Our Story

Hello, from the farmhouse kitchen.

My ambition to create a cookery school began beside the stove in a frenetic catering kitchen. I always loved the buzz of great ingredients and squeaky fresh produce delivered each morning, but I wanted to take the kitchen door closer to the garden and create an environment to inspire every willing cook with the ability to create from scratch. Relying on and maintaining a well-stocked store cupboard, as well as experience the joy of growing a few soft herbs for an omelette or home grown flowers for the kitchen table is the essence of our cookery here.

We moved to All Hallows in the late autumn of 2013, the weather was cold and grey but our enthusiasm for the possibilities within this Georgian farmhouse surrounded by a brick walled garden never faltered. Ironically I had fallen in love with the house in 1998 when I visited for the first time in the hope to rehome a black Labrador. Thereafter visiting the owner often and adopting two more of her dogs over the years. But we never, ever envisaged that we would relocate here and be able to follow my dream of inspiring others to cook and share delicious food.

My food has always been led by seasonal influences, building lasting relationships with local suppliers, but since moving to the farmhouse I recognise a shift from complicated dishes to a yearning for ‘pass and share platters’, piled generously with simply cooked fayre to encourage gathering around a table rather than standing on ceremony! Making guests feel at home is key, rather than stuffy pretention. But equally important is the ability to develop and encourage classic cookery skills within everyone. Once mastered, these will be valued every day forward.

Over the years the business has grown. We have welcomed visitors from far and wide to learn, stay and cook whilst always maintaining our proud Dorset roots. To enjoy the everyday, just as we do at All Hallows, we have now added a store filled with treats, beautiful kitchen linens and useful cookware especially for your kitchen and garden.