Food Matters at the Barn opens it’s doors

A cookery school offering classes in practical family cooking has been officially opened on the outskirts of Rathfriland, Co Down. Food Matters at the Barn on the Whitegate Road is the business dream of Heather Henning, a Food Science graduate from Queen’s University, Belfast.

From her wealth of experience working in the food industry specialising in food hygiene training, Heather noticed a lack of confidence in people cooking conveniently for their families yet their desire to create nutritious meals.

Over the past number of months, Heather has converted a garage attached to a historic barn into a fully fitted cookery school able to take up to four students and will provide morning and evening classes over a six week period with all food prepared taken home by the students for their families.

Speaking of her venture, Heather said, “My aim is to help people become better cooks enjoying the satisfaction of home cooked food for their families to savour. Our increasingly busy lives means we are often relying on convenience food and hence we are losing home cookery skills.

“No one is to be embarrassed by their level of cooking ability prior to signing up for the course – it’s designed to improve confidence and ability to do a wide range of tasks in the kitchen, all that is required is a desire to want to be a better cook!

“I have devised a six-week course covering a range of recipes designed for cooking family meals that are both nutritious and cost-effective. With a small class size, lessons are relaxed and there is plenty of time to ask questions and gain top tips as you practically develop your own cookery skills.

“I appreciate that lives are busy so as the courses run continuously, if you are unable to attend one class, space permitting, you can come back for that particular lesson during the next cycle.”

Mindreader David Meade was on hand at the opening to pick up some top cooking tips from Heather: “I am delighted to perform the official opening of Food Matters at the Barn. I wish Heather all the very best as she seeks to make better cooks around the countryside.”

Classes will begin in October running on Tuesday evenings and Thursday and Saturday mornings. To check availability, call Heather on 07968 346 293.

For more information on classes, visit the website or follow on Instagram.