The National Cookery School Guide has just launched revealing the 50 most influential and ground-breaking cookery schools in the UK. South Devon's, Kingswear based Manna from Devon Cooking School, run by David and Holly Jones, has been included in this list, positioning the school alongside the very best in the country.

The cookery schools have been selected by a distinguished panel of 15 contributing editors, ranging from BBC Good Food to Olive Magazine. It is being run in association with Kenwood.

Commenting on this recent news, Holly Jones, co-owner of Manna from Devon Cooking School, says: “We're honoured to have been included in this highly prestigious list of the top 50 cookery schools. To be placed alongside the likes of Leith's, Edinburgh Cookery School and Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons is something we could not have imagined when we established the cooking school just over ten years ago.” Adding to Holly's comment, David says: “We have worked extremely hard over these years to build a name for ourselves both for more traditional cookery courses, such as bread making and fish, as well as creating a niche in offering cooking with a wood fired oven courses which sets us apart from others.” The wood fired oven trend is set to be even bigger in 2017.

The National Cookery School Guide will also offer a simple 'one-stop-shop' Gift Card scheme that, for the first time, allows people to purchase a gift card redeemable across all the schools in the guide. There will also be a regularly updated Journal with the latest cookery school news as well as recipes. Commenting on the launch of the Guide, the team behind it says: “it's what the nation of cooks has been waiting for'.

David and Holly Jones have recently become the brand ambassadors for Morsø Wood Fired Ovens adding another string to their bow. Holly, whose formal training was at Leith's cookery school, is Manna from Devon's expert in seafood, and now, to add to her repertoire, is teaching the wood fired oven courses alongside David. Both run the school group classes and are now available to teach private classes, either in their purpose-built wood fired kitchen or in situ with your wood fired oven at home.

If you can think of someone who would thrive in the heat of a wood fired cooking course at Manna from Devon, they are now selling gift vouchers, ready for Christmas. Just visit http://www.mannafromdevon.com/gift-vouchers-2/ or buy vouchers from the National Cookery School Guide.

For forthcoming dates and to book one of their courses visit http://www.mannafromdevon.com/cookery-courses/ or call 01803 752943. Follow Manna from Devon on Twitter (@mannafromdevon), Facebook (facebook.com/mannafromdevon) or Instagram (mannafdevon)

ENDS

“Without wishing to gush, if you are getting a woodburning oven you really should do the course. In fact, I'd say it's essential.” Xanthe Clay

Notes to editor:

1. Established in 2006, Manna from Devon Cooking School is run by Holly and David Jones who teach cooking skills to small groups in the relaxed environment of their Victorian home, positioned in an area of outstanding natural beauty in Kingswear, South Devon. The stylishly decorated, homely kitchen and the recently revamped and extended outdoor decking overlook simply stunning views across the Dart estuary to Dartmouth. In addition to the main kitchen, there is a second kitchen that is in the style of a bakery. As always, Manna from Devon only use locally sourced ingredients, cooking recipes and dishes the owners have discovered during travels around Europe and Asia.
2. Holly Jones studied at Leith's School of Food and Wine and is a chef with twenty years experience. She has written many articles and books, has appeared on UK television, trained chefs from many organisations, run cafés and restaurants and answered questions as resident chef on the BBC's Food website. Holly also served as an army officer for three years.
3. David Jones served as an officer in the Royal Navy followed by a decade as a management consultant. Both careers took him all over the world, which is why he is now happy to have settled and re-trained as a baker and wood fired oven cooking expert.

For further information, photography, an interview with David or Holly, or a press visit to Manna from Devon Cooking School, please contact:

Hannah Waite at RAW PR and Marketing – hannah@rawprandmarketing.co.uk;
Tel: 07877 455084; @RawSW