The new food school, located near Lechlade in Gloucestershire, opened Spring 2010.
Thyme at Southrop's exciting course programme has been developed to provide the highest quality and enjoyable experience and to teach people how to "sow, grow, pick, cook, serve, drink, eat" in a sensible, sustainable and ultimately congenial and pleasureable way.
Setting
Thyme is located on the beautiful Southrop Manor Estate, deep in the rural Cotswolds. The Food School is located in the restored Tithe Barn, with its soaring entertainment space. The L-shaped kitchen, fitted with two huge ultra-modern island units, was designed to be practical, yet beautiful and a pleasure to work in. The configuration allows for cooking individually or convivially. Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances were chosen by Caryn Hibbert, Thyme's owner, for the exceptional sturdiness of their design, the great control they provide and to exemplify the blend of professional and domestic.
Culinary Building Blocks
Every course at Thyme has been designed to give participants the confidence to become great, creative and responsible home growers, cooks and entertainers. Thyme at Southrop's five culinary building blocks are: Sowing and Growing; Sourcing; Skills and Technique; Flavour and the "Art of the Table". Every course will include at least two of these elements.
Days of Discovery
Thyme at Southrop specialises in one day classes on topics from growing herbs and vegetables to forgotten skills like butter making and preserving, to journeys of discovery dedicated to single ingredients such as pepper.
They offer cooking demonstrations, tastings and hands-on, skills-based cooking days for kitchen novices and masters with an emphasis on locally grown and crafted ingredients.
They work with an exciting team of predominantly locally based chefs, supplemented by a growing roster of visiting chefs and experts.
A typical course day starts at 10am and ends at 4pm, following a convivial lunch enjoyed in the splendour of the Tithe Barn or al fresco in the olive grove courtyard.
Bespoke Days of Discovery
Thyme at Southrop is available for private hire for tailor-made courses, private events and celebrations, country pursuits, team building away days and festive feasts.
The Thyme Larder
The school's location in the rural Cotswolds enables us to work with the highest quality, fresh, seasonal and often locally distinct and traditional produce from small family farms and artisans.
The Thyme Larder is literally the school's pantry and everyone attending Thyme is given a listing of ingredients available from local suppliers, foragers and producers.