If you’re looking to expand your cooking skills and artisan food knowledge, Hartingtons School of Food & Drink in the heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District is just the place.

Hartingtons was opened in 2010 by Julie and Chris Horne, and is located in a converted saw mill near the centre of Bakewell – an historic and thriving market town surrounded by beautiful countryside. At the school you can experience everything from cookery demonstrations, to hands-on full-day courses, to masterclasses with some of the UK’s most acclaimed chefs.

More than 20 food and cookery experts deliver the courses at Hartingtons, including ex-Savoy chef Robert Stordy, chocolate expert Fiona Sciolti, River Cottage cheese maker Chris Ashby, celebrity chef Rachel Green and bread guru Mick Saxton.

“We love real food made by artisan producers,” says Chris. “This inspired us to develop a range of courses to teach the curious how to make artisan food, including producing your own cheese, preserves, breads and beer.

“We have also developed a series of classes to teach and inspire those who want to turn an interest in artisan food into a business.”

Having attended a preserving course at Hartingtons, Great Food Club writer and food blogger Helen Tarver wrote:  “If you’re looking to expand your preserving skills then book a place on the Artisan Preserves, Oils and Dressings course at Hartingtons. You’ll learn how to make chilli jam and fruit jelly, as well as finding out how to flavour oils and make vinaigrettes. It’s a great course and a lovely environment to learn in.”

Great Food Club’s suggestion is to combine a course at Hartingtons with a stay in Bakewell that coincides with the town’s superb farmers’ market, the second largest in the UK, which takes place on the last Saturday of the month (except in December).

You can read the Hartingtons blog here.