what they’re doing and moving it on.

What could be done locally to boost business? 

Improve parking to make it easier for people to use the facilities in the town. We need 10-15 minutes of free parking in the centre of town, not big pedestrian zones or hour-long car-parking charges everywhere.

If you live in an outlying area like I do, you just want to go in, do what you need to do, and leave. I don’t want to be parking and getting a bus – I’m not there for a day-trip, I’m there to use the facilities.

Best and worst things about running a business from Harrogate? 

I love working in Harrogate and running a business here. Our customers love the fact we’re in Harrogate, and there’s a perception that it’s a good brand fit: a nice product in a nice location.

The worst thing is that prime retail locations are so expensive! My company needs a prime retail location because that’s what the brand needs, and I’d need the footfall to make it viable, but the cost of doing that doesn’t work for me with the size of business I have at the moment.

Photo of packets of French soap flakes on a shelf at Harrogate business French Soaps.

What are your business plans for the future? 

We’re going to start doing some shows, so this year you’ll find us at the Harrogate Flower Show in April.

We’re also working with some other brands and there are various new launches coming along, although I can’t say too much about that at the moment. We’ve always got something happening

What do you like to do on your time off? 

I play golf, love pilates and yoga, and enjoy dog agility and scent work – so I’m busy most of the time.

Best place to eat and drink locally?

In Harrogate, Konak Meze, the Turkish restaurant on Mount Parade.

Slightly out of town, our favourite place is Harewood: Muddy Boots Café and The Hovels. But I’m always open to trying new places.


Read more:


 

 

What our business community is saying about 2024

As 2023 winds down and we start to look to the year ahead, there are some things we can be fairly certain will come our way over the next 12 months.

North Yorkshire will go to the polls in May to elect its first ever Mayor, and there will probably be a General Election too. One has to be held by January 28, 2025, but sometime in 2024 May or November, perhaps seems far more likely.

The Bank of England expects inflation to continue to fall over the coming year, and so too will house prices, according to most forecasters.

Locally, though, individual people in business have their own forecasts – and hopes – for the year ahead. So we asked a cross-section of the district’s business community what their aspirations and expectations are for 2024. From electric gritters to selling beer in Taiwan, here’s what they had to say:

Katie and Paul Rawlinson owners, Baltzersen’s and Bakeri Baltzersen

Photo of Paul and Katie Rawlinson, owners of Baltzersen's and Bakeri Baltzersen in Harrogate.“Small business owners have to be optimists by nature, so we’ll enter 2024 full of determination to make it our best year yet.

“We’ll invest further in making sure Baltzersen’s can compete with a growing number of really great venues in Harrogate.

“We’re also planning to raise our game in the bakery, Bakeri Baltzersen, with refinements and improvements planned across our whole range of bread and pastry, including a good number of new products and the launch of our first vegan range.”

Photo: Matthew Lloyd.


Annie Wilkinson-Gill owner, The Crystal Buddha, Knaresborough

Photo of Annie Wilkinson-Gill, owner of The Crystal Buddha in Knaresborough.“I’m very excited for what 2024 will bring for The Crystal Buddha.

“I have so many things planned for next year, including organising the Knaresborough Wellness Festival on March 24, which is a celebration of lots of lovely local holistic businesses, where anyone can come along and sample what they have to offer!

“We have talks and workshops, stalls and an opportunity to experience a sound bath or aura photography alongside some self-care and retail therapy.”


Simon Eyles managing director, Bettys

Photo of Simon Eyles, managing director of Bettys in Harrogate.“As with the last few years, I am sure this next year will bring lots of uncertainty, challenge, and change. One thing that is for certain, Bettys will continue to focus on delighting every single customer.

“I’m expecting customers to be increasingly selective in where they spend their money, so we will ensure we provide a brilliant Bettys experience like no other.

“I’m also looking forward to some amazing new menu items and delicious new products from our craft bakery. Look out for those!”


Matthew Chapman manager, Harrogate BID

Photo of Matthew Chapman, manager of Harrogate BID.“Looking ahead to 2024, as we launch the new objectives within our term 2 business plan of pride in our town, a vibrant town and voice and vision is looking as positive. Dates for events are set, promotional plans for our town taking shape and proactive Harrogate BID teams on the street likely to be expanded.

“Strategically, we would like to see the Government follow up on a policy announced in May 2022 on local leaders being given more power within long-term commercial vacant units.

“We are also keen to continue our positive collaboration with the local authority and future North Yorkshire Mayor as we head towards devolution that should provide more local powers, decision making and funding.”


Zakaria Battal owner, Kurdish Kitchen, Harrogate

Photo of Zakaria Battal, owner of The Kurdish Kitchen in Harrogate.

“I think my business will carry on growing in 2024.

“It can be hard to get bookings, and when I do, there’s so much paperwork, but that’s actually good, as it makes me more experienced.

“It also makes it safer for people – I have a five-star food hygiene rating.

“My dream is to open a Kurdish Kitchen restaurant here in Harrogate, so hopefully I’ll get closer to doing that. I’m starting small and slowly getting bigger, one step at a time.”


Sharon Canavar – chief executive, Harrogate International Festivals

Photo of Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals.“2024 will be the first year we have the Harrogate International Festivals team back up to full strength post-Covid, so I am looking forward to an amazing year of events and festivals.

“We have our usual programmes with one or two very special events including a free light festival across Harrogate town centre, as well as the return of the Spiegeltent – so lots to celebrate.

“We know times are hard for everyone, so I hope that the range of work we do will touch everyone in some way, bringing a little joy or fun into their lives and the community which we serve.”


Richard Bradbury managing director, T&R Theakston

Photo of Richard Bradbury, managing director of Masham brewer T&R Theakston, with a pint of Old Peculier.

“At Theakstons, we expect to see continued growth for our major brands like the iconic Old Peculier and some of the new beers which have been going down incredibly well as increasing numbers of pubs and supermarkets choose to stock our beers. Although prices continue to increase, the fact that the rate of increase is much lower than 12 months ago gives us confidence that we can continue to keep our beers affordable for drinkers, wherever they’re purchased. 

“As a business, our focus for 2024 will continue to place beer quality at the centre of everything we do. As a result, we are substantially growing our investment into the brewery to keep this at the heart of our business and honour our commitment to drinkers. 

“Turning further afield, having re-entered the US market in 2023, we’ve been buoyed by the growing worldwide demand for our beers and are looking forward to building new distributor relationships in countries including Poland, Sweden and Taiwan.


Lee Bellwood – co-owner, Major Tom’s Social

Photo of Lee Bellwood, co-owner of Major Tom's Social in Harrogate.

“Being an independent in the bar and restaurant trade is always challenging. With various terrible things happening around the world, I’m happy if we can keep our heads above water. We are in a fortunate situation compared to lots of others. 

“At Major Tom’s Social we are looking at extended opening hours and organising some more social educational events. 

“Hopefully, Harrogate will still attract visitors and tourists even with its dwindling high-street presence.”


Paula Lorimer director, Harrogate Convention Centre

Head-and-shoulders photo of Paula Lorimer, director of Harrogate Convention Centre.

“Future forward bookings for the year ahead look promising and we are expecting to exceed driving £40 million of economic impact in 2024/25 to support businesses.

“I would like to thank businesses across the borough, especially the hotels and restaurants who support our clients and make event organisers and delegates feel so welcome in our spa town. If Harrogate Convention Centre is successful in making the business case for further investment, then the sky’s the limit to what we can achieve!”


Charlene Lyons CEO, Black Sheep Brewery

Photo of Charlene Lyons, CEO of Black Sheep Brewery in Masham.

“It goes without saying that 2023 has been a turbulent year, with inflated prices and the cost-of-living crisis impacting us and so many businesses across the Harrogate district. However, Black Sheep Brewery is still moving forwards and we’re hopeful for a much stronger 2024 with some positive changes coming soon. We remain committed to securing local employment as well as continuing to innovate and produce high-quality beers, brewed right here in Yorkshire.

“There have been many positive things that have happened at the brewery in recent months that have helped the team finish strongly for the year. This includes the opportunity to collaborate with and raise funds for Rugby legend Rob Burrow MBE with the launch of ‘Burrow’s Blonde’, a delicious new beer now on tap in your local pub that is already proving to be one our most popular brews.

“In 2024, we also plan on further cementing partnerships with pubs and retailers both across Yorkshire and the wider country, as well as supporting our local communities by renewing sponsorships with grassroots sports clubs such as Harrogate Town AFC.”


Jonathan Lupton managing director, Econ Engineering, Ripon 

Photo of Jonathan Lupton, managing director of Ripon-based Econ Engineering.

“This year has seen Econ continue to develop and demonstrate the UKs first ever fully electric gritter, the E-QCB, which is currently being used at various sites across the country. A major stride in the push for a more sustainable solution to our nation’s working fleet of vehicles, we look forward to working with councils and contractors in 2024, helping them to cut their emissions footprint. 

“The E-QCB, which has a unique swap-body system allowing it to be used all-year round as a gritter, tipper and caged body vehicle, has already made quite an impact and is a major game-changer when it comes to the environmental impact of fleet operations up and down the UK. We hope 2024 will see us build on that initial success.” 


Peter Lacey joint managing director, Whole Systems Partnership; executive team member, Knaresborough & District Chamber

Photo of Peter Lacey, joint managing director of Whole Systems Partnership in Knaresborough, and executive team member of Knaresborough & District Chamber.

“During 2023, Knaresborough & District Chamber, along with other groups in the town, planted the seeds for what I hope will be a year in which we begin to realise the full potential of our fantastic town.

“Securing funds from North Yorkshire Council to explore exciting new ventures will enable us to find our voice for the benefit of businesses and the wider wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.

“The Whole Systems Partnership is in the business of helping the health and care systems across the country to deliver the best possible services for their local populations. For example, early in 2024 we’re looking forward to spreading our wings across the Pennines to help Lancashire County Council work more closely with the different NHS organisations in their area.

“The great thing about being in Knaresborough, however, if that the lessons we learn elsewhere can also be applied in our town, something we’ve supported through Covid and in our support to Knaresborough Connectors in their work to make the town an even better place to live, visit or work in.”


Read more:


 

Yorkshire Soap Company wins Harrogate Christmas shop window contest

The Yorkshire Soap Company has won this year’s Harrogate Christmas Shop Window Competition.

The shop on James Street’s woodland-themed window took the medium shop category prize and then claimed the overall title at an awards ceremony at the Crown Hotel last night.

Sophie Likes on Beulah Street won the small shop category and Bettys on Parliament Street claimed the large shop title.

Jane Fletcher, manager of the Yorkshire Soap Company, said it was “an absolute thrill” to win the contest for a first time, especially as it was up against retail giants like Bettys.

She added:

“When people bring children to see the window and you see they are pointing and laughing at it then it is something magical.”

The annual awards, again organised by the Rotary Club of Harrogate and sponsored by Harrogate Business Improvement District, attracted about 30 entrants.

Clare Granger, the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, presented the awards along with Mervyn Darby, president of the Rotary Club of Harrogate and Dan Siddle, chair of Harrogate BID.

Graham Saunders, who organised the judging on behalf of The Rotary Club, said:

“The judges could see the incredible effort those who entered the competition put into their displays, and I’m sure the public also appreciate the work done by business owners to help Harrogate looks its very best for the festive season.


Read more:


Matthew Chapman, the manager of Harrogate BID, said:

“Since it featured on the Channel 5 documentary ‘Harrogate: A Yorkshire Christmas’ the shop window competition has continued to thrive, and it’s the businesses who take part that we have to thank for its ongoing success.

“The town centre shops, cafes and hotels have been beautifully presented this year, with the competition giving an incentive for business to go all-out.

Harrogate Christmas Shop Window Competition Results

Overall Winner: ​

The Yorkshire Soap Company, James Street

Large Shop Winner:  ​

Bettys Café Tea Rooms, Parliament Street

Highly Commended: ​Weetons Food Hall, West Park

​​​Medium Shop

Winner:​The Yorkshire Soap Company, James Street

Highly Commended: ​Helen James Flowers, Station Parade and ​Baroque Hair, Kings Road

Small Shop

Winner: ​Sophie Likes, Beulah Street

Highly Commended: ​Imagined Things Bookshop, Montpellier Parade and​​​​Bacchus Wine Bar, Station Parade

Representatives from Sophie Likes collect award for winning the small shop category.

Representatives from Bettys with Clare Granger, Mervyn Darby and (right) Dan Siddle.

Helen James Flowers was highly commended.

 

 

Harrogate woman celebrates 103rd birthday

A Harrogate woman celebrated her 103rd birthday last weekend.

Phyllis Elldrige, who is a resident at Manor House care home, on Cornwall Road, was born on November 18 1920, in Hampshire.

Phyllis worked as a nurse and trained in infectious diseases, before moving to the North in the 1950s and working in a handicap hospital in Wetherby.

Ann Lazenby, manager of Phyllis’ ward, told the Stray Ferret Phyllis initially went to Manor House for a two-week respite period in early 2022, but “enjoyed the company so much” she decided to stay.

Ms Lazeby added:

“She was walking up until six months ago. She was even doing her washing just before she came to us.”

Phyllis, who is the oldest resident in the care home, marked the occasion with a party.

Residents and staff gathered to enjoy a Bettys-themed afternoon tea and a singer to entertain them all.

Phyllis’s children, who are now in their 70s, live in Australia but visited her a few weeks prior to her birthday to celebrate.

Ms Lazenby added:

“Phyllis is very comical, very loving and very caring.

“It is an honour to care for her.”


Read more


 

Bettys unveils Christmas window display in Harrogate

Hundreds of people gathered outside Bettys in Harrogate today to watch the tearoom unveil its fifth annual Christmas window display.

Carol singers, minced pies and hot chocolate added to the festive atmosphere as the excitement mounted.

Staff worked through the night to finalise the display, which features numerous presents. Then finally at 5.30pm this afternoon, a countdown began and the fruits of the staff’s work became apparent.

The Parliament Street tearoom is regarded as Bettys’ flagship store and marks the start of Christmas for the town’s most famous brand.

You can see a video of the big reveal on the Stray Ferret’s social media channels.

Crowds gathered on Parliament Street.


Read more:


 

Rock stars rave over ‘nectar of paradise’ in Harrogate

Bettys has long been popular with visitors to Harrogate, but the business gained two more high-profile fans this month when Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp dropped in. 

The couple were in town to play a gig at the Royal Hall and later took to social media to pay effusive tribute to the tearooms. 

In their latest YouTube post, Robert, who is widely regarded as one of the world’s best guitarists, called Bettys “a quality establishment which resonates”, and said: 

“I’d been to Bettys in York before, which was superb, but this was something of a pilgrimage.” 

Toyah added: 

“You may think we’re complete idiots for being so in love with this experience, but it was the heart and soul of humanity. We could talk to everyone, everyone really cared, it was kind, it was utterly amazing.” 

They described a cake they’d saved from their visit as “the nectar of paradise” and “a relic from the shrine of St Betty”. 

Toyah, 65, is best known for her string of hit singles in the early 1980s, including It’s a Mystery, I Want to be Free, and Thunder in the Mountains, but has also had a long acting career on both stage and screen. 

Robert Fripp, 77, was the founder of progressive rock band King Crimson and has also collaborated with the likes of David Bowie, Blondie and Talking Heads.

The couple have been married since 1986 and came to national attention during the Covid lockdown, when they started their YouTube channel, Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch. 

In their latest post, their praise was not just confined to Bettys – they loved the whole town. 

Toyah said:

“Robert’s never been to Harrogate and he absolutely loved it, and I loved it too. It’s such a special place, and if ever you’re visiting the UK or just having a holiday in the UK, and you’ve not been to Harrogate, go – it’s beautiful!” 


Read more:


 

Yorkshire Kardashians venture on ‘reet posh’ trip to Harrogate

The Yorkshire Kardashians ventured to Harrogate for a “reet posh” weekend away in a recent social media video.

The creator of the videos, Steff Todd, shares the lives of the northern characters on Facebook and Instagram – from being banned from Amber Cars to family trips t’Asda.

The video follows the Kar-Jenner clan on their jollies as they explore all the town has to offer, including a day at the Great Yorkshire Show and two-for-one cocktails at The Yorkshire Hotel – all thanks to a Groupon deal.

The newlywed Kourtney and Travis Barker are pictured ice-cream-in hand outside the Black Sheep Bar at the showground, while ‘momager’ Kris Jenner is heckling Emmerdale’s Paddy Kirk in the sheep ring with repeated ‘ey-up Paddy’s!’

Kylie and Kendall Jenner are then seen walking a multitude of dogs in the town complaining about their mother ‘getting half-cut at Fountains Abbey’ and planning their ‘cocktails with the lasses’ later that day.

The family even swoon over a house near Risplith as ‘it looks like the Omaze house’, which Kris reassures Khloe she “put a tenner on to win last night, lass”.

As their weekend continues, the family prepare for the main event: two-for-one cocktails at the “reet posh place”, the Yorkshire Hotel. Although, not before Kourtney asks the hotel staff if there’s a vending machine nearby for her husband is “right hungry”.

When speaking to a friend who has recently moved to Harrogate, eldest Kourtney adds:

“So, you live in ‘ere in Harrogate? Flippin ‘ell…you’ve done well, haven’t you?”

The family bring their Harrogate weekend to a close with a trip to Bettys, where they have a “stunning view, even with the roadworks overlooking the war memorial and a glass of Prosecco in hand”.

The light-hearted video shows Harrogate in all its glory, with shots of the town centre, the Stray and villages across the district.

Comedian and impressionist Steff Todd told the Stray Ferret she began her Kardashian videos in lockdown, when she decided to combine Kylie Jenner with a Yorkshire accent.

The fictitious characters have also travelled to York, Ilkley Moor and Whitby.

The Harrogate video has amassed nearly 40,000 likes on social media.


Read more:


 

Yemi’s Food Stories: A ‘sweet day’ at Bettys Cookery School

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in last year’s BBC TV’s Masterchef  competition. Every Saturday Yemi will be writing on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food  and sharing cooking tips– please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.  

 


‘Push, push, push; stop and twist’ was the mantra at the end of my day at Bettys Cookery School. Let’s get back to the start of my day so you know how I ended up with a mantra and a tip that you will find useful.

Bettys is a Harrogate institution and thousands of people are welcomed each year for the Bettys experience. As a local, I am not surprised that every guest we have wants to visit Bettys and some repeatedly so.

For lingering memories of your Bettys experience, you can shop at the end of your meal, order Bettys products for home delivery or better still, sign up for their cookery school so you can take that knowledge home with you. 

I signed up for the pastry class which I knew would give me different skills. 

Lisa Bennison, the chef tutor, joined Bettys to gain work experience as part of her training from York Cookery School and never left. She has spent 37 years in different roles with the past 20 years at the cookery school.

She loves teaching basic principles, sharing fail-proof tips on how to get the perfect results whilst encouraging everyone to embrace and learn from any mistakes. 

Our day started with warm chocolate pastries with a choice of coffee or tea before we moved on to the first demo.

The pastry class includes making Bettys signature lemon tart and profiteroles. You learn how to make sweet tart pastry, perfectly roll out your dough, line your tart tin and create your tart cases without any cracks or accidents. You then move on to making the lemon filling before learning about the importance of timing and temperature control to correctly manage all elements. 

Salmon salad

Whilst our tarts were baking, we sat down to a gorgeous meal of salmon salad with garlic roasted potatoes with choice of wine or non alcoholic drinks. The strawberry cheesecake dessert was divine and went well with a hot drink. 

And we were off to the second half of the day after proudly checking out and taking pictures of our lemon tarts. 

Next we learnt how to make a choux pastry, knowing what to look for to ensure we get the perfect glossy consistency to ensure a perfect rise. 

Then came the mantra of ‘push, push, push; stop and twist’. This is how to perfectly pipe out your profiteroles to get the even round shape. Hold your nuzzle down directly on the baking tray and pipe gently moving up whilst thinking of the mantra. 

This easily became a song in my head and we all had a laugh knowing we would be reciting it every time we pipe our choux. 

Off we went to make our choux pastry and then came the piping and mantra with many still a bit scared they would pipe it wrong. My first few attempts were hit and miss but Lisa gave me some tips and using them, I decided to re-pipe all my choux and I was happy with them.


Read more:


The crème patisserie and the chocolate ganache were the last two elements that we learnt how to make whilst the choux buns were baking. Other tips include looking for the v-drop of your choux pastry for the right consistency and don’t be afraid to let the choux make contact with the pan when cooking. We are tempted to constantly stir but we don’t need to do that and once it starts to leave a film on the pan base, it’s cooked. 

A great idea for couples

As with all things Bettys, the experience is well crafted starting with a team of people that made you feel welcome, a knowledgeable tutor who loves her job, stunning cutleries for your drinks and meals; plus table setting and food that made you feel like you were in Bettys tea room.

The facilities were top notch with enviable range cookers and adequate work surfaces for all participants. It was obvious they didn’t cut any corners in creating a cookery school to be proud of. 

Participants were across all age ranges, careers, had limited to good knowledge of food and came from as far as London. It was a day to make new friends, learn new skills, surprise yourself with your creations to wow friends and family, enjoy the Bettys experience beyond dining in the restaurant and most importantly take home the skill to occasionally recreate some Bettys signature creations.

A Bettys cookery school experience is a great idea for couples, hanging out with friends or co-workers, a gift for the budding or hesitant cooks in your life and would be perfect alternatives to hen-dos with everyone learning a skill for life. 

The icing on the cake was taking home all your creations after eating the ones made by the chef tutor. 

With classes including three-course meal, chocolate and bread making, patisserie and macarons, there is something to learn. The classes fill up quickly so get booking for a fabulous foodie day.